Yakshi Arora Rank 7 UKPSC 2021: Deputy Collector
The UKPSC Upper PCS 2021 result turned a childhood question into reality. Yakshi Arora Rank 7 UKPSC 2021 secured the post of Deputy Collector. Moreover, her goal took shape on the day an SDM handed her a tablet.
She spoke with Dheeraj Karki in a success talk with SAMVEG IAS. So, here are the key lessons from her journey.
Major Highlights of Yakshi Arora’s Interview with Samveg IAS
A Tablet, an SDM and a Dream
Her inspiration came right after Class 12. Under a government scheme, merit students received tablets. Interestingly, an SDM handed Yakshi her tablet. She noticed his car and bodyguards. So, she asked her father who he was. Then she asked, “Can I become one?”
At that time, she had no idea about the exam or the syllabus. Therefore, she first completed her BSc and then her MSc. Later, she had to choose between a PhD and civil services. Finally, she chose civil services.
Prelims: Prepare Deeply Once
Yakshi was preparing for UPSC. However, her first prelims in 2020 did not go through. Then, before the 2021 exam, she gave four to five dedicated months to prelims. After that, she cleared several prelims, including the High Court RO exam.
In fact, she once cleared the PCS prelims with only about 20 days of preparation. “If you prepare prelims properly once, nothing can stop you,” she says. Sometimes, though, quick revision meant studying through the night.
Mains Strategy of Yakshi Arora Rank 7 UKPSC 2021
For mains, she followed a simple rule: cover the syllabus and take mock tests. Good mock tests are designed to cover the syllabus step by step. So, she relied on them for mains and even for the interview.
Also, she sees the new mains pattern as a positive change. It now closely matches UPSC. Hence, a UPSC aspirant can write PCS mains too. They only need to prepare Papers 5 and 6 well. For the full pattern, read our UKPSC Upper PCS exam guide.
Writing Skills: Learn from Topper Copies
- First, pick a question from a topper’s copy and write your own answer.
- Then, compare it with the topper’s answer. As a result, you learn what a standard answer looks like.
- Next, note your gaps and good arguments in a separate notebook.
- However, never copy-paste arguments. After all, the next exam will ask different questions.
Also, keep paper-specific introductions and conclusions ready. For polity, recall the relevant Articles. For history, remember key leaders and years. For economy, quote the Budget and the Economic Survey. For example, note Uttarakhand’s present GDP and the government’s aim of a “Sashakt Uttarakhand”.
Why a Mentor Matters
A mentor shows you where you go wrong. For instance, her mock interviews revealed a weak Uttarakhand portion. So, her mentors advised her to read Pariksha Vani line by line. Then, for 15 days during the classes, she read the whole book. Each day, she also revised the previous day’s reading. According to her, a mentor can be a teacher, a friend or a relative who has cleared the exam.
Handling Negativity and Social Media
Negativity is natural in a long exam cycle. Therefore, talk to your parents, family and friends who are also preparing. Share your low days, and listen to theirs too. After all, you are all in the same boat. Also, keep a hobby like a morning walk, painting or cooking. Then, return the next day ready for the next fight.
Social media was a real issue for her. She feels it even added to her rising glasses number, along with studies. Although she is not on social media platforms, scrolling still pulled her in. So, she installed a no-scroll tool and deleted her watch history. Moreover, she used the Pomodoro technique: 45 minutes of study, then a 15 to 20 minute break.
Keep a Plan B
Focusing on one exam for two or three years is fine. However, if the journey stretches to three or four years, pause and think. Then, consider other exams as well. That way, you will not feel demoralised if one plan does not work.
Her Success Mantra
Yakshi gives credit to God, her parents, her brothers, her friends and her mentors. Her father always supported her financially. Also, he kept people’s comments away from her. Moreover, her mother’s prayers kept her going. Every candidate works hard, she says. Still, Yakshi Arora Rank 7 UKPSC 2021 credits her loved ones for this success.
Association with SAMVEG IAS
Yakshi joined our Interview Guidance Programme (IGP), which included offline orientation classes and mock interviews. When the result came, she spoke to Samveg Sir. He reminded her that hard work brings selection. However, reaching the Deputy Collector post is also God’s grace, so she should never forget it. She says she has remembered this ever since. Indeed, the credit for the journey of Yakshi Arora Rank 7 UKPSC 2021 belongs to her own effort.
Watch the full interaction with Samveg IAS:
Check out all our students who cleared UKPSC Upper PCS 2021.