Reimagining Competitive Exam Preparation: An AI Powered Study Tool for UPSC Aspirants
Reimagining Competitive Exam Preparation: An AI Powered Study Tool for UPSC Aspirants
Reimagining Competitive Exam Preparation: An AI Powered Study Tool for UPSC Aspirants
Last Updated on Feb 25, 2025
Last Updated on Feb 25, 2025
Last Updated on Feb 25, 2025
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Background
Background
Background
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India to get into India’s top administrative, diplomatic, and security roles, responsible for governance, policy making and public welfare. The exam consist of three stages:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims): Objective MCQs.
Main Examination (Mains): Descriptive written test.
Interview.
UPSC is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams due to its vast syllabus, rigorous selection process, and high competition. There were 1.34 Million applicants for UPSC 2024. From which only 1-2% applicants were qualified for the Mains and 0.2% for the Interview. Nevertheless, the number of applicants are projected to increase in the coming years.
This is were our product comes in. Doubtss.com is an AI powered study tool for UPSC CSE aspirants. The platform can summarise topics from various study resources and can generate real-time sample questions for each topic, saving users considerable preparation time.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India to get into India’s top administrative, diplomatic, and security roles, responsible for governance, policy making and public welfare. The exam consist of three stages:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims): Objective MCQs.
Main Examination (Mains): Descriptive written test.
Interview.
UPSC is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams due to its vast syllabus, rigorous selection process, and high competition. There were 1.34 Million applicants for UPSC 2024. From which only 1-2% applicants were qualified for the Mains and 0.2% for the Interview. Nevertheless, the number of applicants are projected to increase in the coming years.
This is were our product comes in. Doubtss.com is an AI powered study tool for UPSC CSE aspirants. The platform can summarise topics from various study resources and can generate real-time sample questions for each topic, saving users considerable preparation time.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Service Examination (CSE) is one of the most prestigious exams in India to get into India’s top administrative, diplomatic, and security roles, responsible for governance, policy making and public welfare. The exam consist of three stages:
Preliminary Examination (Prelims): Objective MCQs.
Main Examination (Mains): Descriptive written test.
Interview.
UPSC is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams due to its vast syllabus, rigorous selection process, and high competition. There were 1.34 Million applicants for UPSC 2024. From which only 1-2% applicants were qualified for the Mains and 0.2% for the Interview. Nevertheless, the number of applicants are projected to increase in the coming years.
This is were our product comes in. Doubtss.com is an AI powered study tool for UPSC CSE aspirants. The platform can summarise topics from various study resources and can generate real-time sample questions for each topic, saving users considerable preparation time.
Overview
Overview
Overview
In 2022, right after when OpenAI released ChatGPT research preview, I was approached by a UPSC aspirant turned early founder with a concept app. The idea was to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to create an AI-powered platform for UPSC aspirants. The tool would enable users to ask questions on any UPSC syllabus topic and instantly generate summarised content and sample questions, transforming how aspirants prepare for the exam.
In 2022, right after when OpenAI released ChatGPT research preview, I was approached by a UPSC aspirant turned early founder with a concept app. The idea was to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to create an AI-powered platform for UPSC aspirants. The tool would enable users to ask questions on any UPSC syllabus topic and instantly generate summarised content and sample questions, transforming how aspirants prepare for the exam.
In 2022, right after when OpenAI released ChatGPT research preview, I was approached by a UPSC aspirant turned early founder with a concept app. The idea was to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to create an AI-powered platform for UPSC aspirants. The tool would enable users to ask questions on any UPSC syllabus topic and instantly generate summarised content and sample questions, transforming how aspirants prepare for the exam.
Team
Team
Team
Product Manager x 1
Marketer x 1
Operations Lead x 1
Developer x 1
Designer x 1
Product Manager x 1
Marketer x 1
Operations Lead x 1
Developer x 1
Designer x 1
Product Manager x 1
Marketer x 1
Operations Lead x 1
Developer x 1
Designer x 1
Duration
Duration
Duration
3 Months (June - Aug 2023)
3 Months (June - Aug 2023)
3 Months (June - Aug 2023)
Skills
Skills
Skills
Product Design
Prototyping
Beta Testing
Product Design
Prototyping
Beta Testing
Product Design
Prototyping
Beta Testing
My Role
My Role
My Role
As a lead designer️, I led the full design cycle of the web app, for the experimental releases (alpha and closed beta). From ideating on requirements to design hand off.
As a lead designer️, I led the full design cycle of the web app, for the experimental releases (alpha and closed beta). From ideating on requirements to design hand off.
As a lead designer️, I led the full design cycle of the web app, for the experimental releases (alpha and closed beta). From ideating on requirements to design hand off.
Problem
Problem
Problem
Despite their best efforts, UPSC aspirants struggle to efficiently cover the vast syllabus within the limited time available for preparation. The abundance of fragmented resources and the lack of reliable tools make it challenging to achieve comprehensive coverage without compromising quality and depth.
Despite their best efforts, UPSC aspirants struggle to efficiently cover the vast syllabus within the limited time available for preparation. The abundance of fragmented resources and the lack of reliable tools make it challenging to achieve comprehensive coverage without compromising quality and depth.
Despite their best efforts, UPSC aspirants struggle to efficiently cover the vast syllabus within the limited time available for preparation. The abundance of fragmented resources and the lack of reliable tools make it challenging to achieve comprehensive coverage without compromising quality and depth.
Solution
Solution
Solution
An AI-powered web application that can provide quick summaries on any UPSC topic and can generate real-time practice questions for that topic allowing users to focus on learning and practising.
Generate easy summaries:
Get precise, summarised notes on any UPSC topic.
Generate sample questions:
Get unlimited UPSC Prelims and Mains sample questions on any topic in real time.
An AI-powered web application that can provide quick summaries on any UPSC topic and can generate real-time practice questions for that topic allowing users to focus on learning and practising.
Generate easy summaries:
Get precise, summarised notes on any UPSC topic.
Generate sample questions:
Get unlimited UPSC Prelims and Mains sample questions on any topic in real time.
An AI-powered web application that can provide quick summaries on any UPSC topic and can generate real-time practice questions for that topic allowing users to focus on learning and practising.
Generate easy summaries:
Get precise, summarised notes on any UPSC topic.
Generate sample questions:
Get unlimited UPSC Prelims and Mains sample questions on any topic in real time.
Design Process
Design Process
Design Process
Identifying and establishing business goals
Identifying and establishing business goals
Identifying and establishing business goals
Simplify UPSC preparation:
Leverage the current AI hype to address core challenges like fragmented resources and time constraints through an innovative AI-powered study tool, securing an early-to-market advantage.
Monetise the platform:
Generate revenue through a subscription-based model that offers premium features.
Expand into related markets:
Use the established model to branch out into preparation tools for other Indian and international competitive exams once the UPSC app gains traction.
Simplify UPSC preparation:
Leverage the current AI hype to address core challenges like fragmented resources and time constraints through an innovative AI-powered study tool, securing an early-to-market advantage.
Monetise the platform:
Generate revenue through a subscription-based model that offers premium features.
Expand into related markets:
Use the established model to branch out into preparation tools for other Indian and international competitive exams once the UPSC app gains traction.
Simplify UPSC preparation:
Leverage the current AI hype to address core challenges like fragmented resources and time constraints through an innovative AI-powered study tool, securing an early-to-market advantage.
Monetise the platform:
Generate revenue through a subscription-based model that offers premium features.
Expand into related markets:
Use the established model to branch out into preparation tools for other Indian and international competitive exams once the UPSC app gains traction.
Understanding key user pain points
Understanding key user pain points
Understanding key user pain points
Fragment resources:
Need to sift through multiple books, websites, or coaching materials, making studies less productive.
Vast syllabus and time constraints:
Constant pressure to cover large portions within a short period of time, given the vastness of the UPSC syllabus.
Authenticity of available resources:
Overwhelming need to verify the authenticity of study materials due to the prevalence of false information.
Fragment resources:
Need to sift through multiple books, websites, or coaching materials, making studies less productive.
Vast syllabus and time constraints:
Constant pressure to cover large portions within a short period of time, given the vastness of the UPSC syllabus.
Authenticity of available resources:
Overwhelming need to verify the authenticity of study materials due to the prevalence of false information.
