“UPSC is not about talent—it’s about consistency. If I can do it, anyone can.”
This powerful statement from Rajdeep Ghosh, who got AIR 789 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, shows how many people want to serve their country. His tale is unusual not only because he passed the UPSC exam, but also because he passed the West Bengal Civil Services (WBCS) exam with 72nd rank. This shows how dedicated, patient, and strategic he was along the road.
Rajdeep was a classroom student of APTI PLUS- the best WBCS coaching in Kolkata. Rajdeep’s journey is characterised by his unwavering perseverance, adherence to guidelines, and faith in himself. It’s also a story that shows how important it is to have the appropriate mentors.
Background of Rajdeep Ghosh
Rajdeep comes from Nawdapara village in Nadia district, West Bengal, and his journey has been marked by discipline, humility, and a great desire to serve the nation. He attended Ranaghat Pal Choudhury High School and graduated in chemistry (Hons.) from Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur, with First Class. A committed NSS volunteer, Rajdeep actively engaged in community service, reflecting his dedication to societal improvement.
As captain of his college cricket team, he learned about cooperation, leadership, and fortitude under pressure. Rajdeep, a multi-talented and well-rounded individual, combines academic success with a strong sense of duty, discipline, and service. Fluent in Bengali, he stays true to his cultural roots while striving high, making him a really inspiring aspirant with a balanced and focused perspective.
Rajdeep Ghosh AIR 789 Journey
For Rajdeep, the UPSC journey was never a short race; it was always a long one. He is honest when he says, “You can’t master this syllabus in a few months.” It actually took him more than a year and a half to understand the huge syllabus that goes along with the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
He started out slowly. His study strategy changed throughout time and was based on goals that were possible to reach. At first, he enrolled in APTI PLUS classes, which is the best coaching institute in Kolkata for WBCS/UPSC aspirants. He then slowly added 6–7 hours of self-study to his daily schedule. He says that people who work or start late should break up their study time into smaller, more focused areas. Even just one hour in the early morning can make a big difference over time.
This form of time management, along with an organized approach, constituted the basis of his preparation.
Rajdeep’s Smart Strategy for Mastering the Mains
The Mains exam, which many people think is the most important part of the UPSC or WBCS, is where Rajdeep AIR 789 worked on his abilities. He says that a disciplined way of composing answers and focused subject preparation helped him do well here.
Structuring Answers
Rajdeep thinks that clear and organized writing is more important than difficult terminology. His formula was simple but powerful:
Introduction → Body (arguments and counterarguments) → Conclusion
“You don’t need flowery language. You need structure. Explain arguments in favour, arguments against, and then conclude. Always maintain balance,” he explained.
This method not only helped him communicate his thoughts clearly, but it also helped him address both sides of an issue, which is an important ability for civil servants who need to look at problems from different angles.
He also gave useful advice for writing essays: start with a story. He asserts that this approach simplifies the essay and enhances its natural flow, particularly beneficial for students with limited English proficiency.
The Essay Paper
Rajdeep used an analytical but also big-picture approach to the essay. He used the PESTEL framework to look at things from six different angles: political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal. This method made sure that his essays were deep and had several sides.
He stressed that essays based on philosophy should also have real-world applications. He made his arguments more relevant to the real world by using examples from people like Ambedkar or Gandhi or by using basic philosophical notions.
APTI PLUS’s guidance and evaluator feedback helped him improve significantly. “You don’t always need someone to evaluate your essay. Write, read, and self-review,” he encouraged.
GS vs. Optional
Rajdeep handled the General Studies and Optional papers in different ways. For general studies, he kept his responses concise, direct, and well-structured. But his optional subject, sociology, required him to get more involved.
He had chosen Chemistry as an optional subject at first, but after getting only 195, he realized it wasn’t a good fit for him. Changing his major to sociology changed the way he thought. He told them to “Use at least three to four pointers in every answer.” He said that in 2024, the paper was so hard that some candidates were quoting as many as ten pointers in one answer.
“Make a list of pointers. Use at least three to four pointers in every answer.” he shared.
You should take two to three months to thoroughly choose your optional subject. Making a quick choice could cost you a year.
CSE Preparation is 70% Static, 30% Current Affairs
In a world where current affairs dominate discussion forums and YouTube channels, Rajdeep stood firm in his belief:
“70% of your preparation should be dedicated to static subjects.”
He kept his sources limited and consistent:
- Polity – Laxmikanth
- History – Spectrum (Modern), Tamil Nadu board books (Ancient & Medieval)
- Geography – NCERTs + G.C. Leong
- Economy & Environment – BBEC + Current Affairs
- Current Affairs – Plus Magazine and monthly PDFs by APTI PLUS
His advice is simple: Don’t switch between sources. Choose one and stick to it.
Tips for the CSAT Paper
Rajdeep also recognised the growing importance of CSAT, a paper that has quietly become a filter in the prelims stage. His focus was clear:
- Prioritise reading comprehension—aim to get 20+ out of 28 correct
- Practice basic arithmetic: percentages, profit-loss, number systems
- Avoid the trap of overly complex topics like permutations or probability
Thanks to his focused approach, he cleared CSAT with confidence.
The UPSC Interview Tips 2025: Just Be Yourself
The most honest part of his talk was about the UPSC personality test.
