Blogs

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Essay

Gautam Vivekanandan (AIR-211 CSE-22) Essay 149 Marks

Introduction Hello fellow aspirants. My name is Gautam Vivekanandan. I live in Valsad, Gujarat and I hold a B. Tech degree in Electronics & Communication engineering. I secured AIR 211 in UPSC CSE 2022, and this was my first attempt. During college, I had joined weekend…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Comprehensive Strategy

Sonnet Jose (AIR-54 CSE-24) Comprehensive Strategy

Hello everyone, I am Sonnet Jose, and I secured AIR 54 in this year's UPSC CSE. I come from Kottayam district of Kerala. This was my second attempt. In my first attempt, I reached the interview stage. My optional subject was Geography. My Journey So Far I graduated from Miranda…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Motivational Journey

Priyanka Goel (AIR-369 CSE-22) Motivational Journey

Priyanka Goel secured AIR-369 in CSE-22 in her 6th & final attempt! What awaits you in this post is her journey of sheer grit and determination. She has also shared her Public Administration Optional Strategy vide which she scored 292 Marks. Introduction I am Priyanka Goel…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

My Answer Writing Strategy

Answer writing is of course the foundation of CSE MAINS. Once you develop a good answer writing skill, you can be confident of clearing MAINS 10/10 times. My scores in GS: 340 --> 387 --> 426 --> 463. My Strategy involves more than just answer writing. Let’s move in…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Optionals

Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak (AIR-11 CSE-21) Maths 286 Marks

Hi All, Its my pleasure to share Maths optional strategy of Shubhankar Pratyush Pathak who secured AIR-11 in CSE-21 and that too in his very 1st attempt!! He has already shared a detailed write up on his Prelims and Mains Strategy, which I must say is a must read for all…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Mains · Ethics

Ethics Section-A Answer writing

Section-A generally includes 12-13 questions of 10-marks each amounting to 120-130 marks. These are to be answered in 150 words and 2 pages are provided to do the same. A 10-marker question shall be answered within 7 minutes. Questions are mostly analytical or at times…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Optionals

Tushar Gupta (AIR-113 CSE-17) PSIR 294 Marks

Courtesy Tushar. PSIR strategy in his words: I had attended Shubra Ranjan Mam’s classes as my attempts at reading the optional on my own were a complete failure. It started in Dec 2016 and went on for around 5 months. She has a very lucid and a beautiful way of teaching such…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Mains · My Answer Copies

My GS-1 Answer Copy

I have uploaded my GS-1 answer copy here. Aspirants should look for the answer structure, number of points, keywords, diagrams etc and try to apply the same in their own answers.

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

Reports/Surveys for Mains GS

Hi All, Various reports are prescribed to be read for Mains answer writing. Reports mention facts, keywords, challenges and solutions related to an issue. Quoting these helps in gaining edge over those who don't quote such reports. Various reports are: Reports for GS1: Census…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Mains · Answer Writing Strategies

When & How To Start Answer Writing Practice?

When To Start? Answer writing is game of both what and how. You must first know what to write and then see how to write. Therefore, you cannot start answer writing till you have not covered fare amount of syllabus. If you start it too early, you won't know what to write and then…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Mains General Studies

Muskan Dagar (AIR-72 CSE-22) GS 470 Marks & Ethics 141 Marks

Muskan Dagar secured AIR-72 in CSE-22 and is the GS TOPPER with 470 Marks & GS-4 TOPPER with 141 Marks! Here she has detailed her strategy. Introduction I am Muskan Dagar. I come from Village Sehlanga, District Jhajjar, Haryana. I have secured AIR 72 in UPSC CSE 2022. This…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026

23 May 2026

Topper Strategies · Mains General Studies

Abhishek Dawachya (AIR-610 CSE-22) GS-1 128 Marks

Following is Abhishek Dawachya's Strategy who not only secured AIR-610 in CSE-22 but also scored the highest marks (128) in GS-1 among the selected candidates. Here, he has covered Detailed Prelims & Mains Topic Wise Sources, his GS-1 strategy (along with a mock test copy)…

Decode Civils · 23 May 2026