My 6 years at UPSC: Finally going to LBSNAA
Post by reddit Community user r/upsc Prelims is doable
First Attempt: 5th January 2019
It was the first time that I entered the library of our college for study purpose. Before that, I only went there to use Wi-Fi or sit in air conditioning. I was in the last semester of my college and I had 5 months of time to study for the UPSC prelims 2019.
The syllabus was huge and it had everything under the sun. But I was excited and interested. For the first time in my college years, I was enjoying studies.
I used to be the first one to enter the library and last one to leave the library on most days. I also had to attend the college classes, which I did not like at all. My interest in Computer Science started fading in 3rd year and by the time I reached the last semester, I just wanted to pass the final exam and get the graduation degree required for the UPSC exam.
Fortunately, I passed my college final exam and went home. When I reached home, only 2 weeks were remaining for the Prelims.
I had decided that this attempt would be just to "gain experience" and not a serious attempt. I went with full confidence and cleared the Prelims.
But I was not at all ready for the Mains exam. I went to Delhi for coaching for my Optional—PSIR. I fell in love with the subject. I stayed in Delhi for almost 6 months and it was the hardest I had studied ever. I stayed in a small room where only my bed and a small table could fit. The cooler outside the room created so much humidity that it was extremely difficult to sleep. The food was terrible.
I used to wake up at 1 PM, freshen up in 30–45 mins, take metro from Shadipur to Karol Bagh and attend the class at 2:30 PM. Classes went on till 5 PM. Then I used to come back to Shadipur and go straight to the library. I used to study from 6 PM to 5 AM in the morning. Then go to the room, sleep at 6 AM. There was no time for anything else.
My first Mains came and I failed it miserably as I was not at all ready for Mains. I realised that I had to do a lot more to succeed in the exam.
I went back home and started studying for my second attempt.
Second Attempt:
In the college years, I started having some symptoms of OCD and Depression. Many of my friends had earlier pointed it out as well but I ignored the warnings. Finally, during the Covid time, my symptoms went out of control. I was angry for no reason, I used to cry alone in my room, I started throwing things around and I said some mean things to my parents which I regret deeply. I also got panic attacks a few times.
Finally, I decided to get psychiatric help. I went to Bhopal where my brother helped me with a doctor. My medicines were very expensive and I was told to visit every month. So I decided to move to Bhopal to continue my studies and treatment. I got a PG and started studying in a library.
But because of all these things—mental health, consistent moving—I wasted a lot of time. Consequently, I failed the prelims.
Third Attempt:
I decided to stay in Bhopal. I studied and prepared for the Mains mostly. My mental health started getting better. I was stable and I was confident. I did a lot of answer writing, made new friends in Bhopal.
But just a few days before prelims, Covid 2nd wave hit India and prelims were postponed. I went back home. I was not able to study with such a sudden disruption. I used my time at home to teach my mother how to read and write. I was partially successful.
After the Covid 2nd wave was over, I went back to Bhopal and gave my attempt. But this year I took CSAT (Paper 2) very lightly. I did not have any strategy for CSAT, I heavily relied on Math. But this year, Math was on a tougher side and Reading Comprehension was easier. I got stuck in CSAT. Consequently, I failed prelims yet again.
Fourth Attempt:
This time I decided to do everything in power to clear prelims. My main focus was on prelims. I gave very less time to Mains as I had failed prelims two times. I made a detailed strategy for every subject, solved innumerable questions, solved all the PYQs I could find. I also made a strategy for CSAT and tried to balance both Math and RC. I was very confident. I knew before the prelims that I would clear it.
And rightly so, I cleared the CSE cutoff easily. Not only that, I also cleared the IFS cutoff but I had not filled the form for IFS.
I started preparing for CSE Mains. I did a lot of answer writing but it was way back in 2020. I had to start again from scratch. It was a long time since my optional coaching and I had forgotten a lot of things. There were no good offline mock test centres in Bhopal, so I could not get real-time simulation for the Mains.
With so many flaws in my preparation, I failed Mains again. I was 35 marks short of the cutoff.
But this attempt was game changing for me, because I had a confidence that I can clear the IFS cutoff in prelims, which is incredibly difficult.
