“Learn to be comfortable with uncertainties”: UPSC AIR 165 Sanskriti Singh on her preparation, self-study, and Plan B

Every year, lakhs of aspirants across India take the UPSC Civil Services Examination, aiming to secure a place among the country’s top bureaucrats. For Sanskriti Singh, who secured All India Rank 165 in the CSE 2025 exam, the journey was filled with self-study, mock tests, and learning to manage uncertainty. Her story highlights the combination of strategy, resilience, and mental balance required to succeed in one of the country’s toughest examinations.

Recalling the moment she first saw her result, Sanskriti admitted the first reaction was disbelief. Speaking to The Times of India, she said, “I could not believe that my name was in the PDF. Someone in a Telegram group had said the result would come in an hour, but when I checked after just a minute, it was already there. I even thought it might be a fake PDF and checked two or three times through different links. It hasn’t completely sunk in yet, but I was so happy.”

Her path to success was largely built on self-study, combined with disciplined mock practice and careful time management. “I focused on regular mock tests and keeping to a strict study plan,” she said, adding that these habits helped her stay on track even during stressful weeks before the exam.

Academic journey and early inspiration

Sanskriti completed her schooling at Indirapuram Public School, Ghaziabad, and went on to pursue Economics Honours from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. She began preparing for UPSC immediately after graduation, balancing her academic knowledge with the unique demands of the civil services syllabus.

When asked what inspired her to pursue a career in civil services, she explained, “There were no plans as such. But in the second year of college, I joined a society called Nishtha at Hansraj College. Through that, I got the inspiration to work in public service.” The experience gave her a sense of purpose and the motivation to work towards a role in public administration.

Her first attempt at the UPSC examination did not go as planned, as she could not clear the prelims. “I took it as a learning experience. The first attempt taught me what I needed to focus on and how to structure my preparation better for the next attempt,” she said.

Strategy for mains: Syllabus, previous year questions, and time management

Sanskriti emphasised the importance of focusing on the syllabus and previous year questions for mains preparation. “The most important thing for mains is a special focus on the syllabus and previous year questions. Previous year questions are the key pillar around which preparation should be based. Mocks should be practiced within the time period—around 7 minutes for a 10-marker and 11 minutes for a 15-marker,” she said.

She admitted that time management was a challenge even close to the exam. “I remember I could not complete my papers even a week before the mains examination, so I was under immense pressure during the last week. Regular mock practice really helps to improve speed and structure,” she added.

Sanskriti also shared that having a clear plan and sticking to it was critical. “Preparation has to be systematic. You cannot leave gaps in your syllabus or practice. The combination of focused study and consistent mocks really builds confidence for the day of the exam,” she said.

Managing stress and maintaining mental balance

Not only is the preparation for the UPSC examination intellectually challenging, but it is also mentally draining. According to Sanskriti, the importance of maintaining hobbies and personal interests during the preparation for the UPSC examination cannot be overlooked for the mental health of the student.

“I think we should continue pursuing our hobbies and interests alongside UPSC preparation, especially if we are preparing full-time without a job, because it does take a toll on mental health,” she said. For her, sports provided a way to relax. “I used to watch cricket matches, the Olympics, and other sporting events. That helped me unwind during preparation,” she explained.

She also stressed the importance of being comfortable with uncertainty. “In this examination, you have to learn to be comfortable with uncertainty. Even if you work hard, this exam involves a lot of unpredictability. Having a plan B is a good option. It gives you satisfaction that even if anything goes wrong, it’s not the end of your life,” she said.

Self-study approach and advice for aspirants

Unlike many aspirants who rely heavily on coaching institutes, Sanskriti’s preparation was largely self-directed. “I did take a mock test series for the mains examination. Else, it was all self-study,” she said.

She believes that confidence and self-belief are critical for success. “Believing in oneself is very important. Even if you are a little underconfident about your preparation, you have to believe in yourself so that you can do your best on the day,” she said. Before entering the prelims hall this year, she told herself, “Sanskriti, you don’t have to worry about anything. Just be fearless and everything would be fine.”

Her strategy shows that to succeed in UPSC, one must have appropriate knowledge, practice, mental toughness, and clarity of thought. For students who are planning to write their exams in future cycles, Sanskriti’s journey provides valuable lessons. These include being disciplined, focusing on basics, engaging in hobbies, and gaining confidence to deal with the uncertainty of the exam.

The upcoming UPSC Civil Services Examination is scheduled to be conducted on May 24, 2026.
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