From Agra to ASO, Himanshu Goyal’s SSC CGL Journey (AIR 185)

Mahima Khurana

3 days ago

“Life doesn’t give you what you want; you get what you deserve.”

Hello everyone! Getting a job through SSC is tough, with millions applying each year. Even with easier exams now, small mistakes can cost you dearly. Today, we learn from someone who navigated these challenges successfully: Himanshu Goyal, who secured All India Rank 185 and is now an Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in the Central Secretariat Service (CSS).

Let’s hear his story and strategy.

Meet Himanshu Goyal

Today, we dive into the inspiring story of Himanshu Goyal, who climbed from Agra to securing All India Rank 185 in SSC CGL Exam and is now an Assistant Section Officer.

Name: Himanshu Goyal
From: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Current Job: ASO in the Ministry of Home Affairs (Joined Jan 29th)
Background: Comes from a middle-class family.

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Life After Getting the Job

Himanshu shares how financial independence and personal growth changed his life after joining the government service.

Financial Independence: This is the biggest change. Not having to ask parents for money after age 20 is a relief. He can now support his family too.
Making Own Decisions: Financial independence allows for making personal choices, like buying gadgets (he bought a tablet) without asking.
Self-Satisfaction: The happiness from achieving the goal and being able to gift things (like a phone to his father) is immense.
Simplicity: Despite the achievement, Himanshu remains humble and grounded.

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College Days and Government Job Dream

Discover how Himanshu balanced college life and coaching while keeping his dream of a government job alive.

College: SS Jain Subodh PG College, Rajasthan.
Initial Plan: Went to Jaipur for SSC coaching but couldn’t continue due to regular college.
Focus: Concentrated on college without much stress.
Childhood Dream: Wanted to be an Income Tax Inspector.
Reality: Got ASO instead. He accepts it, noting, “Life gives you what you deserve.” He was also a bit wary of potentially getting posted in South India as an Income Tax Inspector.
Current Posting: Delhi (Ministry of Home Affairs).

Cracking CGL: The Attempts

Himanshu’s experience with his two attempts highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting strategies.

Attempt	Exam Year	Outcome	Score vs. Cutoff	Mistake / Learning	Final Result
1st Attempt	CGL 2022	Failed in Computer Paper	Scored 394 vs. 391 cutoff	Took Computer paper lightly; attempted only 6 questions assuming 18 marks was enough	Not Selected
2nd Attempt	CGL 2023	Success	Qualified with high rank	Focused on all sections, including Computer; corrected previous mistakes	Selected as ASO (AIR 185)

Strategy: Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 (New Pattern)

Understand how the SSC CGL Exam Pattern evolved and why Himanshu stresses preparing all subjects thoroughly.

Old Pattern: Before CGL 2022, Tier 2 focused mainly on Maths and English.
New Pattern: Now, all four subjects (Maths, Reasoning, English, GS) are equally important in both Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Comprehensive Focus: You cannot afford to take any subject lightly, including qualifying ones like Computer.
GS Importance: GS now plays a major role (75 marks in Tier 2).
Key Takeaway: Prepare for all subjects thoroughly from the beginning for both tiers.

Strategy for Improvement & Mock Analysis

Himanshu emphasizes self-analysis and writing:

Strategy	Action Steps	Purpose / Outcome
Write Down Mistakes	Maintain a notebook to record errors after every mock (e.g., wrong answers, silly mistakes, skipped questions).	Clarifies recurring issues and often reveals solutions while writing them down.
Analyze Mocks Together	Review 2–3 mock tests in one session to identify patterns (e.g., consistent errors in certain topics or question types).	Helps spot common weaknesses (e.g., calculation errors, specific GS topics).
Deep Dive into Errors – GS	When you get a GS question wrong, revisit the topic thoroughly and study surrounding concepts (static and current affairs, if relevant).	Strengthens core understanding and reduces repeat errors in GS.
Deep Dive into Errors – Vocab	If you miss a vocabulary question, look up: meaning of the correct word, meanings of all options, precise definition, and usage in sentences.	Enhances understanding of nuanced meanings, especially for PYQs in English.
Comprehensive Strategy	Cover all subjects (Maths, Reasoning, English, GS, Computer), revise wea

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Biggest Challenges & Overcoming Them

Though his environment was supportive, Himanshu reflects on common challenges aspirants face and how focus helped him overcome distractions.

Himanshu feels he didn’t face major external challenges because he prepared from home.
Supportive Environment: His family (parents, sister) provided a positive and supportive atmosphere.
Online Resources: Used online courses for preparation, making location less of a barrier.
Implied Challenge (for others): He contrasts his situation with students living in cities who might face distractions from friends or lack a quiet study environment. His solution was the focused environment at home.
Financial Aspect: Belonging to a middle-class family is common for SSC aspirants, and achieving financial independence is a major motivator and reward.

Time Management Tips

Time management depends on individual habits and environment:

Know Your Peak Time: Himanshu studies best during the day, not at night. Others might be the opposite. Study when you are most productive.
Control Your Environment: Minimize distractions. He stayed home and asked friends not to disturb him during study hours.
Prioritize Studies: Be willing to say ‘no’ to social events (friends’ outings, relatives’ weddings) if they clash with your study schedule.
Self-Discipline: You need to manage your own time; no one else can do it for you.
It’s Temporary: This intense focus is only needed during the preparation phase, not forever.

Final Advice

Himanshu leaves aspirants with powerful advice on mindset, exam strategy, and staying positive throughout the journey.

Avoid Negative People: Stay away from negativity.
Live the Exam Daily: Treat every study day as if it’s the exam day.
Goal: Aim for selection this year.
Identify Time Wasters: In the exam, only 4-5 questions might be truly confusing or time-consuming. Learn to identify and skip them quickly.
Mock Score Isn’t Everything: Don’t let mock scores define your potential. Focus on learning and improvement.

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