{"id":17636,"date":"2025-04-24T14:22:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T14:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/?p=17636"},"modified":"2025-05-12T14:07:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:07:37","slug":"aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper\/","title":{"rendered":"Aakash Garg AIR 5, UPSC 2024: Strategy &amp; More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><strong>Aakash Garg<\/strong>, originally from Delhi and a Computer Science Engineering graduate, scored <strong>All India Rank 5<\/strong> in the <strong>UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024<\/strong>. He fell short of clearing the prelims in his very first attempt and then had the courage to refine his strategy and try again. He chose Sociology as his optional subject and believed in himself, following a regular pattern of study, for which he stood to spend at least six to seven hours per day, and giving high priority to answer writing and regular newspaper reading to maximize his preparation. His journey initiates the chapters of perseverance, strategic thinking, and adaptability in achieving success in the UPSC tests.<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_56_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper\/#About_the_Aakash_Garg_AIR_5_UPSC_2024\" title=\"About the Aakash Garg AIR 5, UPSC 2024\">About the Aakash Garg AIR 5, UPSC 2024<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper\/#Educational_Background_and_Other_Details_of_Aakash_Garg\" title=\"Educational Background and Other Details of Aakash Garg\">Educational Background and Other Details of Aakash Garg<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper\/#Program_Enrolled_by_Aakash_Garg_at_NEXT_IAS\" title=\"Program Enrolled by Aakash Garg at NEXT IAS\">Program Enrolled by Aakash Garg at NEXT IAS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper\/#Strategy_of_Aakash_Garg_AIR_05_UPSC_CSE_2024_Topper\" title=\"Strategy of Aakash Garg, AIR 05, UPSC CSE 2024 Topper\">Strategy of Aakash Garg, AIR 05, UPSC CSE 2024 Topper<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/aakash-garg-air-5-upsc-2024-topper\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aakash Garg AIR 5 | UPSC CSE 2024 Topper\u2019s Mock Interview | NEXT IAS\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/99pz23S2ZZs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_the_Aakash_Garg_AIR_5_UPSC_2024\"><\/span><strong>About the Aakash Garg AIR 5, UPSC 2024<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aakash Garg<\/strong>, a B.Tech graduate in Computer Science from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, Delhi, achieved AIR 5 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2024, in his second attempt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After failing to clear the prelims for the first time, he changed his strategy to catapult his efforts into quality over quantity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sociology being the optional subject, this student appreciated the short syllabus and how it related to current affairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The preparation strategy included 6\u20137 hours of daily study, frequent revision, and regular answer writing practice without adding aerobic physical exercise and mental well-being into the schedule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His disciplined work ethic and changeability established how big perseverance and smart work are to conquer UPSC success.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Educational_Background_and_Other_Details_of_Aakash_Garg\"><\/span><strong>Educational Background and Other Details of Aakash Garg<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aakash Garg, who with his feat in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2024 obtained an All India Rank of 5, resides in Delhi and has a B.Tech in Computer Science from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology (MAIT) which is under Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He completed his schooling from Hansraj Model School, Punjabi Bagh. Despite failing in preliminary tests during the first attempt, Aakash put in impressive effort and took out the exam on the second attempt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sociology was selected as an optional subject because it had a brief syllabus and overlapped with General Studies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aakash, for example, dedicated 6-7 hours every day to serious study, along with reading the newspapers regularly, constant revision, and answer writing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A disciplined routine, mentorship support, and a physical and mental balance created through exercise account for his success.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The journey of Aakash illustrates resilience, strategic preparation, and continuous self-improvement as essential factors to succeed in reaching one of India&#8217;s most challenging examinations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Program_Enrolled_by_Aakash_Garg_at_NEXT_IAS\"><\/span><strong>Program Enrolled by Aakash Garg at NEXT IAS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Aakash Garg<\/strong> was part of the following programs at NEXT IAS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/classroom-courses\/interview-guidance-program\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/classroom-courses\/interview-guidance-program\"><strong>Interview Guidance Program<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GS Test Series<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"ratio ratio-16x9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aakash Garg AIR 5 | UPSC CSE 2024 Topper\u2019s Mock Interview | NEXT IAS #mockinterview\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9TlH4QI24XU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strategy_of_Aakash_Garg_AIR_05_UPSC_CSE_2024_Topper\"><\/span><strong>Strategy of Aakash Garg, AIR 05, UPSC CSE 2024 Topper<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Akash Garg&#8217;s<\/strong> rise to <strong>AIR 5 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024<\/strong> exemplifies the pillars of strategy, perseverance, and a harmonious lifestyle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After failing to clear the prelims in his first attempt, Akash fashioned his strategy in such a way as to work smarter rather than harder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He divided his day into 6-7 hours of study, concentrating on quality, not quantity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His preparation involved intensive revision of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/free-downloads\/download-ncert-books\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/free-downloads\/download-ncert-books\"><strong>NCERTs<\/strong><\/a> and standard textbooks like Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth and Indian Economy by Nitin Singhania.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Answer writing and mock tests were very much a part of his preparation, helping him sharpen his analytical skills and time-management capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aakash chose Sociology as his optional subject, making it work for him by leveraging the overlap with General Studies and current affairs. Going for a walk, exercising, meditating, and watching some web series kept him mentally healthy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For the final touch, he used AI tools to polish all his answers, ensuring they were well structured and factually correct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His story tells us about being flexible, being consistent, and taking a balanced approach to UPSC preparation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Aakash Garg<\/strong> secured the <strong>5th rank with AIR in the 2024 UPSC CSE examination<\/strong>, proving despite obstacles that strategic preparation, consistent effort, and a balanced lifestyle pave the way for success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Also Read:<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/shakti-dubey-air-1-upsc-2024-topper\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/shakti-dubey-air-1-upsc-2024-topper\/\"><strong>Shakti Dubey AIR 1, UPSC 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/harshita-goyal-air-2-upsc-2024-topper\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/harshita-goyal-air-2-upsc-2024-topper\/\"><strong>Harshita Goyal AIR 2, UPSC 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/shah-margi-chirag-air-4-upsc-2024-topper\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/shah-margi-chirag-air-4-upsc-2024-topper\/\"><strong>Shah Margi Chirag AIR 4, UPSC 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/upsc-result-2024\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/upsc-result-2024\/\"><strong>UPSC Final Result 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/upsc-cut-off-2024\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/upsc-cut-off-2024\/\"><strong>UPSC Cut-off 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aakash Garg, originally from Delhi and a Computer Science Engineering graduate, scored All India Rank 5 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":17926,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[476,843],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17636","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-upsc-cse","category-preparation-strategy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17636","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17636"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17818,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17636\/revisions\/17818"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}