Clearing UPSC with a background in science or engineering is absolutely possible. We’ve hundreds of such examples around us. You can see the recent trend that engineering students mostly find a place in the final list. You have to make sure that you leverage your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
Let’s see some examples where candidates with science or engineering backgrounds have successfully cleared the UPSC exam.
1. Athar Amir(UPSC topper)( Engineering Graduate)
● Story: Amir was an engineering graduate from IIT.
● He chose Philosophy as his optional.
● He focused on basic subjects like NCERT and Current affairs.
● He read all the basic books on optional also, which helped him for strong foundation in optional also, being an engineering graduate he tried to understand things technically and used different methods which he used throughout his engineering studies.
● Result: Amir cleared the UPSC exam in his first attempt and got IAS in second attempt, securing a top rank and becoming an IAS officer.
● His success was largely due to his confidence that working hard and focusing on basics will pave the way for success.
● He prepared his optional well by joining one of the courses.
● He was also able to integrate his personal life in answers
○ Examples: A question was asked in an ethics paper about things which will give you bliss.
■ He simply wrote: getting up early in the morning, giving to needy, helping parents, clearing given task on time etc
● Amir proved that the background doesn’t make a big difference if you prepare with the right strategy and guidance.
2. Benjo P Jose(UPSC topper CSE 2023)
● He was a mathematics graduate from St. Stephen’s College Delhi.
● He started preparing for civil service one year after graduating.
● He initially failed two prelims in first two attempts and reached the Personality Test in third and got placed in the final list in 2023.
● He chose anthropology as optional and started preparing it along with GS.
● He was able to connect the GS with his subjects in graduation.
● He had good command over CSAT due to mathematics background.
● Though failing initially, he was able to locate his faults by joining the mentorship programme and balancing the optional and GS.
● He qualified the exam with 300+ score in optional.
3. Ravi ( UPSC topper-Engineering Graduate)
● Subject Chosen: Geography (optional)
● Story: Ravi was an Electrical Engineering graduate
● He opted for Geography as his optional subject.
● The reason was the subject’s scientific approach and connection with various current affairs topics, such as climate change, environmental issues.
● The role of geography in social development appealed to him.
● He could also see many topics in Geography and General Studies (especially in the areas of Environment and Ecology) overall.
● It helped him save preparation time.
● Result: Ravi was able to clear the UPSC exam in his first attempt.
○ His background in engineering helped him understand the technical aspects of Geography,
● While preparing he was able to focus on both the optional and GS papers which ensured his success.
Conclusion
While choosing a subject which is aligned with your background, interests, and has potential overlap with General Studies can greatly help in managing the preparation for the UPSC exam. There are hundreds of science and engineering graduates who have successfully cleared the exam by using their strengths, they tailored efficient strategies to their chosen subject which made their journey of UPSC easier.