Clearing the Assam Public Service Commission examination is a dream for thousands. But securing APS Rank 1 requires something deeper — clarity, discipline, sacrifice, and relentless self-analysis.
In this exclusive SPM interview, Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi (APS Rank 1) shares his full preparation journey with Chinmoy Sir, revealing strategies that helped him turn failures into success.
Early Life and Academic Background
Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi was born in the Lakhimpur district of Assam. In 2003, he shifted to Jorhat, where he completed most of his schooling.
- Schooling: Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (2016 batch)
- Higher Secondary: Pragya Academy (2018 pass out)
- B.Tech in Computer Engineering: Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar (2022 pass out)
After graduation, he worked as an Associate IT Consultant at ITC Infotech.
But alongside his job, he nurtured a bigger dream — clearing APSC and serving in the Assam Police Service (APS).
He joined SPM IAS Academy in July 2023 (Foundation Batch), a decision that became a turning point in his journey.
The Turning Point: Working Professional Foundation Batch
In July 2023, while continuing his job (WFH mode), he joined the Working Professional Foundation Batch at SPM IAS Academy.
This was not just enrollment in a course. It was the beginning of structured transformation.
He deliberately opted for online coaching, understanding that saving travel time would help him manage work and preparation effectively. Recorded classes allowed him to revisit complex topics multiple times, strengthening conceptual clarity.
Instead of seeing online mode as a compromise, he turned it into an advantage.
As Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said:
“Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.”
The Foundation Batch gave him continuity.
Two Unsuccessful Attempts, One Powerful Comeback
Bhaskar’s journey was never about instant success. It was about learning, correcting, and rising stronger.
2023 Attempt
He honestly admits that he was not fully prepared—there was no structured plan, no proper guidance, and no in-depth study. An unsuccessful attempt was expected.
2024 Attempt
This time, he had mentorship, but he made a few strategic mistakes:
- Followed too many sources
- Did very little revision
- Barely practiced MCQs
- Practiced without seriousness
Result: Another unsuccessful attempt.
But instead of losing motivation, Bhaskar chose self-reflection.
He identified three key gaps:
- Multiple sources
- Lack of revision
- Poor MCQ practice
And he made a clear promise to himself:
“I will not repeat these mistakes.”
The 2025 Winning Strategy
His strategy for the successful attempt was crystal clear:
1. Limited Sources
- Maximum one book per subject
- Coaching materials as a supplement
- No unnecessary reference books
2. Multiple Revisions
Revision was no longer optional — it was central.
3. Extensive MCQ + PYQ Practice
He practiced numerous MCQs and Previous Year Questions.
He attempted every SPM Test Series under real exam conditions and even used OMR sheets to simulate the actual conditions.
His test accuracy: 70–80%
He attempted 85–90 questions in Prelims based on accuracy analysis.
For GS Paper 1, he targeted 120 marks and calculated around 96–97 — confidently above the cut-off.
Mains Strategy: The Real Game Changer
From the 2024 Prelims to the 2025 Mains, he practiced consistently with the daily questions given by Satyajit Sir. He never missed submitting his answers and regularly received feedback, which helped him improve.
When the Mains approached, he focused on writing as much as possible. He also applied a strategy shared by a UPSC topper—though he forgot the name. The topper used to switch off the fan and practice writing despite the discomfort, training the mind to perform even in difficult conditions.
He followed the same method. He would switch off the fan, set a timer, and write continuously. This helped him build discipline, endurance, and exam-like resilience. He never missed submissions and implemented feedback strictly.
His Main Motto:
“I will not leave even one question unattempted.”
He filled every page. No gaps. No blank spaces.
Unique Answer Writing Technique
Bhaskar adopted a strategy inspired by a UPSC topper.
The topper would switch off the fan and write in discomfort to simulate extreme exam conditions.
Bhaskar followed the same approach — timer on, fan off, no excuses.
Result? Time per answer improved from 20 minutes to 6–7 minutes.
