Consistency Over Cramming: Khandwa’s Rupal Jaiswal on Securing AIR 43 in UPSC 2025
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the final results for the Civil Services Examination 2025, recommending 958 candidates for various services based on merit. Among the successful candidates is Rupal Dhananjay Jaiswal from Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, who has brought immense pride to her family and region by securing an impressive All India Rank of 43.
Rupal’s journey to this remarkable achievement was not a straight path but one marked by persistence, reflection, and a strategic shift in her preparation approach. This was her third attempt at the examination, and the result reflects her unwavering determination to improve and excel.
A Decision to Aim Higher
Interestingly, Rupal had already cleared the UPSC examination in her second attempt, securing an All India Rank of 512. However, she chose not to accept the service allocated at that rank. Instead, she made the bold decision to appear for the exam once more, driven by a desire to achieve a better position and secure a more preferred service.
Rather than resting on her previous success, she carefully analyzed her preparation, identified areas that needed improvement, and refined her strategy. This willingness to push herself further, despite having already cleared the exam, speaks volumes about her ambition and commitment to her goals.
Smart Study: Quality Over Quantity
When asked about her success mantra, Rupal emphasized that cracking the UPSC exam does not require studying for excessively long hours every single day. She firmly believes that many aspirants fall into the trap of measuring their preparation by the number of hours they sit with their books, rather than the effectiveness of their study sessions.
According to Rupal, consistency and regularity are far more important than sheer volume. She maintained a disciplined routine of studying approximately 8 hours daily throughout her preparation. However, during the final two months leading up to the Mains examination, she increased her study time to around 10 hours per day to intensify her revision and answer-writing practice.
Her approach challenges the common misconception that success in this highly competitive exam demands sacrificing all leisure and studying for 12 or more hours daily. Instead, she advocates for a balanced, sustainable routine that allows for steady progress without burnout.
The Role of Family Support
Rupal is quick to acknowledge that her success would not have been possible without the unwavering support of her family. She credits her parents and family members for constantly encouraging her and providing a positive environment that kept her motivated throughout the demanding preparation phase.
She candidly admitted that the UPSC journey can be mentally exhausting, and there were moments when the pressure felt overwhelming. In such times, it was the continuous encouragement and reassurance from her family that helped her stay on course. She believes that had she not received such strong familial backing, she might have struggled to sustain her efforts and could have given up midway.
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
Rupal’s journey offers several valuable lessons for future UPSC aspirants:
- Consistency matters more than intensity: Regular, focused study sessions of 8 hours can be more effective than sporadic marathon sessions.
- Don’t settle if you can do better: If you believe you have the potential to improve, it is worth taking the risk to try again.
- Adapt your strategy: Analyze your previous attempts, identify weaknesses, and make targeted improvements rather than repeating the same approach.
- Build a support system: Surround yourself with people who believe in you and create an environment conducive to focused preparation.
- Avoid the hour-counting trap: Focus on the quality of your study and your understanding of concepts, not just the number of hours logged.
Rupal Jaiswal’s story is a testament to the fact that with the right mindset, smart work, and a supportive environment, achieving a top rank in the UPSC examination is possible. Her success serves as an inspiration not only to aspirants from small towns but to anyone who dreams of achieving something significant through dedication and perseverance. Her journey reinforces that it is not about how many hours you study, but how consistently and intelligently you use those hours that truly makes the difference.