Fragment resources:
Need to sift through multiple books, websites, or coaching materials, making studies less productive.
Vast syllabus and time constraints:
Constant pressure to cover large portions within a short period of time, given the vastness of the UPSC syllabus.
Authenticity of available resources:
Overwhelming need to verify the authenticity of study materials due to the prevalence of false information.
Problem statement
Problem statement
Problem statement
Suppose, Akash is a UPSC aspirant struggling to find reliable information (questions and answers) for any UPSC topic in one place. With limited time before the exam, he needs a tool that helps him efficiently cover a large portion of the syllabus, making his preparation faster and less overwhelming.
Suppose, Akash is a UPSC aspirant struggling to find reliable information (questions and answers) for any UPSC topic in one place. With limited time before the exam, he needs a tool that helps him efficiently cover a large portion of the syllabus, making his preparation faster and less overwhelming.
Suppose, Akash is a UPSC aspirant struggling to find reliable information (questions and answers) for any UPSC topic in one place. With limited time before the exam, he needs a tool that helps him efficiently cover a large portion of the syllabus, making his preparation faster and less overwhelming.
Prioritising product features for alpha and beta release
Prioritising product features for alpha and beta release
Prioritising product features for alpha and beta release
MoSCoW prioritisation method (closed beta release):
MoSCoW prioritisation method (closed beta release):
MoSCoW prioritisation method (closed beta release):
Must Have
Must Have
Must Have
Create account
Login and logout
Generate summery
Generate questions
Regenerate response
Continue generating response
Clear conversation
Collect response feedback
Create account
Login and logout
Generate summery
Generate questions
Regenerate response
Continue generating response
Clear conversation
Collect response feedback
Create account
Login and logout
Generate summery
Generate questions
Regenerate response
Continue generating response
Clear conversation
Collect response feedback
Should Have
Should Have
Should Have
Notification panel
Copy text button
Empty state screens
Setting page
Style guides
Subscription plan
Refer a friend
Notification panel
Copy text button
Empty state screens
Setting page
Style guides
Subscription plan
Refer a friend
Notification panel
Copy text button
Empty state screens
Setting page
Style guides
Subscription plan
Refer a friend
"Could Have" and "Won't Have" are censored out due to non disclosable reasons.
"Could Have" and "Won't Have" are censored out due to non disclosable reasons.
"Could Have" and "Won't Have" are censored out due to non disclosable reasons.
Initial product requirements
Initial product requirements
Initial product requirements
User authentication:
Basic account setup, login, and logout for personalised user access.
Generate summery:
Generate concise summary of any UPSC topic.
Generate questions:
Generate high-quality sample questions for both Prelims and Mains in real time.
Regenerate response:
Regenerate a new version of the summary or questions for the same input.
Continue generating response:
Extend the current response for longer or incomplete topics.
User authentication:
Basic account setup, login, and logout for personalised user access.
Generate summery:
Generate concise summary of any UPSC topic.
Generate questions:
Generate high-quality sample questions for both Prelims and Mains in real time.
Regenerate response:
Regenerate a new version of the summary or questions for the same input.
Continue generating response:
Extend the current response for longer or incomplete topics.
User authentication:
Basic account setup, login, and logout for personalised user access.
Generate summery:
Generate concise summary of any UPSC topic.
Generate questions:
Generate high-quality sample questions for both Prelims and Mains in real time.
Regenerate response:
Regenerate a new version of the summary or questions for the same input.
Continue generating response:
Extend the current response for longer or incomplete topics.
Emergent product requirements
Emergent product requirements
Emergent product requirements
Collect response feedback:
Gather real-time feedback for the generated response to ensure response quality and user satisfaction.
Clear conversation:
Clear the chat interface to start a fresh conversation.
Collect response feedback:
Gather real-time feedback for the generated response to ensure response quality and user satisfaction.
Clear conversation:
Clear the chat interface to start a fresh conversation.
Collect response feedback:
Gather real-time feedback for the generated response to ensure response quality and user satisfaction.
Clear conversation:
Clear the chat interface to start a fresh conversation.
Final Designs
Final Designs
Final Designs
Design Handoff
Design Handoff
Design Handoff
Last Update — April, 2024