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UPSC Topper 2021: Female Dominance, Analysis, Insights and Preparation Strategies

PWOnlyIAS February 10, 2024 08:42 2747 0

Discover the top performers of UPSC Topper 2021, their strategies, and insights for success. Learn from female dominance and strategic brilliance.

UPSC Topper 2021:  Female Dominance, Analysis, Insights and Preparation Strategies

UPSC Topper 2021: Female Dominance in Civil Services Exam

Union Public Service Commission has released the list of the toppers of the result of Civil Services 2021. This year witnessed the top three positions bagged by female candidates. Shruti Shrama has clinched first rank in UPSC CSE 2021 exam followed by Ankita agarwal second and Gamini Singhla third rank.  In this article we will see the top three UPSC CSE 2021 toppers, their background, their strategy and every aspect which will be helpful for the aspiring candidate. But before going further let us look at the structure and mark distribution of the UPSC CSE exam

Journey of  Becoming a UPSC Topper 2021: Analysis and Insights 

Union Public Service commission is a constitutional body of India that organises Civil Services Exam (UPSC CSE) every year. The candidates who get selected get to serve the nation at administrative posts of the various government departments and many other Group A services. Candidates who score highest marks after clearing all the levels of this exam declared as UPSC Topper and entitled to join All India Services which are (IAS: Indian Administrative Service, IPS: Indian Police Service), IFoS: Indian Forest Services). In this article we will discuss the process to become UPSC Topper and analyze the marks scored by UPSC toppers over the years but before proceeding further let’s know about this exam UPSC CSE for clarity.

Structure & Stages of UPSC CSE Exam: Prelims, Mains, Interview

UPSC CSE Exam Pattern: Prelims, Mains, and Interview Structure

  • UPSC CSE Prelims: GS and CSAT Exam Details

    • This stage of the exam has two objective-type papers: General Studies (GS I) and Civil Service Aptitude Test (CSAT).
    • The General Studies paper has 100 questions on various subjects, each carrying 2 marks totalling 200 marks.
    • Preliminary exam serves as a screening test, and its scores are not considered for the final ranking.
  • UPSC CSE Mains: 7 Papers, Optional Subjects, and Ranking Criteria

    • Consists of 7 descriptive papers with 250 marks each.
    • Essay Paper
    • General Studies Paper I: 250 Marks
    • General Studies Paper II: 250 Marks
    • General Studies Paper III: 250 Marks
    • General Studies Paper IV: 250 Marks
    • Optional Paper I: 250 Marks
    • Optional Paper II: 250 Marks
    • Marks obtained in all these papers contribute to the final ranking.
    • The Mains Exam assesses in-depth knowledge, understanding, and analytical abilities in various subjects related to forestry, environmental science, and other relevant areas.
  • UPSC CSE Interview 2021: Selection Criteria and Final Ranking

    • Candidates who clear the Mains Exam are eligible for the interview stage.
    • The interview will carry 275 marks (with no minimum qualifying marks).
    • The interview assesses the candidate’s suitability for a career in the Indian Forest Service.
    • Successful candidates in the interview stage are ultimately selected for various posts within the Indian Forest Services.
    • Marks obtained in the interview, combined with Mains Exam scores, determine the final ranking.

UPSC Topper 2021: A Closer Look

  • UPSC Topper Definition- A candidate is declared UPSC topper who achieves exceptional success in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India annually. 
  • Selection Process- The UPSC topper is decided on the basis of cumulative performance in the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and the Interview (Personality Test) stages.
  • Recognition- The tag “UPSC topper” specifically denotes the candidate who secures the highest rank in a given year’s Civil Services Examination.
  • Positions and Services- UPSC toppers are recruited for various prestigious civil services positions, including IAS, IPS, and IFS, among others.

UPSC Topper 2021

UPSC Topper 2021: Notable Achievements and Top Performers

The UPSC Topper 2021 for CSE is Ishita Kishore. She secured the first position in the UPSC CSE 2021 exam results. Following her, Garima Lohia and Uma Harathi N secured second and third positions in the UPSC 2021 topper list. It is the first time that there are four girls in the top five candidates. Now let us see the individual performance of the toppers.

