UPSC CSE 2024 Toppers: After failing in his first attempt, Delhi's Aakash Garg bags AIR 5
–Vikas Sharma
UPSC CSE 2024 Results: While he failed to crack the civil services exam prelims in his first attempt, Delhi 's Aakash Garg has shown an example of determination by not just qualifying UPSC CSE 2024 but also grabbing an All India Rank (AIR) 5. Graduated in 2022 in Computer Science Engineering, Aakash has been preparing for the exam since then. He opted for Sociology as an optional subject for UPSC prelims and focused on static portion, current affairs, and read newspapers regularly.
'For CSE prelims, I solved as many mock questions as possible, including CSAT. I focused on answer writing and covering my optional subject well for the UPSC Mains followed by rigorous CA assessment for the final stage,' said Aakash.
Garg used standard UPSC books like NCERT, Indian Polity – M Laxmikanth, Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania, Introduction to the Constitution of India by DD Basu, Geography of India by Majid Husain, among others. These basic books, along with reading daily newspapers and test papers, helped the 24-year-old to crack the exam. Being a morning person, Garg used to study 6-7 hours daily and work on completing daily targets. He used to spend evenings binge-watching or engaging with his friends.
In his preparation, he also used artificial intelligence in later stages of the exam to refine and structure answers and get new perspectives especially for CSE Mains essay, however, he had to fact check the claims made by AI models as information shared was sometimes incorrect.
When asked how his skills and knowledge of computer science engineering will help in development of the area he want to serve, he said, 'It will help in giving him a perspective regarding emerging role of technology like data driven decision making, simulations etc.'
Further, he shared some tips for UPSC aspirants who will appear for UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 on May 25. Observing that the difficulty level of the exam has been increasing, he advised aspirants to solve questions to find weak spots and avoid committing silly mistakes. He also emphasised to take CSAT seriously.
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