Kshitij Aditya Sharma, who secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 384 in the UPSC CSE 2023, provides valuable insights into his preparation journey, particularly highlighting the transition from a corporate law career to preparing for one of the toughest exams in the country.
Background and Initial Career Choices
Kshitij's academic journey began at the prestigious NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, where he completed his graduation in law in 2019. Post-graduation, like many of his peers, he embarked on a career in corporate law, securing a position in a corporate law firm in Mumbai.
Why Civil Service?
For two and a half years, he worked in this demanding field, gaining significant experience in corporate litigation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 became a turning point in his life, prompting him to reconsider his career choices.
Kshitij explains that during the pandemic, being homebound allowed him to reflect on his career and the larger purpose he wanted to serve.
The uncertainties and challenges faced by people during this period made him reassess his priorities. He realised that his expectations from his job had evolved, and he yearned for a career that had a broader impact on society.
This introspection led him to resign from his corporate job in October 2021 and set his sights on the Civil Services Examination.
Transition to UPSC Preparation
The decision to prepare for the UPSC CSE was not entirely out of the blue. Given his academic background in law, choosing law as his optional subject for the examination was a natural choice.
However, Kshitij candidly admits that the transition from a corporate law firm to UPSC preparation was not an easy one. The initial stages of preparation, particularly for the 2022 prelims, were challenging.
Due to the time constraints, he found himself underprepared for the examination, especially for the mains, where he couldn’t devote sufficient time to optional subjects.
Handling Failure in Prelims
Despite the setbacks in his first attempt, Kshitij did not lose heart. Instead, he doubled down on his efforts post the 2022 prelims.
The experience of facing the exam underprepared made him more determined. He dedicated the next few months to thoroughly preparing for the optional subjects and focusing on areas where he had previously faltered.
This disciplined approach paid off in his subsequent attempt, where he achieved a commendable rank.
Strategic Preparation for Law Optional
For aspirants who are still in law school or recent graduates considering UPSC CSE with law as their optional subject, Kshitij offers some strategic advice. He emphasizes the importance of starting preparation early, ideally during the final years of college.
This approach not only provides ample time to build a solid foundation but also allows one to balance college studies with UPSC preparation effectively.
Importance of Dukkis in Law Optional Preparation
Kshitij’s preparation strategy for law optional involved a mix of standard textbooks and the infamous 'Dukkis'—concise summaries of various subjects often used by aspirants for quick revision.
However, he is quick to point out that Dukkis alone are not sufficient for developing a foundational understanding of the law. For subjects like Constitutional Law, he recommends starting with comprehensive texts like V.N. Shukla’s *Constitutional Law of India*.
After building a solid foundation, aspirants can then use Dukkis to refine their understanding and for quick revisions closer to the exam.
Kshitij's preparation for subjects like International Law and Law of Crimes followed a similar pattern. He started with standard books and then supplemented his notes with material from Dukkis.
For instance, he initially attempted to prepare for International Law using Shaw’s textbook but found it too philosophical and not directly aligned with UPSC’s requirements. He later switched to Kapoor’s book, which he found more practical and aligned with the demands of the examination.
Balancing Current Affairs with Law
One of the critical aspects of preparing for the UPSC CSE is integrating current affairs with static portions of the syllabus. For law subjects, this is particularly important as the field is dynamic, with significant developments happening regularly.
Kshitij relied on a combination of sources for current affairs, including newspapers like *The Hindu* and *LiveLaw*, as well as the weekly modules provided by his coaching institute(De Facto IAS).
He regularly updated his notes with recent case laws and judgments that were relevant to his optional subject.
Kshitij advises aspirants to be mindful of the balance between static and current portions of the syllabus. While current affairs are important, the core concepts and traditional topics form the backbone of the answers in the mains examination.
Current developments should be used to enhance answers, especially in the concluding sections, where recent cases or changes in law can demonstrate an aspirant’s awareness and understanding of the evolving legal landscape.
Challenges and Coping Strategies
The journey to clearing the UPSC CSE is often a long and arduous one, fraught with challenges and moments of self-doubt. Kshitij openly discusses the emotional and mental challenges he faced during his preparation.
One of the most challenging phases, according to him, was the period leading up to the prelims. The prelims stage is known for its unpredictability, and the fear of being eliminated early in the process can be overwhelming.
To cope with these challenges, Kshitij focused on maintaining a steady momentum post-prelims. He believes that once an aspirant clears the prelims, the momentum can carry them through the remaining stages of the examination.
He also highlights the importance of having a clear reason for pursuing the Civil Services, which can serve as a constant source of motivation. For Kshitij, reminding himself why he left his corporate job to pursue this path helped him stay focused and motivated during difficult times.
Interviews and Personality Test
The final stage of the UPSC CSE, the personality test or interview, is often considered the most unpredictable part of the process. Kshitij’s interview experience, however, was favorable as the panel focused heavily on his area of expertise—law.
He recounts that approximately 40% of the questions during his interview revolved around legal topics, particularly environmental law, competition law, and international humanitarian law.
Kshitij observed that candidates who were quizzed extensively on their optional subject during the interview tended to score higher marks.
This might be because the panel could assess the depth of knowledge and clarity of thought in a subject the candidate is supposedly well-versed in. He emphasizes the importance of being well-prepared in one’s optional subject for the interview, as it could be a significant advantage.
Plan B , in case Civil Service don't workout
As Kshitij reflects on his journey, he offers some final advice to aspirants who are currently preparing or considering preparing for the UPSC CSE. He acknowledges that having a plan B, such as a fallback career option, is a prudent strategy given the unpredictable nature of the examination.
However, he cautions against becoming too comfortable with the idea of a plan B, as it might lead to complacency in preparation.
Prelims Preparation
For those facing the daunting challenge of the prelims, Kshitij advises focusing on the basics. He believes that despite the increasing unpredictability of the prelims paper, there are still 30-40% of questions that can be answered if one has covered the standard sources thoroughly.
The remaining questions can often be tackled with peripheral knowledge gained from newspapers and other sources.
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