Dr. Prashanth AIR 78 On Clearing UPSC CSE 2023 In His First Attempt After MBBS

Summary

In this inspiring interview, Dr. Prashant, an MBBS graduate with an impressive record of 40 gold medals, shares his remarkable journey of securing rank 78 in the UPSC exams within just 8.5 months of preparation. He discusses his deep interest in medicine, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities, revealing the motivation behind his switch to civil services for a larger impact. The conversation delves into his preparation strategy, the role of support systems, and his vision for improving the medical system, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and smart work in achieving success.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Prashant excelled in his MBBS, earning 40 gold medals and achieving 18 out of 19 gold medals in his final year, demonstrating exceptional academic performance.
• 🏆 Beyond academics, Dr. Prashant was actively involved in extracurricular activities, holding national president positions in multiple medical organizations and authoring parts of a medical textbook.
• 🔝 He secured rank 78 in the UPSC exam within just 8.5 months of preparation after completing his MBBS, showcasing his ability to excel under tight deadlines.
• 💡 Dr. Prashant's success was driven by a deep interest and passion for his subjects, as well as a strong belief in the power of smart work and effective time management.
• 🤔 He chose to take the UPSC exam to have a broader impact on the medical field through policy-making, rather than limiting his influence to individual patients.
• 🌟 Dr. Prashant's family, particularly his mother, was very supportive of his decisions, providing a strong foundation for his pursuits.
• 📚 His preparation for UPSC involved intense study schedules, sometimes reaching up to 10 hours a day, with a focus on solving and understanding a large number of MCQs and answers.
• 🤝 He emphasizes the importance of a strong support system, including friends, family, and mentors, in overcoming the challenges and doubts that arise during rigorous preparation.
• 🎯 Dr. Prashant believes in the Law of Attraction and setting clear goals, trusting that hard work combined with passion will attract success.
• 🛡 As a future bureaucrat, he aims to address issues within the medical system, such as the introduction of the Indian Medical Services, organ transplant policies, and the establishment of a rare blood donor registry.
• 💪 He encourages UPSC aspirants and others to follow their dreams and not be swayed by societal pressures or expectations, focusing instead on their strengths and goals.

Q & A

How did Dr. Prashant manage to excel in one of the world's toughest exams within just 8.5 months?

Dr. Prashant attributes his success to a combination of diligence, hard work, smart work, and deep interest in the subjects. He also mentions that having a strong foundation in his MBBS studies helped him in his preparation for the UPSC exam.

What was Dr. Prashant's initial reaction upon knowing his UPSC rank?

Dr. Prashant was ecstatic upon discovering his rank of 78 in the UPSC exam. He was initially in disbelief and checked both his name and roll number to confirm the result, leading to a moment of joy and celebration.

What was the significance of the number 78 in Dr. Prashant's life?

The number 78 was significant because Dr. Prashant had guessed this number as his possible rank in a conversation with a friend the day before the results were announced, which turned out to be accurate.

How did Dr. Prashant's family, particularly his mother, react to his achievement?

Dr. Prashant's mother was initially speechless but then showered him with blessings. When he returned home, she was emotionally moved, with tears in her eyes, expressing her pride and happiness.

What extracurricular activities was Dr. Prashant involved in during his MBBS?

Apart from academics, Dr. Prashant was involved in various leadership roles, including being the national president of the Indian Medical Association and the UNESCO Biotics Council. He also enjoyed swimming, chess, and pursuing cultural activities.

What motivated Dr. Prashant to shift from MBBS to UPSC?

Dr. Prashant was motivated by the desire to create a larger impact. He believed that as a bureaucrat, he could influence policies that would affect millions, as opposed to the more limited impact as a medical practitioner.

How did Dr. Prashant manage to balance his MBBS studies with his preparation for UPSC?

Dr. Prashant focused on excelling in his MBBS during his medical education and started preparing for UPSC after completing his MBBS. He believes in not compromising on any aspect and managing time effectively.

What was Dr. Prashant's approach to handling the different subjects required for UPSC?

Dr. Prashant had a deep interest in most subjects except geography. He relied on his existing knowledge and the ability to quickly grasp new information. He also used the strategy of smart work and focused on understanding the nuances of the subjects.

Did Dr. Prashant ever consider giving up during his UPSC preparation?

Like any other aspirant, Dr. Prashant had moments of doubt and considered giving up, especially after performing poorly in tests. However, the support of friends, family, and mentors helped him overcome these feelings.

What changes does Dr. Prashant envision for the medical system as a future bureaucrat?

Dr. Prashant wishes to work on several areas, including the introduction of Indian Medical Services, adopting an opt-out approach to organ transplantation, and establishing a rare blood donor registry. He also aims to address issues like violence against doctors and underpayment of PGs.

Why did Dr. Prashant choose Medical Science as his optional subject for UPSC?

Dr. Prashant chose Medical Science because of his strong foundation and confidence in the subject, despite it being considered challenging and voluminous. He believed that his knowledge from MBBS would give him an advantage.

What was Dr. Prashant's experience with ragging in medical college?

Dr. Prashant had a positive experience with ragging, describing it as a form of healthy interaction and bonding among seniors and juniors, as long as it did not involve physical abuse.

How does Dr. Prashant define his study habits?

Dr. Prashant emphasizes smart work over long hours of study. He believes in decoding the nuances of the subjects and finding shortcuts, focusing on understanding rather than rote learning.

What message does Dr. Prashant have for those who are stuck in societal expectations and want to chase their dreams?

Dr. Prashant advises not to care about societal expectations and to focus on one's own path. He encourages people to have faith in themselves, work smart and hard, and trust in destiny.