Dongre AIR 3: How Philosophy & Consistency Cracked UPSC 2024

Who is Dongre?

Dongre Archit Parag secured All India Rank (AIR) 3 in the UPSC CSE Exam 2024. He is from Pune, Maharashtra, and at 26 years old (born in 1999), he became the highest-ranking candidate from Maharashtra in UPSC 2024. He opted for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Educational Background

He completed his schooling in Mumbai and junior college in Pune. He graduated with a B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Tamil Nadu.

UPSC Journey and Attempts

Dongre secured AIR 3 in his third attempt. In his first attempt, he missed qualifying for the Prelims by 2 marks. In his second attempt (2023), he secured AIR 153 and was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) in the AGMUT cadre. He attempted the UPSC Exam 2024 again and achieved AIR 3, with a total score of 1038.

Dongre’s UPSC Preparation Strategy

• Study Approach: Not specified, but he enrolled in Vajiram & Ravi's three-month Interview Guidance Program.
• Daily Routine: Prioritized consistency in his preparation.
• Prelims Strategy: Focused on a focused approach.
• Mains Strategy: Adaptability was key to his success.
• Role of Current Affairs: Not specified.

Optional Subject Strategy (Philosophy)

Archit chose Philosophy as his optional subject because he considered it a scoring subject with conceptual overlap with General Studies papers. Paper I focused on Western and Indian philosophy. Paper II dealt with socio-political philosophy, ethics, and philosophy of religion.

Interview Preparation

He enrolled in Vajiram & Ravi's three-month Interview Guidance Program.

Key Takeaways from Dongre’s Success

• Focused approach.
• Prioritizing consistency.
• Adaptability.
• Philosophy as an optional subject.

Final Words

Dongre's journey is a testament to resilience and strategic preparation. His success is an inspiration, reminding future aspirants that consistent effort and adaptability are key to achieving their dreams in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. He serves as a symbol of hope and dedication for aspirants, particularly those from Maharashtra.

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