Failed the UPSC prelims on first try, but became a top-ranking IAS officer on the second due to self-confidence.

Pratham Kaushik’s tale is not just one of triumph but of unwavering self-belief and perseverance. After a setback in his first attempt at the UPSC prelims, Kaushik turned the tides in his favor by securing the prestigious All India Rank 5 in the 2017 UPSC examination, thereby achieving his dream of becoming an IAS officer.

This remarkable success came on his second attempt. The initial failure in the prelims was not a full stop but a comma in his journey, leading him to devise a more robust strategy and toil even harder for the subsequent attempt. Kaushik’s story underlines a profound truth: to conquer the UPSC exam, faith in oneself is as crucial as the preparation itself.

During his college years, Pratham made a definitive choice to embark on the UPSC journey. Despite the daunting voices that often echoed the examination’s difficulty, he chose to turn a deaf ear to the skeptics. The fear of failure did cast a shadow on his first attempt, where he found himself succumbing to the pressure and anxiety within the examination hall, leading to an unsuccessful prelims result.

However, Pratham’s resolve was steel. Instead of letting the failure define his capabilities, he channeled it to fuel his dedication. With renewed vigor and an unfaltering belief in himself, he faced the examination once again. The second time around, he not only passed but also emerged as one of the top contenders, thereby fulfilling his vision of joining the Indian Administrative Service.

Pratham’s journey challenges the common misconceptions surrounding the UPSC examination. He stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right mindset and strategy, the UPSC exam is not a mountain too steep to climb. According to him, success is not reserved for a select few; it is attainable by anyone who approaches it with methodical preparation and indomitable self-confidence.

Pratham Kaushik’s ascent to becoming an IAS officer serves as a motivational tale for all UPSC aspirants, reminding them that a setback is merely a setup for a grand comeback, provided one has the heart to pursue it with sincerity and the courage to believe in oneself through thick and thin.