Jagrati Awasthi’s UPSC 2020 Strategy: Lessons from AIR 2

Who is Jagrati Awasthi, and what can aspirants learn from her?

Jagrati Awasthi secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 and was the highest-ranked woman candidate that year. According to media reports at the time, including her interview with Krishi Jagran, her preparation combined sustained effort, self-study and reflection after an unsuccessful first attempt.

Her account is useful as a set of preparation lessons, not a formula that every aspirant must reproduce. The practical takeaway is to understand the examination, identify weaknesses and build a routine suited to your circumstances rather than simply copy a topper’s timetable.

How did she move from engineering to UPSC preparation?

Awasthi described an early interest in the IAS that developed into a clearer career goal while she was working. In the reported interview, she recalled being attracted to the role during Classes 9 and 10, although she did not then fully understand an IAS officer’s responsibilities.

Coming from a middle-class family, she chose engineering to establish a stable foundation. Conversations with colleagues at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited helped her explore the civil services more seriously. She said she began preparing alongside her job in January 2019 and was unsuccessful in her first attempt in June 2019.

The source reports that she subsequently left her government job to pursue preparation. This was a personal decision, not advice that working aspirants should automatically follow. Before making a similar choice, consider your financial responsibilities, available study time and alternative career plans.

What did she learn from her unsuccessful first attempt?

Awasthi’s response to her first setback was to analyse what had gone wrong and prepare for another attempt. She described the result as a shock to herself and her family, but said it did not end her determination to pursue the civil services.

She discussed a second attempt with her parents and also considered continuing her studies through an M.Tech if she did not succeed. Her account therefore includes both commitment to a goal and consideration of an alternative path.

• Review an unsuccessful attempt before beginning another preparation cycle.
• Identify specific gaps rather than treating the result as a judgement of your ability.
• Discuss major career decisions with people who understand your responsibilities.
• Keep an alternative plan alongside your examination goal.

What was Jagrati Awasthi’s study routine?

Awasthi identified consistency as central to her routine and reported increasing her study hours as the examination approached. The following figures reflect her account in the interview, not recommended daily targets for every aspirant.

The transferable lesson is regularity, not the highest number in the table. For your own timetable, track what you understand, revise and practise. A demanding schedule is useful only if it remains workable alongside sleep, health and other responsibilities.

How did she use the syllabus, previous papers and online resources?

Her advice was to understand the UPSC syllabus, examine previous years’ question papers and use self-study supported by online resources. She encouraged aspirants to notice recurring types of questions so that preparation had a clearer direction.

In the reported interview, she said she had not attended a coaching centre and had watched the Sleepy Classes series on YouTube. This describes her learning route; it does not establish that one platform or one mode of preparation is necessary for success.

1. Read the relevant syllabus before deciding what to study.
2. Examine previous years’ papers to understand the scope and style of questions.
3. Connect your reading to syllabus topics rather than collecting unrelated material.
4. Use online explanations to address learning gaps, while retaining time for independent study.

How did she maintain motivation and mental well-being?

Awasthi credited supportive family members, encouraging friends and practices learnt at school with helping her stay focused. She said that she had learnt to focus and meditate during her school years, and that friends encouraged her when she felt low.

She also mentioned listening to music from Bundelkhand and cooking healthy recipes among her interests. Her advice to surround oneself with positive people highlights the value of a supportive environment during preparation. Aspirants can take encouragement from this without assuming that motivation must remain constant every day.

What was her vision for public service?

Awasthi expressed a desire to work for villages through stronger local livelihoods, public services and connectivity. Her stated priorities included small-scale industries, self-sustaining households, education, health and digital connectivity, with fewer people compelled to migrate.

For aspirants, this provides a final lesson: preparation should be connected to an understanding of public service, not only the pursuit of a rank. Reflecting on the issues you care about can give your studies a clearer purpose while you work through the demands of the examination.