What do all UPSC toppers have in common?

Common attributes of the toppers:
1. They are single-minded about what they want. They don’t chase multiple goals like – making money, finding a date and also clearing UPSC.

2. They are willing to put in 100% effort without the fear of failure.

3. They don’t stop when they are tired, they stop when they are done. They always go that extra mile, squeezing and making the most of every single day of their preparatory time.

4. They are not afraid of making mistakes. They learn from their mistakes and those of others too and don’t repeat them.

5. They set very realistic goals and plan for them. Not a super-human 14 hours a day schedule, that makes them run out of steam in 2-3 days.

6. They are not too emotional about success and failure in the examination. They approach the subject clinically like a doctor, do what is needed and move on.

7. They have the capacity to delay gratification. They aren’t hankering after immediate success. They are willing to put the effort that it takes today, knowing fully will that it will bear fruit only a year or so from now.

8. They are highly adaptable. They don’t allow for things like bad food, accommodation or bad company to come in the way of their preparation. Room doesn’t work? They move to the study hall.

9. They hold themselves accountable for the outcomes, rather than blaming it on the situation. “If my friends weren’t so distracting, I would have done well in the Mock tests.” No.

10. They maintain a positive outlook at all times, despite stress. When they fall, they pick themselves up and they are back on the road again.

11. They are disciplined. Even if they are tempted by some movie or dinner plans their friends are making, they know how to put their foot down and say no, when they need to.

12. They don’t succumb to social pressure. Don’t base their effort on what their family or friends think about their success or failure in clearing the exam.

13. They are at some level very independent. They don’t keep what others around are doing as the benchmark. They just give their best.

14. They don’t go after too many sources of study material. Reading the same topic from 2-3 sources, because you are going after the “BEST” material. They instead stick to basics like NCERTs, Yojana, The Hindu newspaper etc., and study them really well.

15. They really know how to manage their time. Both in preparation and also at the examination hall. “First 10 questions – extraordinary answers, didn’t have the time for last 5 questions.” People in this category don’t make it to the list.

At the end of it all, I don’t think these toppers had many regrets, despite all the pain and struggle. Once they saw their names in the final list, I don’t think they regretted not watching their favorite movie or having been left out when all their friends went on an outing. But I’m sure all those who didn’t clear had a lot to. :)