Fifth Attempt (1st Attempt at IFS):
I knew that I had to study two additional optionals for IFS. So in January, before prelims, I watched the lectures of Forestry.
Then I started studying for Prelims. I followed the same strategy I followed in 2022. Again, I cleared both CSE and IFS cutoffs.
I also started giving other exams like EPFO, CAPF, some bank exams. I did not get through any of them. And my mind was set on IFS.
I moved to Delhi for CSE Mains. I gave a decent attempt and I thought I would clear it this time. My mock tests were going well and I was getting good feedback. I wrote my Mains with full confidence.
Just 2 months after the CSE Mains was IFS Mains. I started studying Geology optional for the first time. But the subject was extremely technical and vast. I tried my best to complete the syllabus but had to leave a lot of topics because of paucity of time. I gave IFS Mains and it went okay.
Few days later, my CSE Mains result came and I was heartbroken. I had missed the interview cutoff by 5 marks.
But a month later, the IFS Mains result came and I was selected for the interview. Meanwhile, I also gave CSIR CASE in which I got ASO post in Chennai in 2025.
I started preparing for the IFS interview from home. I was very underconfident. I focused a lot on studies rather than practice. I got decent marks in the interview but because of my low marks in the Mains, I missed the final cutoff by just 1 mark.
I was heartbroken yet again. I cried alone for 4 days. Did not talk much to anyone. But with the next year's prelims just 30 days away, I had to start studying again
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Sixth Attempt (2nd at IFS):
I gave the prelims, I followed the same strategy again and cleared both CSE and IFS cutoffs.
But this time, I chose my path. I chose IFS. I had gained a lot of knowledge about the service and I knew I was passionate about it. I knew that I would definitely clear the exam this year. I just knew it.
I decided to not give CSE Mains and focus entirely on IFS Mains. I studied Geology most of the time but gave other subjects equal focus too.
I had done a lot of answer writing for GS in CSE Mains which helped me score well in GK in IFS Mains.
I utilized my knowledge of PSIR optional in CSE in my Essay in English. I had studied English for bank exams which helped me in the Grammar section. I had prepared letter writing, precis for CSIR CASE exam. All of the earlier experience helped me in GK and English.
Further, I improved my Forestry and Geology optional knowledge by skipping CSE. I also did a lot of answer writing for these optionals, which many people ignore.
Finally, the IFS Mains result came in January. And as expected, I was selected for the interview.
I started preparing for the IFS interview. I went to Delhi for interview preparation. I gave a few mocks to assess my preparation.
But I was confident this time. I knew that this would be just a formality because I had a good Mains score. So I went for the interview with full confidence. My interview was on 1st May 2025.
Post Interview Anxiety:
Although I was confident with my performance, still I was too anxious. UPSC increased the anxiety by delaying the result for almost 2 weeks. Meanwhile, I also joined my backup job as ASO in CSIR, Chennai.
19th May 2025: All the insiders were saying that the result would come today. But honestly, I had zero trust on insiders. It was 5:30 PM. I left my office and thought the result would not come today. But UPSC surprised all of us and released the result around 7:30 PM.
I opened the holy PDF and I saw my name. I did not even have to search my name—it was there on the first page. I could not believe my eyes. I checked if it is Final result or IFS Mains result. I stared at the name for 4–5 minutes. I was laughing and crying at the same time.
I started getting calls but I ignored all of them. I called my sister but she was busy with something. Then I called my father. His reaction was not very enthusiastic but I knew he was the happiest at that time. I knew my family would be very proud and that's what we all live for—making our loved ones proud and happy.
One year ago, I had no job. I had missed the final cutoff by 1 mark. I was devastated and alone. I was physically unfit, weighing close to 100 kgs.
Today, I have my name in the UPSC final list. I resigned from my backup job. And I am physically fit as I worked hard on my body.
So you never know what lies ahead. But always remember to trust the process. If you are truthful and honest with your work, you will succeed—maybe not immediately, but definitely.
Disclaimer : This post was found on redit under r/upsc by the name Not_a_redditor_000. This has been posted to help the aspirants community
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