Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself and share your educational background?

Jullay, my name is Rigzen Angmo, and I am one of the qualified candidates from Ladakh in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. I completed my schooling up to the 10th standard in Ladakh, followed by my 10+2 education in Delhi. I then pursued both my graduation and post-graduation in Geology from the University of Delhi. Currently, I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Q. What inspired you to pursue the Civil Services Examination?

I was inspired by observing the impactful work of civil servants and other prominent figures in public service. What drew me most was the opportunity the civil services offer—to channel one’s knowledge, wisdom, and experiences toward the betterment of society. This sense of purpose and intention became my driving force and helped me persevere through the challenges of this demanding examination.
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Q. Was this your first attempt? If not, what kept you motivated after previous setbacks?

No, this was not my first attempt—it was my fifth. The journey has been long and challenging. What kept me motivated was the steady progress I witnessed with each attempt. Despite the setbacks, I felt confident that I was moving in the right direction. As I mentioned earlier, having a strong and clear intention from the beginning made all the difference. I genuinely aspired to a career in the civil services, and that conviction brought consistency and discipline naturally into my preparation.

Q. What was your overall preparation strategy and how did it evolve over time?

I prepared methodically, keeping the syllabus at the core of my strategy. I relied on standard books such as Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum for History, and I supplemented my final notes with content from various other sources.

Over time, my approach evolved from hard work to smart work. For instance, after two years, I stopped reading the newspaper cover to cover, as I had already built a solid foundation in current affairs. Instead, I focused more on taking mock tests and revising my notes rather than re-reading entire books. Another important shift was in my mindset—I began to approach the exam more rationally than emotionally. This change really helped relieve unnecessary pressure and allowed me to stay consistent.

Q. What was your approach towards balancing preparation for Prelims, Mains, and the Interview?

I followed an integrated approach while preparing for both Prelims and Mains, since much of the syllabus overlaps. I only shifted my focus entirely to Prelims about two to three months before the exam, emphasizing full-length mock tests in the MCQ format. Alongside this, I also covered the additional syllabus and wrote test series specifically for Mains.

For the interview stage, I concentrated on improving my communication and clarity through one-on-one discussions on current affairs, and participated in multiple rounds of mock interviews to build confidence and receive feedback.

Q. Which resources did you use for your preparation? Which ones proved helpful?

I primarily relied on standard textbooks for the core subjects. In addition, I supplemented my preparation with credible sources like Sansad TV, Yojana, the Economic Survey, and other official publications. Coaching materials were also particularly useful for covering current affairs topics. Together, these resources helped me compile consolidated, high-quality notes that were crucial for revision and answer writing.

Q. What were the major challenges and setbacks you faced during your preparation?

The Mains stage was the most challenging part of my journey. Initially, I struggled to fully understand the demands of this stage, which led to repeated failures. These setbacks became the most difficult moments, often causing self-doubt and frustration. I would say the emotional lows and the internal battles during these phases were the toughest challenges I faced throughout the preparation.

Q. What are the three things you would suggest every aspirant focus on, and three things they should avoid?

Three things to focus on:
1.    Be honest with yourself about your preparation—acknowledge your strengths and work sincerely on your weaknesses.
2.    Stay connected to your core intention—remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place.
3.    Build discipline and consistency—these are the real drivers of long-term success in the UPSC journey.

Three things to avoid:
1.    Stay away from negative people and discouraging opinions—they can drain your motivation.
2.    Avoid overthinking the outcome; instead, focus on conquering one day at a time.
3.    Don’t fear failure—in UPSC, setbacks are often part of the process. Give yourself the grace to fail, learn, and grow through the experience.
Q. How do you envision contributing to the nation and your community through your service?

I feel truly fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the nation through the civil services. I intend to carry out my responsibilities with honesty, dedication, and sincerity. My journey so far has taught me valuable lessons and given me perspectives that I believe can contribute meaningfully to policy-making and decision-making. I hope to use these insights to bring positive change to society and support the broader goals of national development.

Q. Do you have any message for young students aspiring for competitive exams?

Competitive exams can be extremely demanding—they require hard work, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose. My message to young aspirants is this: if you truly give your 100%, the journey will be rewarding, regardless of the outcome. However, never compromise your mental health in the process. Take care of your mind, your well-being, and your happiness. Success becomes meaningful only when the journey itself is fulfilling. So, strive to find that balance—work hard, stay grounded, and keep learning along the way.

Message to the readers

“Competitive exams require hard work and resilience. Give your 100%, but don’t sacrifice your mental health. Success is about enjoying the journey, so stay balanced, work hard, and keep learning.”