Five Setbacks. One Decision. AIR 45.
An Academic Profile of Priya Singh Chauhan: How she transformed multiple prelims failures into a top-50 UPSC 2025 ranking with the help of Anthropology Optional at Vijetha IAS Academy under the mentorship of NP Kishore Sir.
By Vijetha Editorial Desk | 12-min Read | Case Study
Key Points
- All India Rank: 45
- Total Attempts: 6
- Number of Prelims Failures: 5
- Wake Up Time: 4:00 AM
Introduction
The preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Examination requires talent and hard work, but persistence, proper guidance, and a sound strategy are crucial as well. The case of Priya Singh Chauhan – AIR 45, UPSC 2025 – is a perfect example of these aspects coming together. After suffering from multiple prelims failures, Priya chose to pursue Anthropology as her optional subject and joined the Anthropology Optional Classroom Program at Vijetha IAS Academy under the mentorship of NP Kishore Sir. In this profile, we will explore how successive setbacks were turned into a Top-50 rank.
Prelims: A Long Journey
Priya started preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2019. Despite five attempts, moving forward in the prelims had proved challenging for her. Data supports the experience of difficulty and negative emotions associated with repeated failures.
Setbacks Over Five Years:
- 2020: The first attempt with insufficient preparation
- 2021: Failed the preliminary exam
- 2022: Failed the preliminary exam
- 2023: Did not clear the prelims by 0.66 marks
- 2024: Failed the prelims exam
- 2025: Passed the prelims, mains, and personality test and became AIR 45
Repeated failures tend to erode confidence and lower motivation levels. At some point, Priya doubted whether she was cut out for the profession. However, she refused to surrender and decided to give it another try, using a new strategy.
"The decisive moment was not just an extra hour of study, but a choice of the right guide and adherence to a sound process."
— The Vijetha Way
Choosing the Right Strategy: Anthropology Optional Classroom Program
As a result of strategic change, Priya enrolled in the Anthropology Optional Classroom Program at Vijetha IAS Academy. The course provided four key components that had been missing in her preparations:
- Clarity of concepts: breaking down theories to their basics
- Coverage of the syllabus: systematic learning without gaps
- Answer writing practice: structured, UPSC style, daily
- Mentoring: ongoing guidance throughout the entire journey
With the help of NP Kishore Sir, Anthropology became an understandable discipline.
UPSC Topper's Result- Click here
The Guide: NP Kishore Sir
A pivotal part in Priya's story was the mentoring provided by her guide. He helped transform the subject into a score-fetching topic by:
- Breaking down complex theories into comprehensible frameworks
- Teaching how to answer the questions like a UPSC examiner does
- Training students in creating diagrams to earn high marks
- Making connections between the Anthropology concepts and real-life situations
Working Full-Time During Preparations
Priya managed to combine the demands of professional life with intensive preparations for the exam. She worked as an Accountant in the Ministry of Home Affairs. To cope with time scarcity, she developed a strict schedule of studying during the morning hours.
Daily Schedule:
- 04:00 AM – waking up and starting studying even before getting out of bed
- 04:00–09:00 AM – five hours of intensive studying
- 09:00 AM – evening – full-time work at the ministry
- Weekends – long study sessions and revision
She has built an efficient and sustainable routine that does not induce exhaustion.
Four Cornerstones of Priya's Anthropology Preparation
To maximize efficiency, Priya adhered to the following practices:
- Minimum study material: relying on textbooks and class notes from Vijetha IAS Academy
- Repeated revisions: learning and reviewing the same topics until mastering them
- Daily answer writing: practicing answering past-year questions after obtaining feedback from the mentor
- Condensed short notes: compiling short notes for Mains revision
Reasons to Choose a Classroom Program
This case shows that, for many candidates, a classroom program can be more beneficial than independent study. The Anthropology Optional Classroom Program offered by Vijetha IAS Academy provides:
- A consistent coverage of the syllabus
- Clarity of concepts for all topics
- Training in formulating high-score answers
- Constant feedback from a mentor
Last Attempt: AIR 45
Having assumed that the next try would be her last, Priya managed to synchronize perfectly all the necessary conditions:
- Clearing the prelims in the first attempt of the final cycle
- Scoring adequately for the first time during the Mains exam
- Passing the personality test successfully
- The ultimate result: becoming AIR 45 in UPSC CSE 2025
"Her advancement was not only the product of additional efforts but of smarter planning: selecting a suitable guide, choosing the correct optional, and building a solid strategy."
Five Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants
- Takeaway #1 – Persistence amid prelims failures; marginal differences do not dictate outcomes.
- Takeaway #2 – Choosing an optional subject wisely; it is a decision involving three papers.
- Takeaway #3 – Revisions over diversifications; mastering fewer materials guarantees success.
- Takeaway #4 – Daily answer writing practice; it transforms knowledge into scores.
- Takeaway #5 – Collaboration with experts; proper guidance often outweighs personal efforts.
Conclusion
The story of Priya Singh Chauhan highlights that persistent effort and dedicated preparation are instrumental to success in competitive exams. Her positive outcome, which has been achieved with the help of the Anthropology Optional Classroom Program at Vijetha IAS Academy and the mentorship of NP Kishore Sir, proves the effectiveness of targeted preparation. The moral of the story is clear: an effective strategy, competent guidance, and determination, not intelligence are crucial for succeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question #1 – Why is Anthropology Optional considered a good choice for UPSC?
It boasts a compact syllabus, good score patterns, and significant overlaps with General Studies.
Question #2 – How do candidates benefit from the Anthropology Optional Classroom Program?
By receiving structured guidance, constant answer writing training, and comprehensive syllabus coverage.
Question #3 – Is it important to practice answer writing in Anthropology Optional?
Yes. It is the main criterion for UPSC Mains performance.
Question #4 – Can people work full-time and prepare for UPSC with Anthropology Optional?
Yes. It is possible with proper time management and expert guidance. Priya Singh Chauhan's AIR 45 proves the possibility of success while being employed.
Question #5 – Who is NP Kishore Sir?
He is an experienced guide in Anthropology, known for providing proper guidance to his students to achieve high scores in UPSC Mains.
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