UPSC Toppers List 2021

Rank Name Marks
1st Shruti Sharma 1105
2nd Ankita Agarwal 1050
3rd Gamini Singhla 1045
4th Aishwarya Verma 1039
5th UTtkarsh Diwedi 1036
6th Yaksh Chaudhary 1033
7th Samyak S Jain 1031
8th Ishitha Rathi 1030
9th Preetam Kumar 1030
10th Harkeerat Singh Randhawa 1026

UPSC Topper 2021 Rank 1 Holder: Shruti Sharma

UPSC Topper 2021

Subjects  Marks Obtained 
Essay 132
General Studies-I 119
General Studies- II 128
General Studies- III 108
General Studies- IV 139
History optional Paper- I 150
History Optional Paper- II 156
Written Total 932
Personality Test 173
Final Total 1105

Scorecard of Shruti Sharma of UPSC CSE 2021

UPSC Topper 2021 Shruti Sharma Preparation Strategies 

  • Prelims strategy of UPSC Topper 2021 Shruti Sharma

    • Shruti headed towards her preparation by a unique approach instead of following others’ advice, she developed her own methods tailored to her understanding.
    • She has started her preparation since 2017 beginning with studying NCERTS.
    • Once getting the idea of the importance of current affairs in the IAS exam, she regularly read newspapers to stay updated on national and international events. To keep the check of preparation she took an online test series.
    • Making notes while studying proved beneficial for her revision.
  • Mains Examination strategy of UPSC Topper 2021 Shruti Sharma

    • She heavily depended on the internet and focused on practicing answer writing for the Mains exam.
    • She opted history as an optional subject and  emphasized the importance of selecting the right optional subject, as it contributes for a significant portion of the final marks.
    • Shruti’s strategy revolved around her notes which she prepared during preparation. At the last time before examination her notes played an important role for revision.
    • She heavily relied on her notes and extensive answer-writing practice for the Mains exam. While she was optimistic about her performance, topping the merit list was a pleasant surprise.
    • Her key to success was patience throughout the preparation
    • She prioritized quality learning over the number of study hours
    • Shruti had a study schedule but limited her study sources.
    • During revision, she avoided taking up new books or studying.
  • Interview Preparation strategy of UPSC Topper 2021 Shruti Sharma

    • Taking mock interview programs of various coachings.
    • Watching the interview of candidates on you tube.
    • Revision of graduation subjects.
    • Cultivating a hobby for getting an extra edge during an interview for getting more marks in overall marks.

Rank 2 Holder: Ankita Agaral 

UPSC Topper 2021

Subjects  Marks Obtained 
Essay 129
General Studies-I 135
General Studies- II 121
General Studies- III 12
General Studies- IV 112
Political Science and International Relations optional Paper- I 155
Political Science and International Relations optional Paper- II 147
Written Total 871
Personality Test 179
Final Total 1050

Scorecard of Ankita Agarwal of UPSC CSE 2021

Ankita Agarwal Preparation Strategy

  • Ankita adopted both methods of preparation self-study and coaching for her UPSC preparation.
  • She believed that a balance between the two is crucial for a candidate’s success.
  • Started UPSC preparation four years ago, focusing on basic books and staying updated on current
  • Devoted significant time to exam preparation, aiming for 8-12 hours of study daily.
  • Emphasized maintaining a balance by also prioritizing health, family, and friends.
  • Took breaks and spent time with friends to unwind and relax.
  • Prioritized sustainable study schedules over fived study hours
  • Developed a study timetable and limited study sources.
  • Avoided picking up additional books or study materials during revision

Prelims Strategy

  • Stayed updated on current affairs through newspapers and monthly magazines,
  • Created digital notes for better organization and ease of revision.
  • Translated study materials into her own language to facilitate easier understanding and revision.

Mains Strategy

  • Practice Tests and Mains Preparation:
  • Solved test series to gain sufficient practice before the actual exams
  • Focused on answer writing practice for the Mains examination
  • Chose Political Science and International Relations as her options subject for the Mains.

