My Experience with UPSC Mains 2020: A Thorough Analysis and Reflection

Introduction

My journey with the UPSC Mains 2020 was a bumpy road. This is my first attempt and the experience was quite daunting. Although I attempted all the questions, the quality of my answers varied. Here, I reflect on my performance in different sections and provide insight into my thought process and preparation.

Evaluation of My Attempts

During the UPSC Mains 2020, I submitted a mixed bag of answers. Here is a detailed breakdown:

Hindi Language: Attempted 5 out of 6 questions. English Compulsory: Attempted 4 out of 5 questions. General Studies 1 (GS1): Attempted all 20 questions, but with a different quality. 14 good, 4 average, and 2 below average. General Studies 2 (GS2): Attempted all 20 questions, with 15 good, 4 average, and 1 below average. General Studies 3 (GS3): Attempted all 20 questions, with 17 good, 3 average. General Studies 4 (GS4): Attempted 19 out of 24 questions, with first part (out of 13) having 6 good, 3 average, and 4 below average answers. Essay: Attempted both. They were good, but I am not confident about their merit. Optional Chemistry: Paper 1 - Attempted 235 questions, 195 perfect; Paper 2 - Attempted 240 questions, 160 right. It was historically unconventional. Optional Geography: Overall moderate difficulty, but one or two questions were challenging. Finished all questions, but many answers lacked essential keywords and concepts.

Analysis of Each Section

Let’s dive deeper into each section to understand my experience better.

General Studies 1 (GS1)

GS1 was more or less moderate for me. However, time management was a significant issue. Towards the end, I had to hastily write three answers in a rush, which I could not even read back again.

General Studies 2 (GS2)

GS2 was a real challenge. My confidence after GS1 was very low, and this affected my performance in GS2. The paper was heavily focused on current affairs such as the QUAD and the new education policy. I completed the paper but compromised on the quality of many answers.

General Studies 3 (GS3)

GS3 was the only paper where I was confident and attempted all the questions. It was a satisfying experience, but I wish I had more time to polish my answers further.

General Studies 4 (GS4)

GS4 was the most extensive paper, with a length of 24 questions. The case studies took a considerable chunk of time. Despite finishing the paper on time, the structure of my answers was not as robust as I desired.

Essay

For the philosophical essays, I was not fully prepared. Both essays were good attempts, but my confidence in their quality is limited.

Optional Chemistry

The optional chemistry papers were a mixed bag. Paper 1 was better, with 195 out of 235 questions correct. Paper 2, though, was completely unconventional, and I had to adapt quickly. Despite these challenges, I managed to answer 160 out of 240 questions correctly.

Optional Geography

The optional geography papers were of moderate difficulty, though a few questions were challenging. I finished all questions but often missed out on essential keywords and geographical concepts in my answers.

Conclusion

Overall, my performance in the UPSC Mains 2020 was subpar, and I underperformed significantly. The experience was a stark reminder that there is much to be desired in terms of preparation and execution. I am awaiting the results and am left with the choice of either appearing for the Preliminary exam or accepting the outcome. Regardless, I am determined to rejoin the UPSC cycle with renewed energy and a revised plan.