Simran Bhardwaj’s UPSC Preparation: A Story of Determination and Dreams

November 7, 2023

5 Minutes

Introduction

In a tough world, we find inspiration in Simran Bhardwaj's story. From her birth in a small village in Haryana to working day and night during UPSC preparation to becoming an IPS officer, her remarkable journey teaches us the importance of dedication, unwavering focus, and relentless hard work. In this blog, let’s delve into her incredible path to success and discover the valuable lessons her journey teaches us.

A Childhood Dream

Simran's journey began in her childhood. As she grew up in an army family, a deep sense of national service was automatically instilled in her. Her mother, who was also from a small village in Haryana, knew that women must work harder, not only to make their opinions count but also to lead a dignified life. Simran's mother envisioned a future where her daughter could make a significant difference in society and this became the foundation of a dream.

As Simran grew older, she discovered the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, the basics of UPSC preparation and what it means to be an IAS or an IPS officer. She realized that it could provide her with the platform to bring about meaningful change that her mother always dreamt of. Her mother had placed this goal on her wish list, and Simran decided to embark on this challenging journey right after her graduation, with no gap years.

To kickstart her UPSC preparation, Simran watched the videos of 40-50 toppers, using their experiences to craft her own "common minimum plan." This plan served as her roadmap to success.

Finding Inspiration

Simran's journey received a significant boost when she participated in a quiz competition at school and was awarded by IPS Ilma Afroz. Her conversation with IPS Ilma Afroz inspired her to intensify her preparation. Simran prepared a sheet of her strengths and weaknesses, identifying the challenges she would face while pursuing her degree in journalism. She immediately started working on her weaknesses and polishing her strengths. Despite the burden of expectations and the fear of failure, she remained determined to stay the course.

A Balanced UPSC Preparation

In her final year, Simran prepared a calculated roadmap for preparation and began studying her basic books, all while continuing her interests in public speaking, debating, and quizzing. This balance ensured that her journey remained diverse and her unique qualities shone through.

One of Simran's biggest challenges was maintaining consistency, as the UPSC preparation demands daily dedication. However, because she enjoyed the process, the effort did not feel painful.

The Road to UPSC Prelims

From July to October, Simran focused on her preliminary examination preparation. When the 2020 preliminary exams arrived on October 4th, she got the paper and took it at home, simulating the exam environment. Realizing that she had cleared the cutoff, she began studying her optional subject until December, all the while juggling her dissertation work.

The Path to UPSC Mains

In February, Simran began practicing mains answer writing. She wrote three General Studies papers every day. Although, she believes it was too much for a person to write three papers in a day but she believes if you’re working hard for yourself and enjoying it, it doesn’t feel hard. She emphasizes that mains answer writing should only be undertaken once you've compiled notes, gathered data points, and built a strong knowledge foundation.

Simran took her Mains exam in Mumbai. Although the exam went well and she was confident, she started practicing preliminary exam mocks again.

The Dilemma - Army or Civil Services

During her UPSC journey, Simran also received a call from the Combined Defence Services (CDS) and was recommended at the Service Selection Board (SSB) in Allahabad. She faced a tough decision - choosing between the army and civil services. After careful consideration, Simran decided to forego the opportunity in the army and waited for her UPSC mains results while still continuing her UPSC preparation. When the results came, she got recommended for the personality test.

Simran revealed that the interview was more like a panel discussion and it was purely to judge the candidate’s personality. She ended up scoring an impressive 201 marks and achieving her dream of becoming an IPS officer.

Simran’s Key Learnings

• Utmost Focus: To succeed in this exam, Simran believes that one must embody laser-sharp focus. She suggests every aspirant to stay dedicated and maintain unwavering concentration on thier goals.
• Consistency and Constancy: Cultivate a disciplined routine, never missing a day or target. Stay constant in your pursuit of success.
• Emotional Detachment with the Exam: Treat this exam as just that – AN EXAM. Keep emotions in check and approach challenges with a rational mindset.

Inspired by Saina Nehwal

Simran drew inspiration from Saina Nehwal, who also hailed from a small household in Haryana and achieved greatness.

She also mentioned a line from Saina's biopic resonated with her:

" Maangne wali cheez nahi hai mauka uska jisne cheena. "

Conclusion

Simran Bhardwaj's journey to success in the Civil Services and her dedication during her UPSC preparation is a testament to the power of determination, focus, and dedication. Her story shows us that no matter where we come from, we can achieve greatness through consistent effort and unwavering commitment. Simran's life serves as an inspiration to all, proving that with hard work, dreams can indeed become a reality.