How Prakshal Secretry Secured AIR 8 in UPSC CSE 2025 with PW

Prakshal Secretry’s journey to AIR 8 in UPSC CSE 2025 is a story of determination, setbacks, and perseverance. Coming from Bagh block in Madhya Pradesh, a predominantly tribal area with a reported literacy rate of around 39%, Prakshal had seen poverty, migration, and educational challenges closely.

His motivation to join the civil services was not simply about securing a prestigious position. He wanted to work for people in his community who faced difficulties in accessing education, employment, and other opportunities.

Prakshal prepared with PW’s Prahar batch and followed a disciplined approach throughout his UPSC journey. His preparation also included regular editorial discussions, current affairs, and consistent revision.

What Motivated Prakshal Secretry to Join the Civil Services

Prakshal comes from the Bagh area of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh. Growing up in an area where many families depended on agriculture and seasonal migration, he saw how economic challenges affected children's education.

According to him, many people from his area migrate to Gujarat for livelihood opportunities. This migration can also disrupt children's schooling because families may struggle to secure admission when they move between places.

This experience made Prakshal think about contributing to his community through public service.

He explained:

“Sir ek jo primary motivation mere liye tha... main ek aise area se aata hoon jahan par maine backwardness ko achhe se dekha hai.”

For him, UPSC was therefore connected to a larger purpose: working toward improving the conditions he had witnessed around him.

Prakshal Did Not Expect to See His Name at AIR 8

When the UPSC CSE 2025 result was released, Prakshal was unsure about how high his rank would be.

He opened the result PDF nervously and started checking the first page. When he saw his name at 8th position, he experienced a sense of relief and happiness.

He recalled:

“Itna toh expected nahi kiya tha... aur jab maine wahan pe dekha ki yaar... first page pe eighth pe hi hai, toh woh ek sukoon wali feeling hoti hai.”

His reaction reflected how uncertain the final result can feel even after years of preparation.

Prakshal Made Significant Sacrifices During UPSC Preparation

Prakshal believes that serious UPSC preparation requires sacrifices. One of the biggest changes he made was staying away from smartphones and social media.

For nearly two years, he did not use a smartphone. He also deactivated his social media profiles and changed his phone number so that unnecessary calls would not interrupt his studies.

Instead, he used a basic feature phone.

He explained:

“Last 2 years se mere paas smartphone nahi tha.”

For Prakshal, this was not about completely avoiding technology but about protecting his study time from distractions.

Prakshal Faced Major Setbacks Before Securing AIR 8

His final AIR 8 result came after experiencing significant disappointment in earlier attempts.

In his first UPSC attempt in 2023, he cleared Prelims and Mains and reached the interview stage, but could not make it to the final list.

After reaching the interview stage, expectations from his family and society also increased. The assumption was that once someone reached the interview stage, selection was almost certain.

However, Prakshal later faced another major setback when he could not clear Prelims.

That period became one of the lowest points of his preparation.

Prakshal Experienced Self-Doubt After Failing Prelims

After failing to clear Prelims following his earlier interview experience, Prakshal began questioning his preparation and future.

He wondered whether he was capable of clearing the examination and whether he should continue preparing.

He recalled:

“Self doubt chal raha tha andar se. Pata nahi hai ki aage kya hoga. Mera niklega ki bhi ki nahi niklega.”

Since he had graduated from IIT Kanpur, he also had the option of pursuing a corporate career. At one point, he considered leaving UPSC preparation rather than becoming stuck in what he described as the cycle of repeatedly attempting the examination.

The emotional pressure became particularly difficult because he was living in a hostel away from his family.

Prakshal Found Support From His Family, Friends and Teachers

During his lowest phase, Prakshal reached out to his father.

He recalled an emotional moment when he called his father and said:

“Papa, mujhse toh nahi ho raha.”

He broke down while speaking to him. He also discussed his situation with friends and teachers and asked whether he was moving in the right direction.

The support he received encouraged him to attempt the examination once again.

This support became an important turning point in his journey.

