Every year, we see many aspirants who put in a bid to pass the UPSC Civil Services Exam, but only a few end up making their dreams come true. Out of them is the story of Laghima Tiwari, which is very inspiring. She got an excellent All India Rank (AIR) of 19 in the UPSC CSE 2022 exam. What made her achievement all the more outstanding is that she did it at the very first try.
Born in Alwar in the state of Rajasthan and brought up there, Laghima went on to get a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering from DTU. Although she came from a technical background, she chose a very different path, which took her into preparation for one of India’s toughest exams.
The Power of Consistency
One that stands out from Laghima’s experience is the value of consistency. We see in her that success according to the UPSC doesn’t require 12- 14-hour study sessions daily, which is what many believe. Instead, she put forth the value of regular and dedicated effort. What we see is that a little bit of study every day pays off better than intense study for a few days and then burning out.
As a participant in many a competitive exam preparation myself, I have found this advice to be very practical. Many of our fellow aspirants experience burnout from overly ambitious study plans. What Laghima suggests is that what really matters is persistence over perfection.
Choosing the Right Optional Subject
Laghima chose Anthropology as her optional subject. While in school, she did Biology and Anthro, which was a choice that fit her interests and strengths. That decision paid off for her in the end, as it helped secure good marks in the exam.
She spent most of her time in self-study. Instead of putting in a lot of trust in coaching institutes, what she did was to study from standard books, follow current affairs, take mock tests, and watch topper interviews, which were available online. This shows that with the right resources and discipline, expensive coaching may not be the only requirement.
Interview Experience and Challenges
UPSC interview, which is also put forth as the Personality Test, is a very unpredictable element of the exam. For Laghima, we found that she prepared a great deal on current affairs and also went over her Detailed Application Form. Also, she took part in mock interviews to boost her confidence.
Interestingly, in that interview, she was asked about the origin of her atypical name, and she also talked about Project Tiger and the Swachh Bharat Mission. What stood out was her composure and how well she answered, which in turn paid off for her in the end.
Lessons for UPSC Aspirants
Laghima says that which is for aspirants should put more time into what they have already studied, and out of that which is to stop constantly searching for new resources. Also, she puts forth the value of learning from errors that we make in mock tests, and which in turn insists that main preparation should start right after the prelims.
Her journey highlights an important truth: Success in UPSC is not a preserve of the extraordinary. With the right planning, consistency, self-belief, and smart preparation first time candidates also can do excellently.
Conclusion
Laghima Tiwari’s story is a testament that tells us that with dedication and consistency, we may overcome the greatest of challenges. She did what her family dreamed of and, at the same time, inspired thousands of UPSC aspirants in the process. For any person who is preparing for the civil services exam, her journey is proof that with discipline, patience, and perseverance, we may achieve the extraordinary.
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