How Rajdeep Ghosh cleared both WBCS & UPSC exams-classroom student of APTI PLUS Academy
“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,