Prakshal Joined PW’s Prahar Batch During College

Prakshal started preparing for UPSC while he was still in college. He joined PW’s Prahar batch in 2022.

One reason he chose PW was affordability. Coming from a lower-middle-class family, keeping preparation costs manageable was important for him.

The online format was another major advantage because he could continue his college education while preparing for UPSC.

His graduation from IIT Kanpur was completed in 2023, meaning much of his initial UPSC preparation happened alongside his college studies.

He described the experience as:

“Mera jo Prahar chali hai woh poori college ke saath mein hi chali hai.”

Prakshal Appreciated PW’s Teaching Approach

Prakshal specifically highlighted the contribution of some PW teachers to his preparation.

For History, he appreciated Abhishek Sir’s timeline and story-based teaching approach. According to Prakshal, instead of treating History as a collection of isolated facts, the timeline approach helped him understand how events were connected.

He found this particularly useful during Prelims because the story-based understanding made it easier to recall information.

He also appreciated Shivam Sir’s approach to Science and Technology, particularly the way current affairs were connected with basic concepts.

According to Prakshal, this helped him understand current developments rather than simply memorising them.

Editorial Discussions Became Part of Prakshal’s Preparation

Prakshal started following PW’s editorial discussions around 2022, when he began his UPSC preparation.

Initially, reading newspaper editorials himself felt time-consuming. He explained that it could take several hours, leaving less time for other subjects.

After discovering PW's editorial discussions, he found it easier to understand the important points from the news.

He tried to follow the discussions regularly, although he sometimes accumulated a backlog.

Prakshal Integrated Current Affairs Into His Notes

Instead of maintaining completely separate notes for every newspaper article, Prakshal integrated useful current affairs information into his existing digital notes.

He mainly added:

• Important examples

• Data points

• Value-added information

• Relevant current affairs

• Points discussed during editorial sessions

This meant that when he revised his subject notes, the relevant current affairs information was already included.

His approach helped reduce the need to maintain and revise a completely separate set of newspaper notes.

Prakshal Believed in Hard Work and Discipline

One of the strongest messages from Prakshal’s journey is his belief in consistent hard work.

He considers hard work and discipline more important than relying on luck alone.

He shared:

“Mehnat hi hai jo aapko sab kuch de sakti hai.”

Even after experiencing a major setback, he decided that if hard work was something he could control, he would increase it rather than give up.

His eventual AIR 8 result became a reflection of that mindset.

Prakshal’s Journey From a Government School to IIT Kanpur

Prakshal's academic journey itself challenged his own doubts.

He completed his Class 12 education from a government school. Coming from such a background, he initially questioned whether he could make it to an institution like IIT.

However, he maintained a consistent academic record and received guidance that helped him believe that the goal was achievable.

He eventually graduated from IIT Kanpur.

His journey from a government school in a relatively backward region to IIT and then to AIR 8 in UPSC CSE 2025 demonstrates the role of persistence and self-belief.

Prakshal’s Message to UPSC Aspirants

Prakshal's journey offers several lessons for future UPSC aspirants:

• Stay disciplined: Consistency matters more than occasional bursts of motivation.

• Limit distractions: Removing unnecessary social media and smartphone use helped him protect his study time.

• Use reliable resources: He followed PW’s Prahar batch instead of constantly switching sources.

• Follow current affairs consistently: Editorial discussions became an important part of his preparation.

• Connect current affairs with concepts: Understanding the basics can make Science and Technology preparation more effective.

• Do not give up after setbacks: His own journey included both interview-stage disappointment and a Prelims failure.

• Seek support when needed: Family, friends, and teachers helped him overcome his lowest phase.

• Keep working: For Prakshal, hard work remained the one factor he could always control.

Prakshal Secretry’s AIR 8 in UPSC CSE 2025 came after a journey that included both success and setbacks. His experience highlights the importance of staying consistent, reviewing mistakes and continuing preparation even after disappointing results.

During his UPSC preparation, he used PW’s Prahar batch and editorial discussions alongside self-study and his own note-making approach. For future aspirants, his journey offers a practical lesson: stay disciplined, keep improving your preparation and focus on the effort you can control.