14. Toppers Talk with Aditi Varshney (Rank 57)

Elaborate Notes

Introduction and Preparation Philosophy

Aditi Varshney, securing All India Rank 57 in her first attempt as an online student, underscores a preparation philosophy centered on self-analysis and adaptability. Her journey highlights that a successful strategy is not a rigid template but a customized approach tailored to an individual’s strengths and weaknesses. The period between Prelims and Mains was constrained, which necessitated a highly efficient and targeted preparation model, focusing on high-yield activities like intensive answer writing and synoptic note-making. This approach challenges the traditional long-drawn-out preparation cycles, suggesting that with a strong foundational base, focused effort in the crucial months can yield exceptional results.

Prelims Strategy

• Balancing Static and Current Affairs: The contemporary trend in the Civil Services Preliminary Examination leans heavily towards current affairs. However, this does not render the static portion obsolete. As Varshney advises, the static syllabus forms the conceptual bedrock upon which current events are contextualized. For instance, a question on a new monetary policy tool (current) can only be understood with a firm grasp of the basics of macroeconomics (static). Her strategy implies a smart allocation of effort: mastering the core concepts from standard sources and then using current affairs to build upon that foundation. The focus on “repeated news” is a crucial insight, suggesting that UPSC tends to probe issues of sustained national or international importance rather than isolated daily events.
• Revision and Interdisciplinary Learning: The problem of knowledge retention is a significant challenge for aspirants. The “forgetting curve,” a concept in memory studies, illustrates how information is lost over time when there is no attempt to retain it. Varshney’s strategy of dividing the day into three slots for different subjects directly counters this. This method, known as “interleaving,” has been shown to be more effective for long-term retention than blocking subjects. It forces the brain to switch between different modes of thinking, thereby strengthening neural pathways. Furthermore, this approach naturally fosters interdisciplinary connections, which is invaluable for both Prelims (where questions often cut across subjects) and Mains (where holistic answers are rewarded).
• Mock Tests and Self-Analysis: The purpose of mock tests extends beyond mere practice. Varshney emphasizes self-analysis, which involves a deep dive into performance metrics. This includes identifying conceptual gaps (incorrect answers), knowledge gaps (unattempted questions), and strategic errors (incorrectly marked known questions or poor time management). This data-driven approach allows an aspirant to “customise the preparation,” focusing remedial efforts where they are most needed. Her optimal attempt range of 80-85 questions is a strategic sweet spot, balancing the need to maximize scores against the risk of negative marking, a calculation every serious aspirant must make based on their own accuracy rates in mocks.
• CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test): The increasing difficulty of the mathematics section in CSAT has made it a significant hurdle. Her strategy is pragmatic:
  1. Prioritize Comprehension: Begin with the reading comprehension section, which is often scoring for those with good reading speed and accuracy.
  2. Selective Approach to Maths: Identify strong areas within the quantitative aptitude syllabus and focus on mastering them. This aligns with the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule), where a majority of results come from a minority of efforts.
  3. Avoid Ego Traps: Do not get stuck on a single difficult question. Time is a critical resource, and it is more efficient to move on and attempt other, potentially easier, questions.

Mains Strategy

• The Primacy of the Syllabus: The UPSC Mains syllabus is the definitive guide for preparation. Varshney’s emphasis on knowing “each and every topic” is a cornerstone of effective preparation. This allows an aspirant to filter relevant information from the vast sea of data available, particularly from newspapers. For example, when reading about a Supreme Court judgment, a syllabus-aware aspirant can immediately link it to GS Paper II topics like “Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary” or “Separation of powers.”
• The Iterative Process of Answer Writing: The fear of writing imperfect answers often leads to procrastination. Varshney advises to begin writing even before content is fully consolidated and to focus on incremental improvement. The process involves writing an answer, getting it evaluated (or self-evaluating against model answers), identifying shortcomings (in structure, content, or presentation), and incorporating feedback into the next attempt. Starting with individual answers and gradually scaling up to full-length 3-hour tests simulates exam conditions and builds the necessary mental and physical stamina.
• Achieving Originality and Differentiation: In a competitive examination where most candidates use similar sources, differentiation is key. Varshney identifies originality not as the discovery of new facts, but as a unique synthesis of existing knowledge. This can be achieved by:
  • Value Addition: Leaving space in static notes to add contemporary examples, committee recommendations, or relevant data from sources like the Economic Survey or NITI Aayog reports.
  • Multidimensional Examples: Providing 3-4 diverse examples to substantiate a point, drawn from different sectors or regions, demonstrates a broad perspective.
  • Conciseness and Precision: Writing “less but to the point.” This requires a deep understanding of the topic to distill the most critical five points rather than providing a superficial overview of many.
• The Art of Inter-linkage: This is a higher-order skill that distinguishes a good answer from a great one. The example of weather forecasting illustrates this perfectly. A basic answer would discuss its scientific aspect (GS-I/III). An advanced, inter-linked answer would connect it to:
  • Economy (GS-III): Impact on agriculture (crop planning), tourism (seasonal planning), and energy sectors (renewable energy generation).
  • Disaster Management (GS-III): Role in early warning systems for cyclones, floods, and heatwaves.
  • Society (GS-I/II): Effects on public health (predicting disease outbreaks) and livelihoods of farmers and fishermen.
  • Governance (GS-II): Use in policy-making for water resource management and food security.

