IPS Kartikeya Verma’s UPSC Journey and Unpause Advice

May 9, 2024

3 Minutes

Introduction

Kartikeya Verma, a member of the 2023 batch of the Rajasthan Cadre of the Indian Police Service (IPS), shares his experiences and lessons learned during his UPSC journey.

Early Life and Motivation

Verma hails from Rajasthan, where he completed his schooling in Jaipur and pursued engineering at IIT Roorkee. His family’s encouragement, particularly his mother’s, inspired him to pursue civil services and contribute to society.

UPSC Journey

Verma’s UPSC journey commenced in 2017. He initially prepared in Delhi and took his first attempt in 2018. While he cleared the preliminary exam, he failed the main exam due to an overemphasis on prelims preparation.

In 2019, his improved performance earned him success in both the prelims and mains. However, medical issues hindered his interview preparation, resulting in a missed interview call.

Determined, Verma made his third attempt in 2020, clearing the mains and securing an interview call. Despite a strong interview performance, he narrowly missed the final list by five marks.

Undeterred, he attempted the exam again in 2021 but fell short of the interview list.

Alternate Career Path and Learning from Failures

After his fifth and final attempt, Verma recognized that UPSC may not be his chosen path. He explored alternate career options such as state services and central services. He also pursued teaching to enhance his resume.

Strategic Career Breaks

Throughout his UPSC journey, Verma emphasized the importance of strategic career breaks. When faced with stagnation, he suggests pausing preparation to pursue alternate careers, build experience, and improve interview skills. These experiences can also complement UPSC preparation later on.

Perseverance and Challenges

Despite setbacks, Verma believes in the power of perseverance. He acknowledges that success may require repeated attempts and unwavering dedication. By continuously improving, aspirants can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Satisfaction and Well-being

Verma stresses the importance of assessing satisfaction with preparation. A positive attitude and celebration of hard work, regardless of the outcome, can enhance mental resilience.

Support System

He encourages aspirants to maintain connections with family, friends, or a support system that provides emotional support. Openly addressing mental health issues and seeking clinical help when necessary is crucial for well-being.

Unpause UPSC Advice

Understanding the Reality:

• Recognize the competitive nature of the exam and limited availability of seats.

Planning an Alternate Path:

• Consider pursuing alternative career options to prevent overreliance on UPSC.

Setting an Exit Plan:

• Determine a maximum number of attempts and adhere to it to avoid burnout.

Strategic Career Breaks:

• Utilize pauses in preparation to gain valuable experiences and enhance skills.

Perseverance and Focus:

• Stay persistent despite setbacks and maintain focus on improvement.

Striving for Satisfaction:

• Regularly assess preparation and acknowledge efforts, regardless of results.

Emotional Support:

• Seek support from loved ones or professionals to manage stress and anxiety.

Conclusion

The UPSC Civil Services Examination offers an opportunity for personal and professional transformation. However, it requires a balanced approach that prioritizes both well-being and goal attainment. By following the Unpause UPSC Advice, aspirants can navigate the challenges of the journey and achieve success in both their personal and professional endeavors.