Bharti Gairola secured Rank 18 among Deputy Education Officer in the Uttarakhand Provincial Civil Services (UKPCS) 2021 exam.
Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, consistent answer-writing practice, and unwavering faith in the face of multiple exam setbacks.
Key Highlights of Her Success:
- Motivation: Her inspiration for civil services began during her schooling at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, where interactions with visiting administrators fueled her goal to contribute positively to society.
- Exam Strategy: She emphasizes that the preparation for each stage (Prelims, Mains, Interview) is distinct. She stresses that answer writing is the most crucial component for the Mains exam.
- Overcoming Failures: After an unsuccessful attempt in 2017, she changed her approach for the 2021 exam by:
- Forming a study group for daily answer writing practice.
- Religiously attending real-time tests at Samveg IAS.
- Comparing her answers with top-scoring copies to identify gaps.
- Study Resources: She recommends focusing on the Economic Survey, Ajay Rawat’s history book, and keeping a close watch on newspapers for current data.
- Mental Resilience: Dealing with the long examination cycle and setbacks requires strong support from family and friends. She highlights the importance of not giving up despite feelings of self-doubt.
- Mistakes to Avoid: She advises against relying solely on reading many books. Instead, she emphasizes note-making and consistent revision as the keys to success.
- Handling Exam Hall Pressure: She shares her experience of having a momentary “blackout” during the exam, noting that taking a deep breath and trusting one’s hard work helps in overcoming panic.
- The Role of Mentorship: She credits the guidance and structure provided by Samveg IAS and her peers as vital in giving her efforts the right direction.