Structure of His Answers:
- Introduction: Crisp definition
- Body: Point-wise explanation
- One example per point
- Current relevance wherever possible
- Conclusion: Positive note (SDGs, Fundamental Rights, Duties)
He studied multiple UPSC topper copies to learn:
- Space management
- Flowcharts
- Case studies
- Diagram usage
- Paper completion
His Advice to Aspirants Preparing Through Self-Study
He believes that in Prelims, it is not necessary to attempt all 100 questions. The key is conceptual clarity. If the concepts are strong, even out-of-the-box questions can be attempted confidently.
He extensively used the SPM test series portal, especially the accuracy analysis feature. His accuracy consistently ranged between 70–80%, and based on that, he attempted around 85–90 questions in the exam.
He strongly advises aspirants to trust their mentors. He rigorously followed Satyajit Sir’s 800–1000 topic list, covering 100–150 topics daily, completing the entire cycle in about 10 days.
This time, he targeted 120 marks in GS Paper 1. With an estimated accuracy, he calculated his score to be around 96–97 marks, which he believes is comfortably qualifying. He strongly emphasises building basics through NCERTs and strengthening them with standard books like:
- Indian Polity
- A Brief History of Modern India
He emphasized the importance of building a strong foundation with NCERTs, calling them the basic building blocks of preparation. After that, he suggested using standard reference books available online, such as Laxmikanth and Spectrum, to deepen understanding.
He believes that if the fundamentals are clear, revision becomes much easier and less hectic because concepts are already well understood.
He also stressed that coaching is not mandatory to succeed. With strong self-belief and disciplined preparation, one can clear the exam independently. He cited several examples from the current year to prove that self-preparation can work.
3 Key Things Working Professionals Must Focus on While Preparing for APSC/UPSC
According to APSC Rank 1 Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi
- Time Management: He emphasizes smart utilization of all 24 hours. Working professionals must make their limited study hours highly productive and focused.
- Discipline: He believes discipline is the backbone of preparation. A disciplined routine automatically leads to consistency and better time management.
- Sacrifice: He highlights that aspirants must be ready to sacrifice social events and personal comfort. Missing celebrations and gatherings is part of the journey, and staying focused on the goal is crucial.
Advice for Aspirants Who Could Not Clear Prelims
APS Rank 1 Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi says –
- Accept Failure as Part of the Process: He believes that unsuccessful attempts are not the end, but a learning curve. Failure helps in self-introspection and identifying mistakes that must be corrected in the next attempt.
- Strengthen Your Mental तैयारी: Mental preparation is as important as academic preparation. Staying calm, resilient, and focused after setbacks is crucial for long-term success.
- Believe in Yourself and Trust the Process: He advises aspirants to trust their mentors, follow the strategy consistently, and keep working hard. According to him, hard work eventually beats talent when talent does not work hard.
Gratitude to SPM IAS Academy
Bhaskar openly acknowledges the role of SPM IAS Academy in his success. From the July 2023 Foundation Batch to Prelims accuracy tracking, daily answer evaluations, and mentorship support — he believes the academy provided clarity, direction, and accountability. He expressed his profound gratitude to Chinmoy Sir, Satyajir Sir, and Mridul Sir for the guidance
Source –
Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi secured Rank 1 in the Assam Police Service (APS) in the APSC Combined Competitive Examination. He took coaching in the Working Professional Foundation Batch at SPM IAS Academy
Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi took his APSC CCE coaching from SPM IAS Academy. Although many coaching institutes claimed him, he was a student of the Working Professionals Foundation Batch at SPM IAS Academy. During his preparation, he received academic guidance and mentorship from Satyajit Sir, Mridul Sir, and Chinmoy Sir, and he expressed deep gratitude for their teaching methodology, conceptual clarity, and constant motivation throughout his journey to securing APS Rank 1.
Bhaskar Jyoti Medhi was a student of the Working Professionals Foundation Batch of SPM IAS Academy. He enrolled in the foundation program designed specifically for working aspirants, which provided structured classes, mentorship, and an integrated test series to balance job and preparation effectively.
