After repeated failures for seven years, Pawan Gupta was capable of clear the Union Public Service Fee (UPSC) Indian International Service (IFS) examination 2022 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 90. Willpower and persistence saved him motivated even after 5 unsuccessful makes an attempt.
In dialog with The Higher India, the Agra resident says, “The one motivation all through these years was that I wished to be a part of a service the place my work might enhance folks’s lives on a big scale.”
“I’ve seen how officers have the facility to carry change in folks’s lives — be it in training, transport or infrastructure. There have been instances once I was extraordinarily demotivated. However I didn’t let the negativity of my failures dampen my enthusiasm to work in the direction of the purpose of positively impacting my nation,” he provides.
He started making ready for the UPSC in 2015. Nonetheless, it wasn’t till 2022 that he efficiently handed the examination. Now an IFS officer, Pawan shares his journey and presents recommendation on avoiding frequent errors throughout preparation.
Turning setbacks into strengths
Hailing from a modest enterprise household in Agra, Pawan studied mechanical engineering. Whereas in school at NIT Durgapur, he felt impressed to clear the UPSC examination. Nonetheless, he determined to work at an automotive manufacturing firm to attain monetary independence.
Even whereas holding a job on the firm, he couldn’t let go of his dream profession. He managed to juggle each — working and trying the UPSC examination in 2015 and 2016 — however sadly, he didn’t go the prelims each years. “I wished to concentrate on the examination, so I give up my job after two years,” he says.
Pawan tried the examination once more in 2017 however didn’t make it previous the prelims. Then, in 2018, he succeeded in clearing the prelims for each the Civil Providers Examination (CSE) and IFS. “Out of the 2, I managed to go solely the IFS Mains, however couldn’t make it via the interview spherical,” he says.
This time, he took a niche yr and appeared within the Indian Engineering Providers (IES) examination to get employed once more. “I used to be jobless all these years. It was getting troublesome for me to handle bills, so I considered taking on a job,” shares Pawan, who secured AIR 17 in IES and began working as an assistant work supervisor at Indian Railways in Kapurthala, Punjab.
“My repeated failures whereas trying the UPSC CSE led me to assume that the examination was fairly troublesome for me and that I won’t have the ability to clear it. However as soon as I cleared IES and acquired a job once more, I regained my confidence. This helped me to concentrate on my dream job once more, however this time with a relaxed way of thinking,” he says.
In 2020, he labored laborious and tried each the CSE and IFS interviews, however nonetheless missed the ultimate record. He skipped the try in 2021 on account of his IES coaching. Regardless of every setback, Pawan saved pushing himself. “Now, I had just one try left. I wished to utilise the interval to work on my weaknesses in order that my possibilities of getting chosen turn into excessive,” he says.
Lastly, in 2022, Pawan achieved his purpose and secured a spot within the IFS with an All India Rank (AIR) of 90.
“I used to be actually joyful that I lastly handed the examination in any case these years. My previous errors taught me to not assume something. Simply since you have been a high pupil and did properly in school doesn’t assure success right here. The preparation humbles you and strengthens your resolve,” he provides.
At present, he’s getting coaching for the foundational course on the Lal Bahadur Shastri Nationwide Academy of Administration (LSBNAA), Mussoorie.
Essential insights for UPSC aspirants
Every time Pawan didn’t rating properly, he focused on bettering these weak areas. As an example, he struggled with reply writing and practising inside the three-hour examination format.
Based mostly on his experiences, he shares helpful suggestions and factors out errors that aspirants ought to keep away from.
Begin as early as doable: “Though I knew that I wished to look for the examination in my school days, it was solely after I give up my job that I began honest preparation. If you’re critical about trying the examination, there isn’t a level in delaying the method,” he says.
Get good steerage: When Pawan began to organize for UPSC, he noticed a scarcity of fine on-line research materials. “We didn’t have entry to digital means like Telegram for notes. I wished to organize however didn’t know the way. I ended up studying the unsuitable books,” he shares.
“Getting steerage from somebody who can direct you on what to check, when to check, and which subjects to concentrate on is important. Realizing what errors to keep away from is essential too. This examination is sort of demanding, so aspirants want strong steerage,” he says.
Select the fitting non-compulsory: Since Pawan studied mechanical engineering, he chosen the identical area as his non-compulsory topic. He advises college students to choose an non-compulsory topic they’re obsessed with and have ample assets for.
“These days, candidates usually select topics like anthropology, sociology, geology, and forestry as their non-compulsory as a result of these have manageable syllabi and in addition assist basically research preparation. As an example, I couldn’t apply my mechanical research to common research, however that labored out for me as a result of some topics (with much less syllabus) devour extra power that might in any other case be spent on different subjects,” he provides.
“So, it’s a good suggestion for candidates to debate their choices with somebody who cleared the examination with their chosen non-compulsory, as they will present helpful insights to make the ultimate alternative,” he says.
Concentrate on reply writing: “Reply writing helps you rating higher. Maintain your introduction brief, write solutions in factors, underline the key phrases, give an honest conclusion, and embrace diagrams in topics like geography,” suggests Pawan.
Make brief notes on large subjects: Pawan suggests utilizing brief notes for last-minute revision. “Brief notes assist revise content material in a brief time period. I had brief notes for each subject. Your content material needs to be condensed. For instance, convert a 20–30 web page subject into 3–4 web page brief notes. Additionally, put together your self to look to write down common research papers 1, 2, 3, and 4 — 4 exams in two days,” he provides.
Maintain one other profession possibility: “Chances are you’ll meet many toppers and officers whereas making ready, however keep in mind there are lakhs who have been unable to clear the examination. Their tales by no means get revealed. Be sure that to fulfill them and perceive the challenges they confronted. Then concentrate on the examination sincerely. There is no such thing as a disgrace in having a second profession possibility; IITians additionally hold NIT as an possibility!” he says.
Don’t make examination your life: “Take into account that it’s only a take a look at, not your total life. You would possibly excel in your research and preparation, however outcomes won’t at all times go as deliberate. Many aspirants fear that failing this examination will break their lives. At instances, this strain leads us to reply questions incorrectly. Bear in mind to remain calm in the course of the examination. With persistence, issues will ultimately work out,” he says.
Edited by Pranita Bhat
