About Tusharanshu Sharma
I was born and brought up in a village but had the privilege of studying at premier institutions such as St. John’s, Chandigarh and IIFT, New Delhi, which gave me exposure to both grassroots realities and elite academic environments. I have always been actively involved in curricular and extracurricular pursuits—ranging from playing in music bands and organizing an art exhibition to exploring diverse academic disciplines.
Academically, I pursued B.Com (Honours) in Economics from SD College, Chandigarh, followed by an MBA in International Business (Finance) from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi. I was also selected for a student exchange programme at Hanken School of Economics, Helsinki, where I studied for a trimester. My grades have been consistently decent.
I worked in an FMCG marketing company, but later decided to quit a high-paying corporate role to prepare for competitive examinations. I may have explored multiple paths initially, but that phase helped me gain clarity and maturity in decision-making.
Entry into Competitive Exams
I entered the field of competitive examinations in 2008, starting with CAT preparation. I appeared for UPSC once in 2012 while studying at IIFT, without serious preparation. My dedicated UPSC journey began in September 2013, when I committed to a full-fledged attempt.
Prelims (CSAT & GS) – Key Takeaways
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CSAT Strategy: Minimal preparation for Mathematics; relied on basic formula revision. Comprehension and reasoning were handled through practice.
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Important Advice: Even though CSAT is qualifying, it must be taken seriously.
Prelims 2014 Scores
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GS Paper I: 106
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CSAT Paper II: 132.5
Sociology Optional – Why I Chose It
I narrowed my optional choices to Economics, Management, and Sociology, finally choosing Sociology for strategic and academic reasons. Sociology ensured that questions never felt alien or overly technical, unlike some other optionals.
I was introduced to Sociology during my time at IIFT, where I had already engaged with thinkers like Marx and Raymond Aron. Over time, I genuinely grew to enjoy the subject. If I had to choose a second optional, it would have been Management.
I believe no optional has an inherent advantage or disadvantage—success depends on how well one understands and does justice to the subject.
Sociology Preparation Strategy (Condensed)
Paper I – Theory & Thinkers
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NCERTs (Class 11 & 12) for fundamentals
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IGNOU BA & MA Sociology material for depth
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Haralambos & Holborn and T.B. Bottomore as core references
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Supplemented with Ritzer, Giddens, original works of Marx, and class notes
Paper II – Indian Society
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Integrated Paper I thinkers with Indian social realities
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Used newspapers and EPW extensively to contemporize answers
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Referred to standard notes and previous toppers’ compilations
Core Principle:
Do not rely on books alone. Answers must be contemporary, analytical, and grounded in sociological perspectives on current affairs.
Notes, Revision & Answer Writing
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Took about 4 months to complete the core Sociology syllabus (one cycle)
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Maintained self-made revision notes, repeatedly condensed
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One day before the exam, final revision material was reduced to ~30 pages
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Although answer writing practice was limited due to time constraints, I strongly recommend it for future aspirants
Advice to Future Sociology Aspirants
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Be original, but stay rooted in sociological research
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Use current examples and apply thinkers meaningfully
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Integrate Paper I concepts into Paper II answers
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Narrow down notes continuously and revise multiple times
Sociology rewards clarity of thought, balance, and application more than rote learning.
