The UPSC CSE 2017 was one of the most competitive editions of the Civil Services Exam with over 9.5 lakh applications. The year saw analytical and dynamic questions in both Prelims and Mains, making strategic preparation more crucial than ever.
Important Dates – UPSC 2017
- Notification Release: February 22, 2017
- Last Date to Apply: March 17, 2017
- Prelims Exam: June 18, 2017
- Mains Exam: October 28 – November 3, 2017
- Interview Dates: February – April 2018
- Final Result: April 27, 2018
Preliminary Exam Pattern:
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Studies | 200 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | CSAT (Qualifying) | 200 | 2 Hours |
Main Examination Pattern:
- Essay – 250 marks
- General Studies I-IV – 250 marks each
- Optional Subject I & II – 250 marks each
- Qualifying Language Papers – English & Indian Language
- Total (Mains): 1750 marks + Interview: 275 marks
Topper of UPSC 2017
- Name: Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1)
- Optional Subject: Anthropology
- Background: IRS Officer, Graduate from BITS Pilani
Topper Strategy – Anudeep Durishetty
- Focused answer writing practice every day
- Used self-notes for quick revision
- Practiced mock tests for both Prelims & Mains
- Followed limited sources with multiple revisions
- Used online platforms and forums for guidance
Popular Optional Subjects in 2017:
- Anthropology
- Geography
- PSIR (Political Science & IR)
- Sociology
- History
- Philosophy
- Law
Observations from CSE 2017
- Prelims GS was tough and highly analytical
- Cutoff dropped significantly to 105.34 (General)
- Essay and Ethics papers were game-changers
- Dynamic current affairs-based questions dominated
Resources Used by Aspirants
- The Hindu / Indian Express for current affairs
- Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (History)
- NCERT Books (Class 6–12)
- Economic Survey, Budget, NITI Aayog reports
- Vision IAS, ForumIAS, Insights test series
Download UPSC 2017 Question Papers
📥Download Prelims 2017 GS & CSAT Papers (PDF)
📥Download Mains 2017 Papers – GS, Essay, Optional (PDF)
Download UPSC android apps
Conclusion:
UPSC CSE 2017 was a landmark year due to the increased analytical nature of questions and reduced cutoff. Anudeep Durishetty's journey is a testimony to the power of perseverance, consistency, and smart preparation. Future aspirants should focus on basics, current affairs, writing practice, and most importantly — self-belief.
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