How Koh E Safa, an MBBS Graduate, Cracked UPSC in Her Second Attempt with Self-Study, Revision and PW Support

For many UPSC aspirants, preparing for Prelims and Mains together can be challenging. Deciding what to study, which sources to follow, and how to balance revision, PYQs, answer writing, and other preparation requires a clear strategy. The right direction and focused preparation can help aspirants use their time and resources more effectively.

Koh E Safa’s UPSC journey reflects this approach. After analysing her first attempt, she worked on her preparation with greater focus on basic sources, revision, PYQ practice and Mains preparation. Her journey also included support from PW through its mock interview, interview guidance programme and Udaan material.

How Koh E Safa Began Her UPSC Preparation

Koh E Safa had already appeared for UPSC Prelims once before her successful attempt. She explained that her first attempt was made with only a few months of preparation, which helped her understand that a more structured approach was needed.

She then analysed her preparation and focused more seriously on the examination.

“I think first of all is sailing through Prelims. Prelims ke liye bhi mujhe lagta hai pehli baar maine Prelims diya tha and I could qualify it because that was just like actually I gave my first attempt in just three to four months of preparation.”

She later worked on both Prelims and Mains instead of completely separating the two stages.

“But then I sat and like acche se sab kuch analyze kiya. Acche se padhai ki Prelims ka thoda Mains ka bhi kiya.”

This analysis helped her approach the next attempt with greater clarity about the examination and the preparation required.

Koh E Safa’s Strategy for Prelims and Mains

After analysing her earlier preparation, Koh E Safa focused on strengthening her basic sources and core subjects. She also highlighted the importance of revision, PYQs and CSAT practice for Prelims.

For her, depending too much on current affairs without strengthening the basics could make preparation less effective.

“Prelims ke liye aapke basic jaise current affair ke peeche log kaafi bhaagte rehte hain. But usse zyada important aapke basic sources hain, jo basic aapke core subjects hain un pe bahut zyada focus kiya hona chahiye.”

She also explained the importance of preparing for Mains before clearing Prelims, particularly the optional subject and answer writing.

“And secondly for Mains, I think bahut log Mains ko bhi kaafi ignore karte hain. They think ke mains baad mein hi dekhenge after clearing Prelims. But wo nahi ho pata hai. Specially aapka optional to acche se prepare hona chahiye.”

According to her, answer presentation was another important part of Mains preparation.

“Mains mein the most important thing is to present your answers good, acche se structured way mein aapka answer writing skill I would say should be, you should develop that skill.”

Koh E Safa Prepared Medical Science as Her Optional

Koh E Safa had Medical Science as her optional subject and used the books she had already studied during her MBBS preparation. Instead of reading complete books again, she focused on the topics relevant to the syllabus.

She explained how she organised the material according to the required topics.

“Maine mostly apne jo purani standard books the jinhein maine MBBS ke time pe padha tha, that is the same material I used.”

She also created PDFs and handwritten notes for selected topics to make revision easier.

“Kuch mein maine apne notes bana liye. Handwritten jaise Anatomy jaise subjects hote hain. Kuch aur bhi kuch-kuch subjects to I made some handwritten notes.”

For the test series, she used an online UPSC medical-focused coaching platform. Her preparation therefore combined familiar academic books, self-made notes and test practice.

How PW Supported Koh E Safa’s UPSC Preparation

PW was part of Koh E Safa’s preparation mainly through its mock interview and interview guidance programme. She also referred to Udaan magazine and some of its Prelims material.

She specifically mentioned her participation in the interview-related programme.

“I gave the UPSC mock interview, mera interview guidance program mein enrolled thi main, which was good. Maine mock interview diya tha.”

Apart from the interview support, she also used PW’s Udaan material for some subjects during Prelims preparation.

“Other than that maine thoda sa jo Udaan magazine aati hai Prelims ke liye jo material aata hai wo bhi beech mein kuch-kuch subjects mein refer kiya tha and that was very good.”

Koh E Safa also spoke about PW’s broader initiative of making educational resources more accessible. She particularly highlighted its free study material.

“I think it was a very good step especially to make education affordable for everyone.”

She further mentioned the free material available for aspirants preparing for Mains and current affairs.

“The Free material that PW is providing especially for the Mains, as well as Prahaar magazine are there, Udaan is there, current affairs.”

Koh E Safa’s Advice for Future UPSC Aspirants

After clearing the examination in her second attempt, Koh E Safa emphasised the importance of hard work, a clear strategy and proper guidance. She also advised aspirants to avoid depending on too many sources.

Her advice was to select a particular source and revise it multiple times instead of constantly switching between resources.

“Final advice from my side is that you need to obviously work hard. Aap apni strategy achhi rakho. You should have proper guidance on what to do and what not to do.”

She also stressed that watching lectures repeatedly should not be confused with actual studying.

“Apni ek particular source rakho. Usko multiple times revise karo. And I would even go on to saying that don't watch videos again and again.”

Koh E Safa’s journey highlights the importance of analysing an earlier attempt, strengthening basic sources, revising repeatedly and developing the ability to study independently. Her experience also shows how targeted support such as mock interviews and interview guidance can become part of a broader UPSC preparation strategy. PW supports UPSC aspirants at different stages of preparation through UPSC Online batches, course material, mock tests, mock interviews and free resources such as Udaan and Prahar magazines, helping candidates prepare for Prelims, Mains and the Interview in a guided manner.