Yamunanagar | Rama Kaushik

IAS officer Ekansh Dhull, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 3 in the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, on Tuesday advised aspiring civil servants to focus on building strong conceptual clarity, disciplined preparation and continuous self-assessment rather than merely spending long hours studying.

Speaking during an interactive session organised at the residence of social worker Ashwani Singla in Yamunanagar, Dhull shared his journey and preparation strategy with UPSC aspirants, offering practical insights into one of India’s most competitive examinations.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from students seeking guidance on examination strategy, answer writing and effective study planning.

Addressing the gathering, the young IAS officer said success in the Civil Services Examination is not determined by the number of hours a candidate studies but by the quality of preparation and the depth of understanding of each subject.

“Every field has its own challenges, but one should choose a career that provides both purpose and satisfaction. Once the goal is clear, it must be pursued with complete dedication, discipline and perseverance,” Dhull said.

During the interaction, he elaborated on the importance of General Studies preparation, answer-writing skills, time management and developing a structured approach to the examination.

He encouraged aspirants to focus on conceptual learning instead of rote memorisation and stressed that a clear understanding of the syllabus is essential for success. Dhull advised students to honestly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses from the early stages of preparation.

Regular self-assessment, he said, helps candidates identify gaps in their knowledge, improve performance and refine their examination strategy over time.

“Every aspirant should prepare according to their individual strengths and shortcomings. Consistent improvement, patience and disciplined effort ultimately make the difference in a highly competitive examination like the UPSC,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Krishan Dhull, father of Ekansh Dhull, said his son has been visiting towns and rural areas where aspirants often lack access to quality guidance and educational resources.

Through these interactions, he hopes to inspire talented students from underserved regions and help them prepare for careers in the civil services.

He said many capable students from rural backgrounds possess the potential to succeed but often require proper mentoring, strategic guidance and motivation to compete at the national level.

Earlier, Ashwani Singla and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) District President Nishchal Chaudhary welcomed Ekansh Dhull and his father with bouquets.Ashwani Singla said India’s youth represent the country’s greatest strength and urged students to pursue their goals with clarity, commitment and hard work. “If young people remain focused, disciplined and determined, success will certainly follow,” he said.

Among those present were Aman Singla, Sulabh Bhatnagar, Dr Jitendra, Madhav, Kapil Gupta, Manu Sharma, Vaibhav Garg, CA D.P. Singh, Ashwani Gupta, Rajesh Kashyap, Sushil and Bholenath Tiwari, along with several other prominent citizens and UPSC aspirants.

The interactive session concluded with students engaging in a question-and-answer round, where Dhull responded to queries on preparation strategies, optional subjects, interview preparation and maintaining consistency during the long and demanding UPSC journey.

POD/DESK

 IAS officer and UPSC AIR-3 Ekansh Dhull interacts with civil services aspirants during a guidance session in Yamunanagar.