Pune: ILS Law College Alumnus Ayush Kokate Secures AIR 513 in UPSC 2024

By Amit Singh
Pune, 24th April 2025: Ayush Rahul Kokate, an alumnus of ILS Law College, Pune, has secured All India Rank 513 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, after three rigorous attempts. Originally from Nanded and brought up in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Ayush completed his primary education at Kendriya Vidyalaya in the same city before moving to Pune for his graduation in law.

Speaking to Punekar News, Ayush reflected on his academic journey and what drew him towards civil services. “During my college days, I saw some videos of civil servants like Armstrong Pame sir, Harshdeep Kamble sir. Their work and contribution to society motivated me to work in a field in which I could directly bring positive change in the lives of people,” he said.

His time at ILS Law College, Pune, proved instrumental. “Because of my background in law, reading the Constitution became easy. Activities like the ILS Legal Aid Cell helped me understand the problems in our society, such as dowry deaths, poverty, and legal illiteracy. Other activities like Moot Court gave me confidence in public speaking and reduced stage fear,” Ayush shared.

Ayush’s path to success was marked by setbacks and perseverance. In his first attempt in 2022, while still pursuing his BA LLB degree, he cleared the Prelims but missed clearing the Mains by 13 marks. His second attempt in 2023 ended at the Prelims stage due to errors in the CSAT paper. “I succumbed to pressure and marked wrong answers,” he said.

The turning point came after he attended a Vipassana meditation course. “I learnt how to meditate to keep one’s mind calm in high-pressure situations, and this helped me clear Prelims in my third attempt.”

From his first Mains experience, he understood the importance of adding value to answers. “In my 1st Mains, I wrote plain, simple answers. But in this attempt, I added value—maps, data, and statistics—which gives authority to our answer.”

Daily discipline and self-awareness shaped his third and final attempt. “I meditated daily before starting my study session. I focused on PYQs for both Prelims and Mains and used topper’s notes like Utkarsh Dwivedi sir’s PSIR optional as study material. I got my answers regularly evaluated.”

Ayush chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as his optional subject after discussing with seniors and realizing its overlap with the General Studies syllabus. “The abundance of resources and a smaller syllabus compared to Law optional made me select PSIR.”

Describing his daily routine, he shared: “I used to wake up around 4–5 am and study for 3 hours. I broke the day into focused sessions, used YouTube videos for tough topics, and ensured consistency.”

The YPT app was a crucial tool in his preparation. “This app helped me quantify my efforts. It locks the mobile during study sessions, and the study group feature created a community of like-minded aspirants.”

He emphasized the importance of free online platforms. “YouTube became a vital tool for reviewing lectures and staying updated with current affairs. The ease of access played a significant role in my preparation.”

For answer writing, Ayush practiced PYQs extensively and maintained concise notes. He wrote daily and got his work evaluated by mentors. “I practiced mock tests within time limits to simulate real exam conditions.”

His 2023 CSAT setback prompted a revised strategy. “I focused on mastering key topics like the number system and permutation. I attempted only those questions in the exam I was confident about and made detailed notes for revision.”

Pune’s academic atmosphere contributed positively to his preparation. “The calm and conducive environment of Pune helped me focus and immerse myself in my studies.” He prepared from home and did not rely on study groups but acknowledged the guidance of IPS Swapnil Mane, who mentored him during Mains and Interview stages.

Balancing college and preparation was a challenge. “In my 4th year, I gave my first attempt. Managing college studies, attendance, and UPSC prep was tough. My friends helped me with studies and managing stress, and teachers gave me extra time for assignments knowing my UPSC background.”

Mental endurance was equally vital in Ayush’s journey. “Patience was my biggest challenge. My batchmates were getting placed while I was still preparing. My father always told me—if you keep working hard, you will also achieve the same. That kept me going.”

He dealt with pressure by opening up to his parents. “Meditation helped me stay aware of my thoughts. My parents encouraged me to focus on effort, not results.”

For stress management, Ayush played badminton regularly and enjoyed watching light-hearted web series like Friends.

To Pune-based aspirants, Ayush offered pragmatic advice. “Have a backup plan, whether it’s a professional course or other exams. Know yourself—whether you study better at home or need coaching. Pursue hobbies that help reduce stress. Stay connected with your friends and family.”

To students in smaller towns, he emphasized digital access. “The internet has democratised education. Anyone with a mobile can use free resources like YouTube, PDFs, and topper’s notes to prepare effectively.”

He ended with a message for youth feeling directionless: “Find your passion and pursue excellence. Whether it’s dance or any other field, strive to make your parents proud. Stay away from distractions and focus on what makes you feel fulfilled.”

Ayush Kokate’s story stands as a testament to resilience, strategic preparation, and inner strength in one of India’s toughest competitive exams.