Garima Lohia (Rank 2, UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023)

Garima Lohia (Rank 2, UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023)

Garima Lohia secured Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023, an incredible achievement in one of India’s most competitive and challenging exams. Her success is an inspiring story of hard work, persistence, and a well-planned strategy, including her choice of optional subject and the dedication required to clear the exam on her second attempt.

1. Background and Early Life

• Hometown: Garima Lohia comes from Buxar, Bihar, a small town in India, where her journey towards UPSC began. Despite the limited resources in her hometown, she carved her path through perseverance and determination.
• Education: She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Kirorimal College, Delhi University, which formed the foundation for her future career and influenced her choice of optional subject in the UPSC examination.
• Family Background: Garima faced personal tragedy with the loss of her father during her schooling years, a challenge she overcame with the unwavering support of her mother. This loss instilled a deep sense of responsibility and strengthened her resolve to succeed.

2. UPSC Journey and Attempts

• Second Attempt Success: Garima Lohia’s journey to UPSC success wasn’t a first-time victory. She cleared the exam in her second attempt. In her first attempt, she couldn’t clear the Prelims stage, a common hurdle for many aspirants. Instead of being disheartened, Garima learned from her mistakes and restructured her preparation strategy for her second attempt, leading to her tremendous success in 2023.
• Optional Subject: Garima chose Commerce and Accountancy as her optional subject, leveraging her academic background in commerce from her undergraduate studies. This choice proved to be a wise decision, as she was able to utilize her subject knowledge effectively, making her preparation more streamlined.

3. Preparation Strategy

• Study Plan:
• Garima was methodical in her approach, maintaining a disciplined study routine that focused on both general studies and her optional subject. She made sure to strike a balance between learning new topics and revising what she had already studied.
• Conceptual Clarity: She prioritized understanding over rote learning, especially for her optional subject, Commerce and Accountancy. This helped her tackle complex questions in the Mains exam with confidence.
• Answer Writing Practice: One of the cornerstones of her success was consistent answer writing practice. Regularly practicing answers for both general studies and optional subjects helped her manage time effectively during the exam and develop a clear and concise writing style.
• Mock Tests: Garima focused heavily on mock tests to simulate the exam environment and identify her weak areas. This practice was crucial in improving her performance in both the Prelims and Mains stages.
• Revision: She adopted a strategic approach to revision, focusing on consolidating her knowledge rather than constantly acquiring new information. Multiple revisions of key topics ensured she retained crucial concepts and facts.

4. Challenges and Resilience

• Overcoming Failure: Failing to clear the Prelims in her first attempt could have been discouraging, but Garima used this as an opportunity to learn from her mistakes. She re-evaluated her strategy and focused on improving her weak points. Her resilience in the face of failure was a key factor in her success.
• Personal Struggles: Losing her father at a young age was a significant personal challenge. Despite the emotional weight of this loss, Garima persevered with the support of her family, especially her mother, who encouraged her throughout her UPSC journey.

5. Key Lessons from Garima’s Journey

• Persistence Pays Off: Garima’s story is a testament to the value of persistence. Despite the initial setback in her first attempt, she never gave up on her dream of becoming a civil servant.
• Smart Study Strategy: Rather than focusing on the sheer volume of study material, Garima emphasized the importance of smart work — targeting key areas, focusing on clarity in concepts, and consistent answer writing practice.
• Importance of Mock Tests: Regularly appearing for mock tests helped her not only assess her knowledge but also improved her exam-taking strategy. She was able to adapt her approach based on feedback from these tests, which was crucial in her second attempt.

6. Message to UPSC Aspirants

• Learn from Setbacks: Garima encourages aspirants to see failure as part of the learning process. She advises them to stay focused, identify their weaknesses, and continually improve upon them rather than being disheartened by initial setbacks.
• Consistency and Self-Belief: Her journey shows the importance of staying consistent in preparation and having faith in one’s abilities. She emphasizes that even if the journey seems long, determination and patience are essential ingredients for success in UPSC.

Garima Lohia's success in her second attempt reflects her grit, strategic planning, and ability to bounce back from setbacks. Her story serves as an inspiring example for UPSC aspirants, highlighting the importance of smart preparation, resilience, and a positive mindset in overcoming the challenges of the examination.