Daijiworld Media Network – Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu, Jun 30: Success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is often shaped not by a flawless journey but by resilience in the face of setbacks. Dr A R Rajah Mohaideen's story is a powerful example of perseverance, strategic preparation, and unwavering determination.
An MBBS graduate from Muthiah Medical College in Tamil Nadu, Rajah Mohaideen secured an outstanding All India Rank (AIR) 7 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 in his third attempt. His achievement is particularly inspiring because he had failed to clear the preliminary examination in both his first and second attempts in 2023 and 2024.
Instead of giving up, he carefully analysed his mistakes and completely revamped his preparation strategy.
After moving to Delhi in 2023, Rajah Mohaideen joined an academy to prepare full-time for the examination. Choosing Medical Science as his optional subject, he focused on mastering the basics rather than collecting multiple study materials.
One of the biggest changes in his preparation was limiting himself to a single standard source for each subject and revising it repeatedly. He believes that solving UPSC Previous Year Questions (PYQs) extensively was the turning point that helped him finally clear the Prelims after two unsuccessful attempts.
To maintain consistency and discipline, he enrolled in structured preparation programmes, where daily and weekly tests helped strengthen his conceptual understanding and static knowledge.
For the Mains examination, Rajah Mohaideen shifted his emphasis from making bulky notes to improving answer-writing skills. He relied heavily on model answers, previous year questions and test modules while developing effective answer formats and templates.
He also regularly attempted full-length mock tests. Along with a close friend—who also secured a UPSC rank—he formed a study group and followed a self-designed timeline to ensure they became ‘Mains-ready’ well before the examination.
His medical background played a significant role during the Personality Test (Interview). He prepared extensively on healthcare-related issues, including the ‘One Health’ approach, which highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, India's generic medicine sector, and challenges in rural healthcare delivery.
Beyond books and test series, Rajah Mohaideen credits his success to a strong support system. Throughout his demanding preparation journey, he stayed closely connected with his family, doctor friends and fellow aspirants, believing that emotional well-being is just as important as academic preparation.
His remarkable rise from two consecutive Prelims failures to securing AIR 7 demonstrates that UPSC success is not reserved for those who never fail, but for those who learn from failure, stay disciplined and keep moving forward.
For every aspirant facing setbacks, Dr A R Rajah Mohaideen's journey stands as a reminder that persistence, smart preparation, and faith in one's abilities can transform disappointment into extraordinary success.