UPSC Topper 2021 Shruti Sharma: Preparation Strategy, Daily Routine, Optional Subject

UPSC Topper Shruti Sharma secured rank 1 in IAS result 2021. Get here all the details about her family background, preparation strategy, daily routine, hobbies, interview experience, inspiration and other facts.

UPSC IAS topper Shruti Sharma AIR 1

UPSC Topper Shruti Sharma (AIR-1) was born in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. She topped the UPSC Toppers list 2021. She did her schooling at Sardar Patel School and graduated from St. Stephens College, New Delhi which is a very reputed institute under the University of Delhi. She is currently pursuing the Post-Graduation in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics. She tool the Civil Service preparation cashing from the Jamia Milia Residential Civil Service Academy.

Her First Reaction

She was very happy and did not believe that she secured the top position in the exam. She was hoping to have her name on the list but did not expect to be the topper. She checked her roll number twice in the UPSC result and then informed her mother and grandmother. For Success in the Civil Service Exam 2021, she thanked her teachers and friends Sumanthi, Mini, Vishakha, Stanzing and others.

UPSC Toppers Shruti Sharma’s Attempts

This was her second attempt at the IAS exam. She has given her first attempt with Hindi Medium. She said that her medium of examination in the first attempt was Hindi due to some error in the application form. Even after this, she missed the interview call by one mark only. In the second attempt, she topped the UPSC Exam.

UPSC Topper Shruti Sharma’s Optional Subject

She had opted for History as the optional subject in the Civil Service Main (written) exam. She is a graduate in History and has a deep interest in History.

UPSC Toppers Shruti Sharma’s Preparation Strategy

She said the most important step in the IAS preparation is making a preparation strategy based on self-analysis, preference and interest. The candidates should limit the study material and setting the short term targets is the key to preparation. She suggested having content-based targets instead of time-based targets.

She said that study hours do not matter in the IAS preparation, it is the output from the study that matters the most. She stressed that taking breaks is also essential to balance oneself. She used to take breaks after her studies. Although, she is present on social media but not have much and enjoys time with her friends.

She referred to the basic and standard books for her preparation but prepared notes for the exam. She prepared her notes based on the keywords given in the official IAS UPSC syllabus. She prepared her Current affairs notes from newspapers and enhanced them on daily basis. They proved very helpful in UPSC answer writing and provided an edge over other competitors.

She used to prepare notes on the topics given in the syllabus and orient them as per the previous year’s questions. She did the answer writing practice before the main exam which immensely helped her in the getting highest marks in the main exam.

She suggested that consistency is the key to success in the IAS exam. In addition to that personalised strategy and time management is an important component of IAS preparation. For the candidates who could not make it to the list this time She said that if the candidates feel motivated even after the failure, they should go for their attempt in the Civil Service Exam.

UPSC Toppers Shruti Sharma’s Interview Experience

She shared that her mock interviews were going good but the actual interview somehow did not turn out so great. She said that her IAS personality test was a little bit factual in the orientation where she could not answer some questions. Some of the questions asked were about the Champaran Satyagrah, governance issues and questions about her school Sardar Patel Vidyalaya. She scored 173 marks in the IAS interview. UPSC toppers 2021 marks were released on May 30 itself.

UPSC Toppers Shruti Sharma’s Daily Routine

She used to get up early as she studied better in the morning. But she said everyone has their preference and it does not make difference whether someone is studying in the morning or evening. But she suggested that there should be a fixed timetable for daily preparation incorporating the essential elements.

UPSC Toppers Shruti Sharma’s Hobbies

She has fond of reading poems, watching movies and taking walks is her favourite pass time. Reading, Movies and spending time with friends. She would be travelling and exploring after the UPSC results.

Inspirations

On a personal level, she is very much inspired by her mother and grandmother (Nani). She told that both of them are strong women. At the professional level, she admires the work of IAS officer Laxmi Priya in Assam.

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