Tips shared by Ankita for aspiring candidates

  • Allocate at least one year for UPSC CSE preparation.
  • Develop an action plan to kickstart your preparation Journey.
  • Plan your UPSC CSE preparation meticulously.
  • Create a realistic and achievable study schedule.
  • Use a calendar to track your goals for better organization.
  • Avoid confusion by limiting your study material.
  • Choose a few books and resources and stick to them.
  • While the internet is a valuable knowledge source, be cautious of overuse.
  • It takes time to establish a preparation routine that suits you.
  • Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Take mock practice exams for both prelims and mains.
  • UPSC exam preparation is challenging, so stay motivated.

Rank 3 Holder: Gamini Singhla

UPSC Topper 2021

Subjects  Marks Obtained 
Essay 125
General Studies-I 132
General Studies- II 122
General Studies- III 126
General Studies- IV 111
Sociology optional Paper- I 152
Sociology optional Paper- II 148
Written Total 858
Personality Test 187
Final Total 1045

Scorecard of Gamini Singla of UPSC CSE 2021

Gamini Singhla Preparation Strategy

She firmly believes that there are many unique ways to qualify for the examination. One cannot and actually should not be stuck to one particular method and way of qualifying for the UPSC Examination. 

  1. Importance of Reading NCERT BooksGamini emphasized the importance of thoroughly covering NCERT books (Class 6 to 12) for a rock solid foundation in UPSC preparation. She advised aspiring candidates to  prioritize NCERT over other references, citing the direct and indirect influence of its content on exam questions.
  2. Self-Study as a key player- She stressed that her UPSC success is attributed to her 9-10 hours of daily self-study, emphasizing its efficacy over coaching. She believes self-study reveals personal strengths and weaknesses, asserting that success ultimately hinges on disciplined individual effort.
  3. Crafting a realistic Study Plan- Facing initial setbacks, Gamini rebounded by developing a comprehensive study plan, securing the 3rd rank in 2021. She advised candidates to create a realistic plan rather than fancy or motivated plan to start covering both prelims and mains, with clarity on the syllabus and essential subjects.
  4. Staying Updated with Current Affairs- Gamini reiterates the importance of regular newspaper reading and follows one monthly magazine diligently. In addition she also stressed that newspapers and monthly publications play a pivotal role across all three stages of the UPSC examination—prelims, mains, and the interview.
  5. Importance of personalized Notes Making- Gamini firmly believes that creating one’s study notes is the most effective approach to UPSC exam preparation. This method not only enhances self-evaluation but is deemed indispensable for success. According to her philosophy, the three Rs—Read, Revise, and Re-Revise—are pivotal to mastering the civil services examination.
  6. Use of Mock Tests in UPSC Preparation- Gamini advised candidates to solve previous years’ UPSC questions and rigorous mock test practice for both prelims and mains. For mains, consistent writing practice is crucial.
  7. Leveraging Online Resources Wisely- Gamini leveraged online resources when faced with topics not covered in standard books. She underscores the importance of reading only relevant study materials due to the abundance of content available on the internet.

Insights from UPSC CSE 2021 Toppers: A Tale of Female Dominance and Strategic Brilliance

The recent UPSC Civil Services Examination results of 2021 highlight a notable shift with female candidates securing top positions. The achievements, strategies, and backgrounds of toppers Shruti Sharma, Ankita Agarwal, and Gamini Singhla provide invaluable insights for aspiring candidates. Their stories emphasize the importance of a meticulous study plan, staying updated with current affairs, personalized notes making, and judicious use of online resources. These toppers exemplify that UPSC success demands a combination of hard work, adaptability, and a personalized approach.

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The toppers highlighted are Shruti Sharma, Ankita Agarwal, and Gamini Singhla.

The success stories of toppers offer insights into the achievements, strategies, and backgrounds of the toppers, stressing the importance of a proper and realistic study plan, staying updated with current affairs, personalized notescreation, and judiciously using resources.

Aspiring candidates can gain valuable insights into effective study strategies, staying informed, note-making techniques, and leveraging online resources by learning from the experiences of these toppers.
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