IAS Topper Sanskriti Jain Ranked 11 in 2014 Exam
Sanskriti Jain, Hailing from the family background of Indian Air Force, she had been extensively travelled to most parts of the India which widen her experience. After pursuing her graduation, from BITS, Pilani (Goa campus) she got a fellowship and a chance to work as a legislative assistant to a Member of Parliament. During this work experience she got insights into what exactly is happening in the government, how policies are made, and associated problems, etc. She found policy making issues really very interesting.
Sanskriti Jain decided to take the exam towards the end of her LAMP fellowship. And she started preparation from March 2011. Born in Srinagar, Sanskriti also topped the optional philosophy with highest marks apart from ranking 11th in UPSC CSE 2014. When before 2012, it was compulsory to take two optional subjects, Sanskriti has chosen Public administration and philosophy. For General Studies subjects she didn’t take any coaching but for the optional subject she took. Pub Ad from Synergy and philosophy from Mitras IAS. In her first attempt only, she got 611 rank. In her second attempt, she left Pub Ad and continued with philosophy.
Marks obtained by Sanskriti in UPSC mains:
| Total(Written): | 803/1750 |
| Interview | 200/275 |
| Final Total Marks | 1003/2025 |
Prelims strategy by Sanskriti Jain
- Fast reading is necessary for prelims.
- The diversity of knowledge is the must for clearing prelims.
- NCERTs are essential.
- Knowing the mere facts only is not sufficient
- Foundation should be clear.
Analysing your solved question paper is also required. A broad perspective is vital for General studies paper as the perspective from the economy, common man’s perspective or from the view of Parliamentarian. Her paper writing medium was English which gives good impact.
For geography, graphs and diagrams are needed to study in details.
Sanskriti Jain strategy for optional selection:
Sanskriti says philosophy immediately captured her attention and interest. For optional subject selection, it is important that candidate should have an interest in the respective subject.
In the philosophy classes, she went through flow charts, discussed it with her mentor how logically topics were correlated with each other, how metaphysics was connected to epistemology, interlinkages between paper 1 & 2. This helped her to build a strong foundation and helped me crack IRS and IAS later she says.
‘Apart from exam oriented benefits like precise syllabus, help in essay & ethics paper, etc. I also found it to be very useful in life as whole’, Sanskriti explains more. ‘Philosophy has transformed her way of thinking’ she adds more.
Coaching classes mandatory for success?
As per her opinion, Coaching classes are not substituted for hard work but they are definitely add-on. It saves your lot of time and gives a good direction. She gives credit of her success to his mentor Mitra sir. According to her, for any topic conceptual clarity is a must as well as the practice of writing good answers in a short span of time which covers most probable aspect.
Advice to UPSC Aspirants:
“If one has a firm grasp on the subject, then preparation requires being up to date with current affairs,” she says.
