Is Clearing UPSC A Myth? Perhaps Not!

UPSC is arguably the world’s toughest exam. Millions of aspirants with their own unique motives and mindsets set sail for its preparation. For many of them, the preparation phase spans more than one year. Giving 4 or 5 attempts is a common story. In the streets of Delhi’s Mukherjee or Old Rajendar Nagar, one can find youngsters grinding day and night. Heads glued to the newspaper and bulky books are an all-day view. 

The competition is only growing, and so is the dedication of aspirants. And behind all this hustle are financial issues, family pressure, relationship struggles, and a very low success rate. A reasonable question always hovers in the mind — “Will it Really Pay Off?”

Since every year there are toppers who preserve their efforts throughout all these challenges and receive a badge of honor in the end, the grind pays off for some (if not all). 

Well, life somehow gives it back to even the people who saw disappointing results. But in this article, you and I are going to dissect the secret mantra of civil service jobs in India. 

1. The Mindset You Need

Everybody would agree on this — an UPSC journey is more of a psychological struggle. A lot of pressure will be on your mind for months or years. So, you start this journey with a strong mentality and maintain it all the way. 

The environment will keep pressuring you every day in different ways. But if you have a strong mindset, you would see objective reasonability beyond all that negativity. 

What is This Mindset?

A strong mindset is to separate reality from illusive emotions. 

For example, emotions like fear or confidence both exist in the mind. They don’t have an objective identity. Yet, something that is just in the mind can translate into real consequences in the external world. 

A confident individual is likely to perform well in an interview. A person with doubts and fear will likely perform poorly. Both are mental illusions. But one can take you to success, and the other can create a wall. 

So, you see, this mindset is a valuable asset for your journey. Building it takes time and conscious effort. 

It’s All Game of Narratives

When we observe an incident or receive information, our brains begin to look out for meaning. Like “What does it mean?” or “What does it say?” 

Since evolution favors giving preference to negative news, our mind is going to pick negative narratives. Here, note that these narratives do not represent any objective reality and only exist in the mind. Yet, they will make a difference in your life if they stay longer. 

So, it’s better to introduce positive narratives and repeat them over and over. This will form a strong basis for a positive mindset that will confront and keep away negative narratives. 

2. The ‘Why’ Should Be Clear

You are going to invest so much effort for a long period of time. Know your motivations and ambitions for the UPSC journey clearly. Because when questions like “Why am I doing this?” or “What’s the point of all this?” pop up, you need to have solid, ready-made answers. 

Many lack clarity and they leave the preparation in between, making them question their life choices. Some are captivated by the prestige of the position, some are eyeing government employment benefits, and many are doing it because everyone is doing it. 

So, write down or talk to yourself loudly about the ‘Why’ in a precise way. 

3. A Study Style That Resonates with You

You will find a lot of students following the same study schedule or study material. Your choice can be different. Consume the knowledge you really care about from the books you find interesting. Exercise your knowledge with organized debates and by communicating ideas. Observe the gaps you need to fill first. Practice consistency until the momentum takes on and turn it into a habit. 

The Bottom Line

As long as you keep everything in check, the rate of success will rise beyond 1% for you. Remember, there are millions out there who are competing for the same position. You have to be unique to be among those UNIQUE. And in case you don’t see that in yourself, the best time to start anything is now. 

Keep believing in yourself!