In heart of West Bengal from historically rich town of Chinsurah in Hooghly district hails a young woman whose quiet determination & tireless pursuit of excellence have finally borne fruit. Rishita Das a graduate in Political Science (Hons.) from Presidency University, Kolkata has cracked one of toughest examinations in world UPSC Civil Services Examination securing All India Rank 840 in her fifth attempt in CSE 2024. Her success is not just a testament to hard work or intellect but to power of perseverance, introspection & strategic evolution.
Failures Refined Me Not Defined Me says Rishita Das on her UPSC Journey to AIR 840
Her Journey – A Timeline of Grit & Grace
Rishita tryst with Civil Services began in 2019 a time when many of her peers were either contemplating careers in academia or preparing for placements. Choosing to dedicate herself fully to UPSC she embarked on a path that was riddled with uncertainty, pressure & emotional challenges.
In 2020 & 2021 she could not clear Preliminary stage first & perhaps most unpredictable hurdle of examination.
In 2022 she managed to sail through Prelims & wrote Mains but fell short of qualifying for Personality Test (Interview).
2023 brought another disappointment as she was unable to clear Prelims again leading to further emotional introspection.
Finally in CSE 2024 after years of constant setbacks, silent struggles & significant personal growth Rishita broke through with AIR 840 a rank that places her among India top civil services aspirants.
Her journey is not linear nor is it filled with glamorous victories; instead it is a powerful reflection of emotional endurance, mental recalibration & evolving maturity that such an examination demands over years.
“This exam did more than test my intellect it fundamentally transformed my personality. I learned patience when success was delayed, resilience when self-doubt crept in & tolerance when results didn’t align with effort.” — Rishita Das
Her Preparation Strategy
A Strategy Forged Through Failures
Contrary to popular belief cracking UPSC exam is not merely a matter of completing a fixed syllabus or blindly following any toppers booklist.
As Rishita candidly reflects her preparation journey was characterized by constant experimentation, revision of strategies & an unwavering commitment to learn from her own experiences rather than simply emulate others.
In earlier years she admittedly focused more on conventional strategies trying to cover vast portions of syllabus, following lengthy current affairs material & attempting to memorize facts with hope that they would be useful.
However with every setback Rishita realized that more than quantum of content it is alignment of preparation with demand of exam that makes all difference.
In her 2024 attempt what truly shifted was not just content or number of hours put in it was quality of introspection, strategic focus on solving previous year questions (PYQs) & realization that targeted preparation based on personal strengths & weaknesses is far more valuable than generalized, template-based studying.
Key Pillars of Her 2024 Strategy
For first time in her UPSC journey Rishita made PYQs foundation of her preparation. She didn’t just solve them but she analyzed patterns, identified frequently asked themes, understood framing of questions & used them to filter what was important from what wasn’t. This approach helped her eliminate noise & focus on core.
Having chosen Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) as her optional she turned it into a strength this time. She revisited her optional notes, revised thinkers & IR theories repeatedly & gave sufficient time to answer-writing practice. Ethics which often determines rank more than clearance was tackled with greater conceptual clarity & structured thinking.
This time test series were not just taken for sake of completion. Rishita reviewed every test paper she wrote, compared her answers with model solutions, discussed them with mentors & made notes on improvement areas. Each test became an opportunity for feedback & incremental refinement.
By 2024, I was no longer preparing just for exam. I was preparing with a map guided by PYQs, self-analysis & strategic clarity. — Rishita Das
Her Advice to Aspirants
Build a Strategy that Works for YOU
Having seen both failure & eventual success Rishita is vocal about breaking myths that often cloud judgment of aspirants especially beginners.
She emphasizes that
Patience is more important than speed Success in UPSC is not time-bound. One must build mental & emotional resilience to withstand delays & defeats.
Hard work is necessary but not sufficient Smart preparation, rooted in personal analysis & understanding demand of exam is equally critical.
PYQs are your best teachers UPSC has a pattern & those who decode it early stand a better chance. PYQs help aspirants identify this pattern & stay exam-relevant.
Avoid trap of cover everything Reading everything under sun is not only unproductive it is physically & emotionally exhausting. Instead focus on depth over breadth, quality over quantity & strategy over randomness.
Don’t let fear drive your preparation. Let understanding shape it. What UPSC wants is not someone who has read everything, but someone who understands what they have read & writes it well — Rishita Das
Role of APTIPLUS & IASGYAN
Rishita is deeply grateful to APTI PLUS IAS Coaching in Kolkata that played a quiet yet pivotal role in her journey. During her preparation she found great value in IASGYAN online current affairs magazine which helped her stay up-to-date without drowning in excessive material. The simplicity & depth of these magazines made her current affairs preparation more manageable & focused.
More recently in her 2024 attempt APTIPLUS provided her with probable DAF-based interview questions which helped her prepare for Personality Test with confidence & alignment. Even though she narrowly missed interview call in 2022 this practice helped her sharpen self-awareness & communication both vital for a successful bureaucrat.
APTIPLUS helped me not just with materials, but with mindset & clarity, especially in most critical phases of journey. – Rishita Das
Conclusion
For Rishita this journey has never been just about entering civil services. It has been a process of becoming more aware, more composed & more self-assured as a person. The exam shaped her worldview, refined her values & gave her tools to approach life with equanimity & maturity.
To every aspirant struggling today she offers a message that is raw, real & reassuring
“You will be tested not just by exam but by time, uncertainty & your own self-doubt. But if you stay true to your purpose, refine your path & keep showing up, success will follow not always in form you expect but in growth you undergo.”
To those preparing for UPSC 2025 & beyond may Rishita’s journey remind you that it’s not just about destination but about who you become in process.