“You can’t fake your personality. They are experts. Don’t pretend you love painting or yoga if you don’t. Just be who you are,” he advised.
He confessed that he couldn’t speak English fluently during mock interviews. “Still, I got 184 marks. Why? Because I was honest, grounded, and genuine.”
APTI PLUS’s mock interview panel helped him prepare through simulations, but authenticity got him through.
Message for 2025 & 2026 Aspirants
For those preparing for Mains 2025 or even 2026, Rajdeep had heartfelt advice:
- “There are no shortcuts in UPSC. Don’t fall for YouTube videos saying ‘Economy in 3 hours’.”
- “Don’t get trapped by too many materials. Stick to the basics and revise them again and again.”
- “UPSC is not a test of intelligence; it’s a test of endurance and discipline.”
He said that preparing for UPSC will automatically help you in state exams like WBCS.
“Don’t worry about the time it takes. One or two years of struggle can give you a lifetime of dignity, satisfaction, and security.”
Rajdeep Ghosh’s Tips for UPSC & WBCS Aspirants
Be Consistent, Not Just Intelligent
“UPSC is not about talented people—it’s about consistent people.” Build a routine you can stick to. Consistency beats bursts of brilliance.
Don’t Wait to Be Perfect
Start answer writing early. Waiting for the syllabus to be complete is a mistake. Improvement comes from practice, not from overplanning.
Self-Study is Non-Negotiable
If you’re attending coaching like APTI PLUS, ensure 6–7 hours of self-study daily. For working professionals, divide 3–4 hours into manageable slots throughout the day.
Choose Your Optional Wisely
Rajdeep initially chose Chemistry and scored only 195. He later shifted to Sociology and cracked it. Take 2–3 months to explore and understand what suits you best.
Stick to Limited Resources
Don’t hoard books or switch materials often. Pick one reliable source for each subject and revise it multiple times.
Focus More on Static, Not Just Current Affairs
“Seventy percent of your preparation time should be spent on static topics.” Mastering the core subjects provides context for understanding current affairs better.
CSAT Can Be a Gamechanger
Many fail due to CSAT. Practice comprehension regularly and revise basic math like percentages and averages. Avoid overcomplicating it with advanced topics.
Be Honest in the Interview
The personality test is not about pretending. Don’t fake hobbies or interests. Authenticity leaves the best impression.
Revise. Re-revise. Repeat.
There’s no substitute for multiple revisions. It sharpens your memory and improves answer quality.
Take Inspiration, Not Imitation
“Don’t copy toppers. Learn from them, but make your own strategy.” Know your strengths and build a method that works for you.
How APTI PLUS helped Rajdeep – Best UPSC Coaching Institute in Kolkata
When Rajdeep Ghosh initially enrolled in APTI PLUS, he had no idea that it would change his life.
Rajdeep remembers, “I wasn’t the kind of student who could learn everything in one go.” “I needed help, direction, and a pace I could keep up with. That’s what APTI PLUS provided me. From the very beginning, APTI PLUS was more than just a place to get coaching. It became a place where people could ask questions and understand everything with the best UPSC faculty.
The basic lessons in the classroom helped him get a good grasp of the main ideas in disciplines like Polity, History, and Geography. But what truly made the difference was the one-on-one help. Not only did the faculty instruct him, but they were a part of his journey.
During Mains Preparation:
- The test series was helpful. It helped him develop consistency and precision in answer writing.
- Personalised evaluation and feedback offered actionable insights to improve weak areas.
- The essay guidance pushed him to think beyond standard answers and develop a nuanced voice.
Rajdeep Ghosh found that having the right mentors made a significant impact. At APTI PLUS, subjects once hard became manageable, even enjoyable. History turned into stories, thanks to Sat Prakash Sharma and the team. CSAT and sociology felt structured with Sumit Saran and Shweta Singh, while ethics found clarity through Dharmendra Arya. Economics and Environment, made simple by Deepak Gauda. Rajdeep sums it up best: “They didn’t just teach, they guided, inspired, and truly made learning human.”
Even though the UPSC Interview was surprising, simulated sessions at APTI PLUS helped him feel confident in being himself. There were no tricks; he just had to be himself, and it worked.
“The environment at APTI PLUS best WBCS coaching institute in Kolkata, was what stood out to me. Everyone, from your teachers to your classmates, wanted you to do well. It changed everything.” Rajdeep, who is now ranked 789th in all of India, looks back on APTI PLUS as more than just a teaching center. It was a place that provided him direction, discipline, and confidence.
Inspiration, Not Imitation
Every topper’s journey is unique, and Rajdeep is the first to admit it:
“Don’t copy my strategy word-for-word. Build your own based on your strengths. Take ideas, but trust your path.”
The Mains stage defines your rank in the merit list. It’s wise that good preparation becomes great. It’s wise that consistency matters more than speed, and clarity is better than quantity.
If you’re preparing for 2025 or 2026, remember Rajdeep’s advice: maintain focus, write more, revise more effectively, and have confidence in yourself.
“Even if you improve 1% daily, by the end of the year, you’ll be 365% better. Just keep going.”
— Rajdeep Ghosh, AIR 789, WBCS 2022, 72 Rank
