The Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 results reflect a trend that has been steadily gaining momentum: a significant proportion of successful candidates are not first-timers. In fact, 13 of the top 25 rank-holders in this year's final list had previously qualified the exam in one of the four preceding years. Their return signals a broader shift in the preparation landscape-one where strategic re-attempts are becoming not only common but highly successful.

Rohit Pande, Co-Founder & CEO of Civilsdaily, highlights a key shift in UPSC 2024: repeat candidates are not just returning, but thriving. Their success signals a new era where strategy, mentorship, and smart recalibration matter more than ever.

STRATEGIC REFINEMENT OVER REPETITION

Increasingly, candidates undertaking second or third attempts are doing so with clear intent: to secure a better service, land a home cadre, or transition into coveted roles such as the Indian Administrative or Foreign Services.

What these outcomes suggest is the growing importance of strategic refinement over brute-force repetition in preparation strategy. And for future aspirants-especially repeaters-personalised mentorship, real-time feedback, and targeted course correction may well be the most effective approach.

MENTOR-LED PREPARATION

One emerging model that addresses this need is mentorship-led preparation, where guidance comes from recent rank-holders or Mains-qualified candidates. These mentors bring a practical understanding of the exam's evolving demands and are able to offer insights that go beyond the generic advice common in traditional coaching. Rather than focusing solely on content, these mentorship frameworks help aspirants identify preparation gaps, track progress rigorously, and adjust strategies in real time.