How Tough is UPSC? Debunking Myths About the Exam
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants dream of becoming an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer, but only a few make it to the final list. Because of its reputation, UPSC is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions—some say it’s impossible to crack, while others claim only geniuses can clear it.
But is UPSC really that tough? Or is it just overhyped? Let’s break down the reality and debunk the biggest myths about the exam.
Myth #1: UPSC is Impossible to Crack
Reality: UPSC is tough, but not impossible!
Many aspirants believe that only a handful of students can clear UPSC, and that too with extreme luck. But the truth is, thousands of aspirants clear it every year, and many of them are average students who worked hard with the right strategy.
Example: Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1, 2017) was an average student in school but cracked UPSC after multiple attempts. He focused on smart preparation, self-study, and consistency rather than just talent.
Lesson: UPSC rewards smart work and persistence, not just intelligence.
Myth #2: You Need to Study 15-16 Hours a Day
Reality: Quality > Quantity. Studying smartly for 6-8 hours is enough!
Many aspirants think they need to study non-stop for 15-16 hours daily to clear UPSC. While the syllabus is vast, blindly studying for long hours without efficiency is counterproductive.
Example: Tina Dabi (AIR 1, 2015) managed her UPSC preparation with just 7-8 hours of focused study per day. She prioritized revision and answer writing instead of exhausting herself with long hours.
Lesson: Studying smartly, revising regularly, and maintaining consistency are far more important than spending endless hours with books.
Myth #3: Only Toppers & Geniuses Can Crack UPSC
Reality: Many UPSC toppers were average students in school and college.
UPSC is not about how intelligent you are, but about how well you understand concepts and apply them in the exam. It tests analytical ability, problem-solving, and decision-making, which can be developed with practice.
Example: Govind Jaiswal (AIR 48, 2006) came from a poor background and had no coaching support, yet he cleared UPSC with sheer dedication and self-study.
Lesson: Anyone with discipline, the right strategy, and hard work can crack UPSC—it’s not just for toppers!
Myth #4: You Must Join an Expensive Coaching Institute
Reality: Coaching can help, but many aspirants crack UPSC with self-study.
Many believe that joining a famous coaching center is necessary to clear UPSC. However, many toppers have cracked the exam without coaching, using free online resources, NCERTs, and self-study strategies.
Example: Kanishak Kataria (AIR 1, 2018) relied heavily on self-study, online sources, and test series rather than traditional coaching.
Lesson: Coaching is a tool, not a necessity. If you have the discipline and right resources, self-study can be equally effective.
Myth #5: You Need to Memorize Everything
Reality: Understanding concepts > Rote memorization
UPSC is not a memory-based exam. The questions require conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and critical thinking. Instead of mugging up facts, aspirants should focus on understanding and applying knowledge.
Example: Prelims questions in recent years focus on conceptual clarity, such as:
“What happens if RBI reduces the Repo Rate?” instead of simply asking “What is the Repo Rate?”
Lesson: Focus on understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of topics rather than just remembering facts.
Myth #6: You Must Be an Expert in Every Subject
Reality: UPSC is about basic understanding, not PhD-level knowledge.
The syllabus covers subjects like History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science, and Ethics, but you don’t need deep specialization in each. UPSC expects generalist knowledge, not expert-level mastery.
Example: Many engineers and doctors clear UPSC despite not having any background in humanities subjects. They focus on basic conceptual clarity instead of in-depth specialization.
Lesson: You don’t need to be an expert—just understand the basics well and know how to apply them.
Myth #7: Only English Medium Students Can Crack UPSC
Reality: UPSC allows aspirants to write in multiple languages, including Hindi and regional languages.
Many believe that English-medium students have an advantage, but thousands of Hindi and regional-language aspirants clear UPSC every year. UPSC provides equal opportunities to all languages.
Example: Satendra Kumar (AIR 693, 2018), a Hindi medium student, cleared UPSC by writing the exam in Hindi.
Lesson: Choose the language you are most comfortable with—language is not a barrier to success.
Myth #8: You Need to Be a Political Science or History Graduate
Reality: UPSC doesn’t favor any specific background. Engineers, doctors, commerce graduates—all can crack it!
The exam tests analytical thinking and general knowledge, which anyone can develop, regardless of academic background.
Example: Many engineers like Kanishak Kataria (AIR 1, 2018) and doctors like Roman Saini (AIR 18, 2013) cleared UPSC with non-humanities backgrounds.
Lesson: Your graduation subject doesn’t matter—your preparation strategy does!
So, How Tough is UPSC Really?
- UPSC is challenging but not impossible.
- It requires hard work, smart strategy, and consistency.
- Anyone with discipline and the right approach can crack it.
- You don’t need to be a topper, study 16 hours a day, or join expensive coaching.
UPSC is not a test of how much you know, but how well you apply your knowledge. The right mindset, strategy, and perseverance can make even an average student a topper!
So, are you ready to take on the challenge? Let me know in the comments!
I hope this blog makes UPSC preparation less intimidating and more motivating for aspirants! Let me know if you want any modifications.