In India, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is both a dream and a crucible, testing millions each year for a few coveted posts. For Adesh Sharma, an IIT graduate who gave up a secure career to prepare, success came not through endless material but through clarity — and a subject he genuinely loved.
Choosing Sociology for More Than Marks
When Sharma decided to attempt the UPSC, he faced the same dilemma as thousands of aspirants: which optional subject to choose. While many candidates pick sociology for its scoring potential, Sharma’s decision was rooted in interest. He was drawn to its questions on caste, religion, kinship, and social change — ideas that reflected daily Indian life as much as academic theory.
That curiosity became his strength. In 2023, he placed in the reserve list with Rank 16, earning a place in the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
A Precision Strategy
Sharma treated sociology not as an ocean to swim through, but as a map to be read carefully. He analyzed a decade’s worth of past question papers, finding recurring patterns and themes. Rather than chasing every book available, he limited himself to a few key sources: concise coaching notes, Essential Sociology by Nitin Sangwan, and online lectures.
Every topic became a single-page note in his own handwriting — a system designed for speed, clarity, and quick revision. It was less about volume, more about precision.
Linking Concepts to the Present
Where many aspirants get lost in theory, Sharma worked to connect classroom sociology with current affairs. Each day, he logged five or six news clippings into a diary, later weaving them into answers as contemporary examples. A Supreme Court ruling on reservation, a report on urban migration, or a debate on family law — all became live material for illustrating textbook ideas.
This integration, he says, made his answers stand out: “It showed not just that I understood sociology, but that I could see it in action.”
Study, Rest, Repeat
His method was marked by consistency rather than bursts of cramming. Topics were revised every month or two, ensuring recall remained strong. And just as importantly, he allowed himself pauses — movies, walks, conversations — recognizing that a sustainable routine required balance.
For UPSC aspirants accustomed to equating exhaustion with hard work, Sharma’s journey is a reminder that efficiency often outweighs sheer hours.
A Blueprint for Others
Sharma’s story is not just about a single rank. It reflects a different way of approaching India’s most competitive exam: with curiosity, discipline, and restraint in equal measure. In an era when the coaching industry thrives on excess, his path suggests that less, done with care, may well be enough.
