AIR 480 Reveals Anthropology Strategies No One Tells
Intro-Sanidhya Meena
Optional Marks Insight: Scored around 300+ in optional
UPSC Rank: Secured All India Rank 480 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025
Place of Living: Belongs to Rajasthan; prepared from major UPSC hubs like Jaipur/Delhi
Graduation: Graduate (exact degree not widely confirmed in reliable public sources)
Optional Subject: Anthropology
The Illusion of Endless Studying
When I began my UPSC preparation, I genuinely believed that success depended on how many hours I studied and how many books I could finish. I kept stretching my study time, adding more sources, and trying to cover everything possible. It gave me a sense of satisfaction, but in hindsight, it was mostly unstructured effort. Over time, I realized that UPSC is not testing how much you study, but how well you understand and apply what you study. That realization was uncomfortable, but necessary.
Understanding the Demand of the Exam
One of my biggest mistakes was not taking the time to understand the exam itself. I started preparing without deeply analyzing the syllabus or previous year questions. For a long time, my preparation lacked direction. When I finally sat down with PYQs, I noticed patterns, repetition of themes, and a certain depth in questioning. It became clear that my approach was disconnected from what UPSC actually expects. That shift in understanding changed the way I studied thereafter.
The Trap of Multiple Resources
Like most aspirants, I was constantly collecting study material—coaching notes, different books, online lectures, and Telegram content. Every new resource felt like an improvement to my preparation. In reality, it only created confusion and weakened my retention. I kept revisiting the same topics from different sources instead of mastering one. Eventually, I had to consciously limit my resources and stick to them. That decision brought clarity and stability to my preparation.
Learning from Previous Year Questions
Previous year questions turned out to be the most reliable guide in my journey. They helped me understand what topics are important and how deeply they need to be studied. Instead of treating PYQs as a practice tool after completing the syllabus, I began using them as the foundation of my preparation. This approach filtered out unnecessary content and made my study more focused and relevant to the exam.
The Role of Revision and Consistency
For a long time, I was more focused on covering new topics than revising what I had already studied. It created an illusion of progress, but my performance in tests told a different story. I realized that retention matters far more than exposure. Gradually, I shifted my focus to regular revision and maintaining consistency in my routine. Even on days when motivation was low, sticking to a basic plan helped build confidence over time.
Developing the Right Mindset
Beyond books and strategy, preparation also requires mental stability. There were phases when I compared myself with others, doubted my approach, and felt the urge to change everything. Each time I gave in to that, it disrupted my progress. Over time, I understood that this exam demands patience, discipline, and trust in one’s own process. Once I stopped chasing every new strategy and focused on steady improvement, my preparation became more effective and less stressful.
To know his strategy in detail, watch-https://youtu.be/qC4CH-m4q70?si=x_LqoB4xjbZP5c55
