Can A PhD Be A Good Backup For A UPSC Aspirant?
I have been working with such persons since year 2011, from my IIT Delhi days.
Had closely watched the process and at the same time I am associated with UPSC too.
So I am trying to put my views here-
I don’t think so PhD as a backup for UPSC?
See, if you’re going for PhD/UPSC then this itself needs some months or years for getting enrolled. Either GATE/ CSIR or independent exam preparation. Once you get into it , you will have to be in the department for long hours to finish your research paper/s, taking tutorials for undergraduates or postgraduates depend on your institution. Third, most important is – fulfilling demand in the form of exam copy evaluation, some extra jobs allocated by your guide.(probably).
These above steps will be covering your most of time. With PhD you can prepare for UPSC, only in case your guide is very humble to you and takes research very lightly (which doesn’t happen in most of cases), otherwise your PhD will be just a piece of paper (copied research papers).
Mindset
PhD needs a strict thinking in your particular topic only. It may not be that much required for your UPSC optional ( because UPSC needs undergraduate stuff, little bit from PG). Whereas in Research we tend to work more comprehensively with topic not in general or doesn’t focus on practice questions like a graduate. So if you think you will rock in optional, believe me this can be disastrous. Many candidates are out of mains because of their such strategy only.
If still you want to go for UPSC, then do it in either of the way-
Focus for three years only on PhD, finish your research papers first. Try to do it in first one and half year only. Search a humble guide. Mentally being strong to face downs in UPSC journey. Yes you can apply for teaching with your PhD side by side and back up job.
Now in the third year of your research, when you have done almost your research work, go for full shot for UPSC, with complete dedication. UPSC needs it
In other way, first two years go for UPSC preparation and finish all basics and take One Attempt for UPSC. Now if clicked in the selected pdf of UPSC, then it’s very good. otherwise 6 hours in a day for UPSC and rest of the time for PhD research work with continuous attempt in UPSC. ( It has less chances to go for PhD because that much enthusiasm wouldn’t be remained, I think.)
How do I crack the UPSC CSE in the first attempt while being under any circumstances?
After getting multiple booster doses, you may feel that what rubbish I’m talking. But I believe that in current scenarios where maximum Aspirants are motivated through short videos on YouTube and insta reels; The most important thing is- Not to be hyper positive.
So yes it’s possible to clear this exam in the very first attempt but this temperament *under any circumstances* comes under hyper positivity as per my experience of this journey. Because it may hamper your day to day effectivity. As in this case, after each class, mock test, you’ll be very happy if got good marks but will be mad if you’re getting less marks let’s say in consecutive mocks. Yeah, I saw this practically, so I put here.
