UPSC preparation, especially when it comes to geography optional, often gets boxed into a rigid formula—study hard, isolate yourself, and repeat. But AIR 50 Ishitwa Anand breaks this myth completely.
From scoring 215 in the UPSC interview to mastering geography optional, his journey is less about blind hard work and more about clarity, balance, and smart strategy.
Let’s break down what actually worked for him.
Contents
- 1 1. UPSC Preparation: Not Just Hard Work, But Smart Direction
- 2 2. Geography Optional Strategy That Worked
- 3 3. How He Scored 215 in UPSC Interview
- 4 4. Social Media & Hobbies: Distraction or Tool?
- 5 5. Study Planning: Hours Over Days
- 6 6. GS Strategy: Focus on Weak Areas
- 7 7. The Power of Analysis & Prediction
- 8 8. Notes-Making Strategy (Game Changer)
- 9 9. Use of AI, YouTube & Online Resources
- 10 10. Biggest Lesson: Don’t Lose Yourself
- 11 Final Takeaway
- 12 Check out our Geography Optional Course – Click Here
1. UPSC Preparation: Not Just Hard Work, But Smart Direction
Ishitwa makes one thing very clear—hard work is non-negotiable. But doing it without direction is where most aspirants go wrong.
What this really means:
- Don’t treat UPSC as your entire life
- Avoid mechanical preparation
- Have a purpose beyond just clearing the exam
He focused on:
- Adding innovation to study methods
- Building personality along with knowledge
- Keeping preparation meaningful, not just repetitive
2. Geography Optional Strategy That Worked
His geography optional approach was structured, layered, and deeply analytical.
Core Strategy
- Built own notes (6–7 notebooks) by combining:
- Coaching notes
- College material
- Standard books
- Never relied only on notes
Why Books Matter in Geography Optional
Books helped him:
- Understand concepts deeply
- Learn proper academic language
- Add unique perspectives in answers
PYQs = Real Syllabus
He treated previous year questions (PYQs) as the backbone:
- Identified patterns
- Predicted themes
- Designed notes accordingly
Answer Writing Edge
- Used maps, diagrams, and flowcharts
- Added geographical representation wherever possible
- Focused on demand of the question, not just content dumping
👉 His key takeaway:
Geography optional is not about memorization, it’s about interpretation and presentation.
3. How He Scored 215 in UPSC Interview
Getting a call for the interview is one thing—scoring 215 is another level.
His Approach
- Didn’t try to “build personality” in a few weeks
- Focused on being natural and honest
3 Golden Rules
- Never lie in the interview
- Always maintain a calm smile
- Be confident that you deserve to be there
What Actually Helped
- Diverse background (sports, research, hobbies)
- Strong communication skills developed over years
- Real-life experiences, not scripted answers
4. Social Media & Hobbies: Distraction or Tool?
Unlike typical advice, he didn’t quit social media.
Instead:
- Followed useful pages (PIB, UN, etc.)
- Used it for current affairs
- Stayed connected with friends for motivation
His perspective:
- If it drains you → leave it
- If it helps you → use it smartly
Same goes for hobbies:
- Cricket, football, music, anything is fine
- As long as it energizes you
5. Study Planning: Hours Over Days
One of his smartest moves was planning in hours, not days.
Example:
- Human Geography → 15 hours
- Physical Geography → 25 hours
Why this works:
- More realistic tracking
- Better micro-planning
- Flexible scheduling
He also did:
- Multiple revisions (4 iterations before prelims)
- Topic-wise breakdown
- Strength vs weakness analysis
6. GS Strategy: Focus on Weak Areas
Most aspirants over-focus on strengths. He did the opposite.
His approach:
- Identified weak subjects through mock tests
- Worked more on GS2 and GS3
- Used:
- Data
- Graphs
- Maps
Especially in GS3:
- Linked answers with current affairs
- Added diagrams for better presentation
7. The Power of Analysis & Prediction
He didn’t just study—he analyzed UPSC like a game.
What he did differently:
- Studied PYQ trends deeply
- Predicted probable topics
- Focused on:
- anniversaries (10 years, 15 years schemes)
- recurring themes
Example:
- Prepared semiconductor mission → question came
- Prepared personality-based history → matched exam trend
8. Notes-Making Strategy (Game Changer)
Instead of random notes, he used structured dimensions:
For example:
- Art & Culture → theme + kingdom-wise
- Modern History → phases (pre-1857, post-1857)
Then:
- Compared with model answers
- Added missing dimensions
- Updated continuously
9. Use of AI, YouTube & Online Resources
He fully embraced modern tools.
Used for:
- Generating practice questions
- Understanding concepts
- Adding value to notes
His mindset:
Technology is a tool. Use it, don’t let it control you.
10. Biggest Lesson: Don’t Lose Yourself
One of the most powerful insights from his journey:
- Avoid blindly following others
- Don’t get trapped in the UPSC crowd mindset
- Maintain your originality
He even chose to stay away from ORN (Delhi hub) to protect his focus and individuality.
Final Takeaway
Ishitwa’s success shows that clearing UPSC isn’t about extreme sacrifice or isolation.
It’s about:
- Smart planning
- Consistent hard work
- Strong personality
- Strategic use of resources
And most importantly—
enjoying the process instead of suffering through it.
