Neha Rajput UPSC 2025 AIR 51: First Attempt Success & Full Preparation Strategy

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Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is often considered one of the most demanding academic challenges in India. Yet, Neha Rajput, with her calm determination, disciplined routine, and intelligent strategy, not only cleared this prestigious exam in her first attempt, but also secured a remarkable All India Rank (AIR) 51 in UPSC CSE 2025.

Her journey, as detailed in an insightful interview with LevelUp IAS, has become a source of motivation for lakhs of aspirants. Neha’s story is proof that with focused effort, self-belief, and a strategic approach, even the toughest of exams can be conquered.

Introduction: The Mindset of a Topper

What sets Neha Rajput apart from others is her balanced mindset. From the beginning, she maintained a belief in herself while being realistic about her limitations. She did not aim for perfection but for consistent progress, a philosophy that carried her through every stage of the exam — Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

She emphasizes that UPSC is not just about intelligence — it’s about discipline, clarity, and smart work. Let’s break down her approach.

1. Smart Reading and Minimalist Note-Making

One of the most unique features of Neha’s preparation was her approach to note-making. In contrast to the common habit of creating elaborate notes for every topic, Neha took a leaner approach.

She did not make daily notes from newspapers.
Instead, she focused on understanding themes and revisiting key issues regularly.
For subjects like History, Polity, and Environment, she revised the same source multiple times rather than shifting to newer ones.

She firmly believes that too many notes can become overwhelming. By focusing on limited resources and revisiting them repeatedly, she gained conceptual clarity and saved time during revision.

2. Structuring Her Preparation with a Realistic Timeline

Neha started her preparation with a clear and flexible timeline. Rather than being rigid, she allowed room for self-assessment and adjustments.

In the initial months, she prioritized difficult subjects like Polity and Economy.
She broke down her syllabus month-wise and week-wise, focusing on topics that she found tough or had low confidence in.
Neha’s study plan was not about long hours but about high-quality focus during the time she studied.

This helped her build momentum and stay motivated even when the syllabus seemed endless. Her advice is to set daily goals, not just long-term targets, and track your performance honestly.

3. A Thoughtful Take on Current Affairs

When it comes to current affairs, Neha again took a strategic approach. Rather than getting caught up in the volume of news, she focused on understanding the story behind the headlines.

She read The Hindu or Indian Express daily but didn’t highlight everything.
Instead, she tried to link current issues with static syllabus topics, like governance, economy, environment, or ethics.
For instance, if there was news about environmental policy, she’d revisit the Environment section of her GS syllabus and connect both.

This thematic understanding helped her in both Prelims (factual clarity) and Mains (analytical depth). She avoided the trap of reading multiple current affairs compilations — relying on one reliable source and making sense of it thoroughly.

4. Early Answer Writing Practice — A Game Changer

Many aspirants wait until just before the Mains to start practicing answer writing. Neha, however, began early — a decision that she credits as crucial to her high rank.

She started writing answers within 2-3 months of starting her preparation.
Initially, her answers were not perfect — but regular writing helped her improve structure, clarity, and time management.
She followed the Intro–Body–Conclusion (IBC) format and practiced writing balanced, to-the-point answers.

For GS papers, she also practiced value addition through examples, case studies, and government schemes — something UPSC appreciates in Mains.

5. Role of Mock Tests and Self-Evaluation

Neha insists that mock tests are not just tools for assessment — they’re also tools for learning.

She took multiple full-length Prelims and Mains tests under timed conditions.
Instead of just checking scores, she analyzed each mock test thoroughly.
She noted mistakes, figured out why she chose the wrong option, and ensured she wouldn’t repeat the same error.

Mock tests helped her develop the mental stamina needed to sit through long exams and make decisions under pressure — especially important for the CSAT and GS Paper II.

6. The Power of Mindset: Consistency over Intensity

What truly defined Neha’s preparation was her mindset.

She didn’t believe in burning out with 12-hour study marathons. Instead, she believed in 4-6 focused hours every day.
She allowed herself breaks, rest, and even a mental reset when things got overwhelming.
During the exam days, she kept her nerves in check, avoided panic, and went in with a calm, positive attitude.

According to Neha, mindset is 50% of UPSC prep. You may know the syllabus well, but without a stable mindset, you can lose confidence under pressure.

7. Her Message to Future Aspirants

Neha Rajput’s UPSC journey is one of clarity, determination, and balance. Her message to aspirants is simple yet powerful:

Don’t chase every book or every YouTube video — stick to limited sources.
Understand the “why” behind every concept, not just the “what”.
Start answer writing early — even if you’re not perfect.
Don’t compare your journey with others — go at your own pace.
Stay calm, stay consistent, and most importantly, believe in your process.

Conclusion: A Model of Grace, Grit, and Growth

Neha Rajput’s AIR 51 success in her very first UPSC attempt is a testament to the fact that smart preparation can outperform mindless hard work. She didn’t rely on coaching miracles or overnight cramming. Instead, she succeeded because she followed a structured, self-aware plan — one that prioritized quality, reflection, and continuous improvement.

For every UPSC aspirant wondering where to start or how to stay consistent, Neha’s journey is not just inspiring — it’s instructive. Her strategy is not about copying someone else’s timetable but about crafting one that works for you and sticking to it with discipline and belief.

With such a mindset, Neha reminds us: