Voices of Sherlockers

"Neil Sir’s PYQ videos on YouTube and my friends’ constant chirp of the logical triumphs they would score thanks to him made prelims of 2024 easier. The march towards mains became less stressful on hearing Sir’s approval of the qualitative prowess of my answers. At the final stage, the Interview sessions made the Personality Test journey pleasantly satisfying and sailed through with a 206 in my Personality Test. Super thankful for the community, Sir’s impress on logic, and most importantly, the constant positivity. Couldn’t have done it without folks like you!"

"Prelims had become a stumbling block for me, yet the Sherlocking Prelims Module proved invaluable. It taught me the right approach to tackle questions. The multiple online sessions conducted by Sir kept me in the right frame of mind. As Sir often says, “the proof of the pudding lies in eating it.” Experiencing the effectiveness of his approach during prelims strengthened my trust further, and once the prelims results were out, I enrolled in the Mains Sherlocking course as well. I was initially apprehensive about case studies, but Sir’s methodology enabled me to develop a template that proved extremely useful on the exam day. During the mains phase, I relied extensively on the ‘Answer Writing Bot’, and the feedback I received, especially for essays was among the finest I’ve had. The Bot truly feels like Neil Sir in “robot form”! Sir also guided me through the PT stage and was always available for one-to-one sessions, patiently resolving even the smallest of doubts. Words fall short in expressing my gratitude to Neil Sir and the UnlockIAS team, who were consistently prompt and supportive. I feel deeply fortunate to have found Sir and the Sherlocking modules."

"I was unable to clear my first Prelims attempt in CSE 2022. A major change in strategy took place after I came across Neil sir's 2022 Prelims Sherlocking video on YouTube the next year and it taught me how to properly analyze PYQ's the right way and identify themes, patterns and Heuristics."

"Neil Sir's guidance was invaluable in my UPSC journey. His simplified teaching approach and mentorship helped me develop the right strategy and temperament to crack the exam."

"I took the Prelims GS + CSAT Module of Neil Sir. The GS Module is very insightful in understanding how to solve questions in the prelims exam, especially when most questions seem to be beyond the standard books. Similarly, his analysis of PYQ and the accompanying notes he provided was very useful in identifying the core themes of UPSC Prelims which tend to get repeated. I am very grateful for Neil Sir’s teaching of CSAT techniques – specially for the comprehension passages. I really recommend Sir’s course as they help an aspirant to get a deeper understanding of what Prelims demands beyond the basic books and the conventional narratives."

"The structured guidance I received from Neil Sir was crucial to my achievement. His expertise and dedication helped me stay focused and perform my best."

"In an age of content overload, biggest challenge isn’t access to information, but the ability to separate wheat from the chaff. This is where the Sherlocking approach stands out. I came across Neil sir after my 2023 Prelims, when I couldn’t make past the first stage of civil service examination. On going through the freely available 2022 Pre PYQ playlist on YT, the Sherlocking approach really spoke to the consultant in me. The emphasis on common sense, basic sources, and heuristics became fundamental pillars of my prelims prep. Eventually, as a result of countless Sherlocking practice, I ended up clearing next year’s prelims with 20+ marks above the cutoff. The result spoke for itself, and since then I’ve referred almost all my library mates to the Sherlocking way of approaching the (Uncertain)PSC exam. It only goes on to show how valuable I’ve found UnlockIAS over my preparation journey. Thank you for all that you do, sir!"

"Very happy to share that I have secured AIR 317 in UPSC CSE 2025. I would like to thank Neil sir for his constant support. I was enrolled in Sherlocking prelims and mains module and IGP of Neil sir. I benefited from all the courses and meets throughout my preparation. For the ones who cleared alongside, congratulations and those who couldn’t, just have faith in the process and one day you will wonder “Justice delivered and how.”"

"With god’s blessings, I secured AIR 369 this year in CSE 2025. I want to thank Neil Sir for timely guidance and support. I have been immensely benefitted from the Sherlocking series, including Sherlocking prelims. Also, your breakdown of mains syllabus and lectures on same were extremely crucial. Also, I fully appreciate timely response to the little details for improvement and attention to even the silliest of my queries. Thanking you again."

"Neil Sir's guidance was instrumental in my success. His clarity of concepts and strategic approach helped me navigate the UPSC journey with confidence."

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Neil Sir and the UnlockIAS Academy for being an integral part of my UPSC journey. The freely available videos, especially on tackling tricky Prelims questions, were incredibly insightful. Neil Sir’s special mentorship in my interview preparation was extremely beneficial and it helped me score good marks. Thank you once again for your unwavering support and encouragement!"

"Neil sir shared the true reality of UPSC interview and that immensely helped me in getting 190 marks in interview. Highly recommend sir’s guidance as it aims to deliver results."

"I'm grateful to you for your guidance. There were days when I was self-doubtful, then I used to remember your words (advice during interview prep). It gave me confidence and peace of mind. Sir is someone who stands apart from the commercial crowd. You are a genuine mentor and a friend to aspirants, sir. Please do keep supporting the community."

"I have secured rank 861 in UPSC CSE 2025. Though not as great of a performance, the whole of my Mains strategy (barring optional) was guided only by Unlock IAS module on mains. Additionally the prelims module of Unlock IAS in itself is a gold mine and one of a kind. I am really grateful to Neil Sir and Unlock IAS team for the IP they have created that led me into the list."

"Cleared ICoAS. The Sherlocking approach made my preparation simpler and more focused. No unnecessary stress, just clarity on what to do. Thank you Neil sir for the guidance."

"Secured AIR 26 in UPSC LEO. The Sherlocking method gave me the clarity and confidence I needed. Focused preparation, right strategy, and consistent guidance made all the difference. Thank you Neil sir."

"Secured AIR 37 in IFS. Sherlocking helped me streamline my preparation and focus on what truly matters. The strategy was clear, practical, and effective. Grateful to Neil sir for the constant support throughout this journey."

"I am very happy to share that I have secured All India Rank 71 in the Indian Forest Service Examination 2024. I would like to sincerely thank you for your invaluable guidance and support during my preparation. Your insights, words of encouragement, and the time you took to mentor aspirants like me made a significant difference in my journey. Grateful for your contribution, and I hope to carry forward the spirit of public service with the same dedication and integrity that you inspire in so many of us."

"Thanks a lot Neil Sir for helping in the interview phase of HCS. Your guidance ensured that I was confident and fearless during this phase."

"I am grateful for the constant guidance and support I received throughout my preparation journey. The right mentorship, clear strategy, and consistent motivation played a crucial role in my success. This guidance helped me stay focused, confident, and disciplined during every phase of preparation and the interview."

"I got rank 51 in HCS 2022. And I have followed Neil sir tips for in this journey which was really helpful. THANK YOU SIR. KEEP GUIDING STUDENTS."

"Neil Sir Thanks a lot for your guidance right from Prelims stage to Interview stage, the way you analysed the HCS exam process and pattern helped me a lot. Keep guiding & Inspiring us Sir."

"I got Rank 60 in HCS. Aapne jo apna waqt nikalke suggestions di wo bhot kaam aayi. Thank you so much Neil sir."

"I've cleared 69th BPSC CCE. I'd like to thank Neil Sir and the team for being a constant pillar of support throughout the journey. Right from the prelims stage upto the one-on-one session during interview prep, Neil Sir's guidance has been invaluable. I'd also like to thank the amazing people I've met through this community - all of their help in various ways, and their good wishes have made this possible."

"Secured Rank 90 in HCS 2024. Thanks to the guidance and support that helped me stay on track throughout my preparation."

"I was a part of Sherlocking IGP and Neil Sir’s guidance on tackling the different types of situations (through his own mock clips) was very very helpful. Sir’s efforts in reviewing my interview video and suggesting some real workable points really helped me maintain my confidence while also improving my overall conduct and ace my actual interview. Truly grateful to have found this community right when I needed it the most."

"Recently I cleared my Odisha state PCS exam with a rank of 104. The art of sherlocking works like a charm. It teaches us how to focus on utilizing the basic resources in the right direction to decode the right answer. The unpredictability that surrounds prelims can be easily tackled through this technique. Neil sir's approach at mains stands out. His focus on syllabus parsing and intensive PYQ analysis sets the base for mains prep. The Google meet sessions are really very helpful – his insights and tips regarding the exam are unique."