If Your Goal Is Clear and You Stay Focused on the Syllabus, Success Follows: A.R. Rajah Mohaideen

Chennai’s A.R. Rajah Mohaideen has secured All India Rank 7 in this year’s Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). After completing his medical education, Mohaideen chose the path of civil services and achieved this milestone through four years of dedicated preparation, clarity of purpose, and consistent hard work. Here are the key excerpts from the conversation with A.R. Rajah Mohaideen, conducted by Raees Ahmad 'Lali' for EdInbox.

What was your first reaction after the results were announced?

A.R. Rajah Mohaideen: Honestly, I was completely shocked. I expected that I might make it to the list, but I never imagined getting a Top 10 rank, that too a single-digit rank. I was very happy, but it took some time for the result to truly sink in.

When did you start preparing for UPSC and how many years did it take?

Rajah Mohaideen: I started my preparation in 2022. It has been four years now. The journey was long, but I kept working consistently.

How much did Jamia’s coaching contribute to your success?

Rajah Mohaideen: I prepared in Chennai for the first year but could not clear the prelims in 2023. After that, I appeared for the entrance exam of the Residential Coaching Academy at Jamia Millia Islamia and got selected. After moving to Delhi, I found an excellent study environment. Professor Sameena Bano ma’am and other faculty members guided me a lot. The library facilities, newspapers, and support from seniors were extremely helpful. Seniors played a key role in identifying my mistakes and helping me improve.

What went wrong in your first attempt?

Rajah Mohaideen: I could not clear the prelims in my first attempt because I had not practiced enough mock tests. However, I was preparing for the Mains alongside. That continuous preparation helped me score well in the Mains this year.

What were your subjects?

Rajah Mohaideen: General Studies is common for everyone. My optional subject was Anthropology.

You are an MBBS doctor. Why did you decide to enter civil services?

Rajah Mohaideen: I completed my MBBS from Government Cuddalore Medical College. I began my medical journey in 2016 and graduated in 2022. Initially, I had no plans to appear for civil services. But during my internship, the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with my training period. I saw how civil servants in my town were working tirelessly for the people. That inspired me. I felt that as a civil servant, I could serve a much larger section of society. That thought motivated me to pursue UPSC after graduation.

What do your parents do?

Rajah Mohaideen: My parents have been teachers and are currently working as principals in government colleges in Tamil Nadu.

What advice would you give to UPSC aspirants?

Rajah Mohaideen: The most important thing is to keep your goal clear. You must always remember why you chose this exam. The journey can be long—mine took four years. Mental resilience and mental health are very important throughout the preparation.

The second key thing is to stay focused on the syllabus. Preparation should never be scattered.

How many hours should one study daily?

Rajah Mohaideen: In my opinion, the number of hours does not matter much. What matters is completing your targets. Set monthly and weekly targets and make sure you achieve them. Some days I studied for five hours, some days for ten hours, but I always completed my targets.

What was your core mantra for success?

Rajah Mohaideen: Clarity of goal, consistent preparation, strong command over the syllabus, and mental balance—these were the keys to my success.