Why upsc is considered the toughest exam in the whole world?
Last Updated: 27.06.2025 08:43
If we haven’t met, my name is Suryansh Sodhani.
Dare you, peep in your neighbour's notebook. After all, it is a national-level competitive exam - people tend to be extremely competitive. Tough days…
It was summertime in Delhi. I was allotted a far-off centre in Najafgarh.
Appeared for the exam and instantly knew I would not be making it this time!
“All of these students are great from an academic point of view. They have always scored 90%+ during their school days, some have even scored 9.6 CGPA and above during their 10th boards.”
I lacked a mentor when I needed one.
500 students in each batch. God forbid if you were late to the class - you would have to push your way through the seats. (Old aspirants reading this know which institute I am talking about).
And, after all, it was a matter of great pride and respect.
Relatively in a better position after my exam failures, but a void still exists!
I did not move for the next 30 minutes..
.
And, so I began preparing for the exam with high hopes and determination.
The batch sizes were huge!
I was determined to clear the exam and then go back home.
Cleared multiple of them
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I was alone in Delhi back then
And crushed myself and ‘my expectations’ on it.
Immediately after this conversation, I left the institute.
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But, then it hit me hard.
.
I hurriedly opened the holy PDF.
2017 June - I appeared for the first time for the UPSC Prelims (after a year-long preparation)
You would have to be on your toes. If your mind drifts apart for even a second, you will lose your chain of thoughts and notes.
Thousands of students swarming in Old Rajendra Nagar.
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Worked for a marketing agency
It is almost impossible.
I was constantly staring into the ground
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Nevertheless, I hustled my way through the coaching program.
The struggle was real. The teacher would non stop go through his lecture, and explain the concepts/ theory/ ideas etc.
I looked around me
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Your credentials do not matter!
Found an empty bench..
And entered the park.
Is it possible to revive a dead person in real life with black magic?
Cut to 2-3 months post prelims. Results were declared.
Also, simultaneously prepared for other exams
I had heard rumours going around that the results had been declared.
“Suryansh, let me tell you something. Do you feel the best of the best students from all over India prepare for this examination?”
Searched for my roll number.
“I, too, was an aspirant, 20 years back. I have met board toppers, state board toppers, and college toppers with more than 9+ CGPA who prepare for this exam.”
Anyway!
After checking the PDF, I chained my cycle to a lamp post ..
I said, “Yes! I believe so.”
And..
So, yes, the UPSC is considered the toughest exam in the world because there is a ‘luck’ factor coupled with subjectivity in the exam process.
I was cycling from one of my coaching institutes back to my PG.
A gazillion thoughts running through my mind.
2016 I graduated from college. The same year I began preparing for the UPSC.
And, now working as a digital marketing freelancer for international clients.
Keep your ego aside.
“But, it is nearly impossible for one to predict who will make it to the ‘holy list’. Yes! I can say that if an aspirant who has done X, Y, and Z can increase their chances of selection, but it is just not enough. There is always a matter of luck (or, probability).”
Each class used to be 2.5 hours each. Making it a total of 5 hours of coaching classes daily. The classes used to be 7 days a week.
I write answers on Quora that help UPSC and other government exam aspirants.
A sense of grief and toil had taken over me.
“I have more than 20+ years of teaching experience.”
Do drop in a message, would be happy to talk.
All achievers in their own way.
I parked my cycle near one of the parks en route to my PG.
And, I had not made it.
I remember the very next day my coaching institute professor telling me -
This exam has its own way of humbling you.
If one says, they can help you crack the exam with X AIR, it is difficult to do so.
This exam has an element of probability that no one can predict.
In case you are wondering, how did my story end?
I prepared for the next 3 years (2016 to 2019)
I vividly remember that evening.
I joined two coaching institutes - One for mains preparation and one for my optional subject.
I did not go back to my home.
Dropped them
There is no mathematical formula where you know that if the inputs are controlled, you can achieve X outcome.
In my head, it was a do-or-die situation for me.
So, hopefully, my answers help aspirants who need help.
This is the very reason you will hear IIT, IIM, AIIMS graduates failing to clear the UPSC.
It lasted approximately 10 months.
All the best!