UTKARSH DWIWEDI UPSC 2021-22 Rank-5

Utkarsh Dwivedi, hailing from Ayodhya but settled in Indore for over a decade, achieved an impressive 5th rank in UPSC CSE 2021. His journey to success was marked by three attempts, with his third being triumphant. After completing his graduation in Mechanical Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology, Utkarsh turned down a Public Sector Unit (PSU) job to pursue his passion for civil services. He scored 1036 marks overall, with 168 in Paper 1 and 146 in Paper 2 of his optional subject, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR). His commitment to service is rooted in his belief in empathetic governance and effective administration.

Utkarsh completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, Indore. and later pursued Mechanical Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT). Despite having a job offer from a PSU, he chose to focus entirely on his goal of clearing the UPSC exam. His decision to prioritize his ambition of becoming a civil servant shows his dedication and strong sense of purpose​.

Utkarsh’s family originally from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, currently resides in Indore, where he has been living for over 12 years. His father holds a senior managerial position in an FMCG company, while his mother is a homemaker. His brother is pursuing BACHELORS OF COMMERCE from a reputed college in Indore. He acknowledges the role his family played in motivating him through the rigorous preparation​.

Utkarsh’s inclination toward civil services stemmed from his desire to serve the nation and bring about meaningful change. He believes in empathetic governance, where bureaucrats and the administration focus on helping those in need. His ambition to contribute to the country’s development was a driving force throughout his preparation. He has consistently shared in interviews that the motivation behind his UPSC journey is the ability to bring about positive changes and to stand for justice​.

Utkarsh’s journey was not easy, marked by two failed attempts in 2019 and 2020. He appeared for the interview twice but didn’t make the final cut, scoring 160 marks in his first interview and 157 in the second. The setback of narrowly missing out did create moments of self-doubt, but he remained determined, learning from his mistakes each time. Despite the personal challenges and the emotional toll that repeated failures took on him, Utkarsh maintained his perseverance and resilience. The final result in 2021 was a testament to his hard work and continuous self-improvement​.

For Prelims:

Utkarsh emphasized solving previous years’ question papers and practicing mock tests. He attempted over 90 questions during the actual exam, as he believed a higher attempt rate was necessary due to the unpredictable nature of the paper. He regularly revised his notes and ensured proper analysis of both correct and incorrect answers to strengthen his preparation.

For Mains:

Utkarsh tailored his preparation for Mains by focusing on the dynamic nature of General Studies Paper 3. He recommended covering all the topics comprehensively while keeping up with current affairs. He used handwritten and digital notes, especially using apps like Evernote, to organize topics by subject​. Utkarsh Dwivedi advises UPSC aspirants to select optional subjects based on their personal interests rather than following the choices of high achievers or popular suggestions. This approach allows students to become more engaged and gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

• Consistent newspaper reading aids in clarifying concepts and bolstering one's grasp of national, social, and international affair
• Additionally, he recommends that students take their own notes while reading newspapers, books, or journals
• These notes prove invaluable in the final stages of the exam, when time is limited, as they facilitate revision of previously acquired knowledge and make information retrieval more efficient.
• Avoid any form of interaction with individuals at the center, both before and after the exam. Refrain from discussing the paper until the mains officially conclude.
• Prioritize completing the paper over striving for perfection in answers, ensuring no questions are left unaddressed towards the end.
• A fully answered paper with above-average responses greatly enhances your chances of securing an interview.
• This advice comes from someone who has undergone three interviews across three attempts.
• If possible, aim to provide comprehensive responses throughout the paper. Quantity of content does matter. However, this shouldn't lead to a situation where you find yourself rushed in the final half-hour.
• Focus on four key aspects:
  • Address what is specifically asked, not just what you know.
  • Recognize subparts and address each of them.
  • Do not overlook writing introductions and conclusions.
  • Utilize contemporary examples to support your points.
  In terms of UPSC preparation, he advocates the regular perusal of newspapers like The Hindu, Indian Express, and Mint.
• Remember, this is a test of your mental and physical resilience. Don't give up until the very last moment of the second paper in the optional subject.
• If a paper doesn't align with your expectations, don't be disheartened. You might still excel and become the top scorer in that particular paper (as happened with me in my optional).
• In UPSC, uncertainty is the only constant. Therefore, never let yourself panic in any question.
• If you're uncertain, don't fret. Attempt to write down whatever you can. Every mark counts.
• The essay paper holds significant weight and can be quite challenging. My scores for the last two years in the essay section were 103 and 111, respectively.
• It's crucial to allocate ample time to grasp the essay topic. If you've accomplished this, you've already made significant progress in the essay paper.
• Starting with the 15-mark questions can be beneficial. Strive to extract the maximum marks from these questions.

For Interview:

He practiced with multiple mock interviews to improve his performance after not securing the desired marks in previous attempts. Despite feeling negativity after earlier interviews, he persevered and remained focused. His strategy included improving on feedback from mentors and refining his responses​.