Aishwarya Sheoran Interview – UPSC 2019 AIR 93 – From Miss India finalist to UPSC Topper

• Interviewer: Welcome to study Iq Aishwarya, tell us something about yourself.

Aishwarya: I hail from Delhi. I completed my school education from Sanskriti School after which I pursued my graduate degree in Economics Honours from Sri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi.

My father Ajay Kumar is the Commanding Officer of NCC Telangana Battalion, Karimnagar. My mother Suman Sheoran is a home-maker. I was born in Rajasthan. Now I am living with my family in Mumbai. My brother is in under-23 cricket team  for  Mumbai.

• Interviewer: How did modelling happen to you?

Aishwarya : I thought about modelling in college, I was also in debating and enactus society of my college.

My goal of becoming an IAS officer was clear from starting.

I  ensured that i  finished all my  modelling assignments by May 2018 and  devote myself in the preparation for the civil services examination.
For me, modelling was only a hobby. I got the chance to participate in the Miss India pageant during my second year of college. Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) also encouraged us to go out of our comfort zone and try things.

• Interviewer: How did you start your preparation for the IAS prelims exam?

Aishwarya : Mine was prelims + mains strategy (holistic approach )

April was all about prelims — learning specific facts, map exercises for geography, and compilations of Vision IAS, however, I was still in touch with my optional subject for at least 30 minutes each day to do an overview of one chapter from each book. The prelims was held on June 2 and I had practiced about 25 test papers available free online by each within 1.30 hours. My plan was a simple-practice test in the morning, revise the answers in the evening and again on Saturday. On Saturdays, I also used to focus on current affairs. No new current affairs were added in April.

• Interviewer: What was your strategy for clearing the IAS Mains Exam?

Aishwarya : I had limited time so I kept my sources limited,  i had limited my revising material.

Mains answer writing : I used flowcharts , bullet points  and diagram.

• Interviewer: What was your studying pattern?

Aishwarya : First thing is to understand the exam .

I always had a simple technique which I followed during 2018-2019. I started preparing for the UPSC civil services exam in the year 2018. My success mantra was 10+8+6 i.e. 10 hours of study, 8 hours of sleep and 6 hours of other activities.

I did not join any coaching centres. Coaching is a personal choice.

• Interviewer: What were your sources(online offline)?

Aishwarya : I referred study iq ‘s world history lectures (they were very helpful for me ) .I took the print out  of all the important  online sources.

For current affairs  i referred two – three online sources ,if something was left i referred newspaper. The Internet proved to be the biggest boon in my preparation. From books, old interviews to current affairs and newspapers, everything is easily available on the Internet. I started my basic preparations from there only. I chose only one book for a topic and revised it repeatedly. Strategy holds the key in UPSC preparation.

• Interviewer: Which test series did you follow ?

Aishwarya :I joined the Vision IAS test series for GS and found that my papers were getting completed in 4.10 hours. Along with these, I would also practice one or two questions from Insights secure and scribble the rest to check the answers. Despite best efforts, I could not reduce my time beyond 3.40 hours till March

• Interviewer: How did you prepare for the essay and ethics paper?

Aishwarya : For essay and ethics, I took out half-an-hour to practice rough outline and brainstorming. This, and a 20-minute audio recording of quotations on various topics in my own voice which I used to play every morning during the workout. This made it fun and easy to tackle. I filtered out all the trivial prelims current affairs and made a handy list of facts on education, health, etc which I could use in answers.

• Interviewer: How was your interview experience?

Aishwarya :  Interview is very unpredictable process .
I was asked about khap panchayat during  interview.
Questions on the US-India trade deal, education policy, infrastructure were mostly due to my economics background.

• Interviewer: Your last words of wisdom for UPSC aspirants?

Aishwarya :

• Consistency is the key.
• Emotionally up and down are there for everyone.
• Never let anyone tell you  that you cant  do particular thing.
• Believe in yourself.
• You should know your own capabilities.