Essay Strategy

The increasing abstraction and philosophical nature of essay topics requires a shift in preparation. Varshney’s approach is methodical:

1. Acceptance and Adaptation: The first step is to accept that philosophical topics are the new norm and to prepare accordingly, rather than hoping for a return to purely thematic essays.
2. Deconstruction of the Topic: Spend adequate time (20-30 minutes) brainstorming and breaking down the essay prompt. For a topic like “Moral courage is more important than physical courage,” one must define both terms, explore their interplay, and provide examples from history (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela), contemporary society, and personal life.
3. Diversity over Depth in a Single Dimension: A good essay explores multiple dimensions of a topic. Instead of writing extensively on one historical example, it is more effective to bring in diverse perspectives from social, political, economic, ethical, and international contexts. This demonstrates a well-rounded understanding.
4. Clarity and Structure: Using short sentences and paragraphs enhances readability and ensures that the argument remains clear and focused. This is particularly important for complex philosophical ideas, where convoluted language can obscure the intended meaning.

Optional Subject Strategy (Sociology)

• Interest as a Deciding Factor: The choice of an optional subject should be driven by genuine interest and comfort with the subject matter. The sheer volume of the optional syllabus requires sustained effort, which is difficult to maintain without a natural inclination towards the subject.
• Syllabus-Driven Approach: For Sociology, Varshney, having a background in the subject, bypassed standard books and adopted a syllabus-first approach. This involves taking each topic from the syllabus (e.g., “Thinkers like Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber”), making comprehensive notes, and supplementing them with current examples from newspapers. For instance, an article on the gig economy can be linked to Marx’s concepts of alienation or Weber’s on rationality.
• The Role of Mock Tests: High-frequency mock tests for the optional subject are crucial. They help in mastering the specific terminology (jargon), practicing the application of sociological theories to contemporary issues, and managing time effectively, as optional papers are often lengthy.

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Prelims Pointers

• The proportion of questions from current affairs is increasing.
• The static syllabus remains the indispensable foundation.
• Give special attention to news items that feature repeatedly over several months.
• For CSAT, the mathematics section is becoming more difficult; do not neglect it.
• In the CSAT paper, attempt the comprehension passages first.
• A dedicated, focused preparation of one and a half months can be sufficient for Prelims if fundamentals are strong.
• Practicing with Previous Year Questions (PYQs) is essential to understand the exam’s pattern.
• Science & Technology questions are predominantly oriented towards current developments.
• An ideal number of attempts in GS Paper I is around 80-85 questions.
• In the exam hall, do the questions you are certain about in the first reading.
• Avoid getting stuck on difficult questions; prioritize time management.
• Leave questions about which you have absolutely no idea to avoid negative marking.

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Mains Insights

The Philosophy of Answer Writing and Content Building

• Debate on When to Start: Aditi Varshney’s strategy suggests a middle path in the debate between “start writing from day one” and “write only after completing the syllabus.” Her approach is to first achieve a foundational consolidation of content and then begin the iterative process of answer writing and improvement. This implies that initial answer writing efforts are more productive when backed by a basic level of knowledge, preventing demotivation from writing poor-quality answers.
• Perfectionism vs. Completion: Her advice, “Instead of focussing on perfection, try to give your 100%,” addresses a common psychological barrier. The goal in the Mains exam is not to write a single perfect answer but to complete all 20 questions to a reasonably good standard within the time limit. This pragmatic approach prioritizes consistency and completion over a futile chase for perfection in a few answers at the cost of others.

Strategy for Scoring High: Originality and Inter-linkage

• Cause-Effect of Inter-disciplinary Approach: The ability to “connect the dots” between different subjects is a significant force multiplier for marks. Cause: Linking a concept from one GS paper to another (e.g., linking wetland conservation under GS-III Environment to its role in urban flood mitigation under GS-I Urbanization). Effect: This demonstrates a holistic and analytical understanding to the examiner, moving beyond siloed, textbook knowledge. It signals that the candidate can think like a generalist administrator who must deal with complex, multi-faceted problems.
• Originality as Synthesis, Not Invention: The “originality” she mentions is not about presenting novel research but about creating a unique synthesis. By integrating static knowledge with tailored, contemporary examples drawn from newspapers, committee reports (e.g., ARC), and economic surveys, an answer stands out. This addresses the challenge of homogeneity in answers, where most candidates rely on the same few standard coaching material examples.

Structural Elements of a High-Scoring Answer

• The Power of a Forward-Looking Conclusion: The recommendation for conclusions to be “futuristic and optimistic” with a “forward-looking approach” is a crucial insight. A conclusion should not merely summarize the answer. It should offer practical, balanced, and actionable solutions. This elevates the answer from a mere academic exercise to a policy-oriented response, which is highly valued in a civil services examination.
• Syllabus-Centric Note-Making: Her strategy of organizing notes strictly according to the syllabus topics is an efficient knowledge management technique. Cause: This method ensures that all parts of the syllabus are covered and prevents the aspirant from getting lost in irrelevant information. Effect: During revision, it allows for quick retrieval of information. For answer writing, it helps in structuring answers by directly addressing the micro-topics mentioned in the syllabus.

The Interview Stage: DAF as a Pre-Interview Script

• DAF as a Strategic Document: Her perspective on the Detailed Application Form (DAF) highlights its importance. It is not a mere form-filling exercise but the primary source document from which a significant portion of the interview is scripted. Implication: Every word, hobby, and achievement mentioned should be chosen carefully and prepared thoroughly. Mentioning a hobby like painting and the prizes won, as she did, provides the interview board with concrete, positive talking points and allows the candidate to steer the conversation towards their areas of strength.