A UPSC candidate who couldn’t even clear the Prelims in his first attempt goes on to ace the exam the very next year with All India Rank 2! It is by no means an easy feat. Such a huge jump from level 0 to the top. How was he able to do it in such a short span of time? A million-dollar question, because a year was all that it took for him to travel the distance from ‘failure’ to ‘topper’.
To know how this was possible, we have to go back to the journey of this candidate, who is now an IAS officer. He is Mr. Jatin Kishore, and, today, we present his inspiring UPSC success journey.
DIDN’T LET FAILURE PULL HIM DOWN
In 2018, when he made his first attempt at UPSC CSE, Mr. Kishore couldn’t even cross the first step, i.e. Prelims. Naturally, he was very upset, but he didn’t let this failure affect his motivation level. If anything, he used this failure to motivate himself more.
He analysed his mistakes, adjusted his strategy accordingly, prepared harder than before, and gave his all in the next year’s exam. His motivational level was so high that all throughout his preparation days within a year and, thereafter, in the exams and interview, he did exceedingly well and was confident that he would crack CSE 2019. And he did! Not just cracked but aced it to come in the top. He was a UPSC topper that year with AIR 2.
HAD CLEARED INDIAN ECONOMIC SERVICE EARLIER
Before clearing UPSC CSE, Mr. Kishore had cracked the Indian Economic Service exam and was posted as the Assistant Director in the Ministry of Rural Development in Delhi. So, while preparing for his second attempt at CSE, Mr. Kishore was working and studying simultaneously. An, still, he managed to become a topper!
IMPORTANCE OF NOT LOSING HOPE
When he couldn’t crack the Prelims in his first attempt, instead of mopping and fretting or wallowing in self-pity, he immediately set about finding out the reasons behind his failure.
In an interview to media, he said, “I was upset for a little while with the result. However, that was not the end of the road. If I had failed in my second attempt, I would have maximized my effort because losing hope is not an option. Some people clear it in first attempt and some take 3-4 attempts. It doesn’t make any difference. The aspirants have to make sure they do not repeat the same mistakes and work hard. I also realised my shortcomings and found out that I was too afraid to take risk. That is why, I only attempted 70 out of 100 questions in the Prelims, during my first attempt.”
So, in his next attempt, he was determined to take risks and solve as many questions as he could. Since, one has to be more prepared when taking risks, he made sure he solved a good number of mock tests for the practice.
CUT DOWN SOURCES
Debunking the popular belief that coaching is necessary to clear UPSC exams, Mr. Kishore said that since lots of material are available on internet, it is not necessary to join any coaching classes. At the same time, he cautioned against trying to read from varied sources. “I won’t advise this. Reading too many things is not important. Rather, one should focus on revising as many times as possible. It is difficult to store that much information and it could also cloud your judgment while answering a question.”
BUILDING ON FAILURE
Mr. Kishore’s strategy worked well for him, as is evident from his excellent result. He was allotted AGMUT cadre of IAS. His inspiring UPSC journey is a guide to all aspirants on how to build from failures. There’s a saying that ‘when life pulls you back, it is actually preparing you for greater success.’ It fits so well on Mr. Jatin Kishore. From failing Prelims in the 2018 CSE to topping the 2019 CSE, there cannot be a better example of using failure as a stepping stone to success
