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Bhopal-born Jagrati Awasthi placed second in the 2020 civil services examination. Awasthi’s childhood dream was to become an IAS official, and she succeeded on her second attempt. You may read more about the optional subject, preparation method, and other details of this IAS topper in this article.
| Full Name | Jagrati Awasthi |
| Profession | IAS Officer |
| From | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Graduation | B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from MANIT, Bhopal |
| Experience | Worked with BHEL for 2 Years |
| UPSC Attempt | CSE 2019 – Prelims not qualified CSE 2020 – Selected with AIR – 2 |
| Optional Subject | Sociology |
| Other Exam Qualified | GATE 2017 with AIR 51 |
| Parents | S.C. Awasthi (Doctor) & Madhumita (Former Teacher) |
| Siblings | Suyash (pursuing MBBS) |
| Hobbies | Public Speaking, Event Organization, Listening to Bundelkhandi Music |
| Cadre | Prefers Home Cadre (MP) |
| Coaching | Online coaching only (Unacademy platform) |
Table of Contents
Jagrati Awasthi: Tips and Strategies
Jagrati had more time to study because of the pandemic and she totally made the most of it. She even used the negativity around her to push herself harder. In her own words, “many people don’t even have enough to eat, so with this privilege, I got to work hard to give back!”
Just like many toppers, Jagrati also stressed on the importance of current affairs. The Hindu, Vision booklets and Civils Daily were her go-to sources.
Now, about the books. Jagrati relied on a mix of online resources and common study materials. NCERTs were a big part of her foundation for subjects like history, geography, polity and economics. For some other subjects, she used coaching notes and standard references.
Here’s a trick she used to increase her study hours. She started with 8-10 hours a day and gradually increased it to 12-14 hours closer to the exam.
Cracking the Prelims was all about understanding the exam pattern for Jagrati. She practiced a lot with previous year papers and mock tests. And even though she was an engineering grad, she didn’t neglect the CSAT portion.
For the Mains, her focus shifted to answer writing. She practiced a lot by referring to Vision’s Mains 365 and test series from IAS BABA. The important thing she learned was to improve based on the feedback she received.
Finally, the interview round! Jagrati says staying updated on current affairs is important here. Basically, the interviewers want to see if you’re aware of what’s happening around the world and how it affects people’s lives.
Remember, the UPSC journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be moments of stress, but Jagrati says to stay calm. This exam can change your life and empower you to make a positive difference!
Highlights of Jagrati Awasthi’s UPSC Preparation Strategy
Jagrati’s journey from an engineering background to achieving her dream of becoming an IAS officer serves as an inspiration for UPSC aspirants, showcasing the importance of dedication, hard work, and a well-structured preparation strategy.Here are some important highlights from her journey:
- Preparation Approach: She utilized an 8-10-12-14 approach to gradually increase study hours.
- Resources:
- Current Affairs: The Hindu, Vision booklet, Civils Daily.
- Books: Utilized standard textbooks and coaching notes.
- Subject-wise Preparation:
- History: Spectrum, NCERT, Satish Chandra.
- Art and Culture: Coaching notes, NCERT.
- Geography: NCERT.
- Environment: Shankar IAS book.
- Polity: Laxmikant.
- Economics: NCERT, Mrunal sir notes.
- Science and Tech: Current Affairs Sources.
- Preliminary Exam Strategy: Advised aspirants to understand the exam’s demand, practice previous year papers, and took mock tests regularly. And give attention to CSAT despite an engineering background.
- Mains Exam Strategy: She focused on writing descriptive answers within the allotted time frame. Supplemented answers with current affairs from Vision’s Mains 365 and practiced answer writing through IAS BABA’s TLP Series Mains.
- Interview Tips: She stressed the importance of awareness of current affairs, daily life issues, and educational background. Also,stressed on remaining vigilant throughout the process and staying calm despite stress.
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