For many UPSC aspirants, success is often measured through ranks, services, and final selections. But for Tania Mishra, the journey was never just about clearing an examination. It was about confronting self-doubt, making difficult choices, and continuing to move forward even when outcomes remained uncertain.
Today, Tania Mishra serves as an officer in the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) after securing AIR 269 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. Before entering the civil services, she had already achieved what many dream of.
She secured AIR 26 in the CAPF examination, joined the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as an assistant commandant, and underwent rigorous training as a Group A officer.
Yet, even while wearing the uniform, she continued pursuing another goal that had inspired her for years.
Inspired by a Life of Service
Tania’s interest in public service began long before UPSC preparation.
Growing up, she closely observed her father, who served in the Border Security Force (BSF). Watching his commitment to duty and the larger purpose behind his work left a lasting impression on her.
Like many young Indians from defence backgrounds, her first ambition was to serve the nation through the uniformed services. After graduating in 2020, she focused on defence examinations and consistently performed well.
She cleared multiple competitive examinations, including CDS and AFCAT, and eventually achieved a major breakthrough in 2022 by securing AIR 26 in the CAPF Examination.
Joining the CISF as an assistant commandant marked a significant achievement. The experience introduced her to leadership responsibilities, discipline, and the demands of public service at a young age.
But another goal continued to remain in sight.
Civil Services Was Always the Destination
Even while preparing for defence services, Tania never completely stepped away from her UPSC Civil Services dream.
Looking back, she says the civil services had always been her long-term objective.
“Civil Services was always the destination. CAPF was a milestone I was proud of, genuinely, but even as I was clearing it, I knew in some corner of my mind that it wasn’t the finish line,” Tania shared in an interview with Indian Masterminds.
The transition was not about abandoning one career for another. Instead, it was about continuing toward a goal she had envisioned from the beginning.
While undergoing CISF training, she was also awaiting the results of UPSC CSE 2023.
When the final list was announced, she secured AIR 269 and earned a place in the Indian Audit and Accounts Service.
The result changed the trajectory of her career.
Interestingly, it was also her first successful Mains examination.
Two Failed Attempts Before Success
The rank may appear impressive, but the road leading to it was far from smooth.
Tania’s UPSC success came in her third attempt.
The first two attempts ended before she could even reach the Mains stage.
Like thousands of aspirants across the country, she experienced the frustration of seeing peers move ahead while questioning whether she was on the right path.
However, she refused to let those setbacks define her future.
“The first two attempts didn’t even get me to Mains. The CSAT was the wall I kept running into. But I didn’t let those attempts define the story. They were just chapters, not the ending.”
That mindset eventually made all the difference.
The Simple Strategy Behind AIR 269
In an era of complex study plans, endless resources, and constant strategy discussions, Tania followed a surprisingly straightforward approach.
Her preparation focused on strong fundamentals, limited study material, and continuous revision.
There was no elaborate formula.
“I kept it almost embarrassingly simple. Strong basics, limited sources, revision upon revision. No exotic strategy. No colour-coded 47-step plan.”
More importantly, she developed faith in the process.
“I genuinely believed that if I just kept showing up every single day, it would eventually add up. Consistency isn’t glamorous, but it works.”
This belief helped her maintain momentum even when immediate results were not visible.
Managing UPSC Preparation During CISF Training
One of the most challenging phases of her journey was balancing CISF commitments with UPSC preparation.
Her solution was not multitasking but prioritisation.
She appeared for the CAPF interview during her UPSC preparation cycle. Once the interview concluded, she made a conscious decision to focus entirely on the Civil Services Mains examination.
“What saves you in situations like these isn’t some superhuman capacity to multitask. It’s the clarity to know what matters most at any given moment and to pursue that without guilt or distraction.“
This focused approach helped her make the most of the limited time available.
Why Tania Chose IA&AS
Among aspirants, the Indian Audit and Accounts Service often receives less attention than many other civil services.
For Tania, however, IA&AS offered exactly the kind of work she was seeking.
She was attracted by the service’s role in strengthening accountability, improving governance, and ensuring public resources are utilised effectively.
The work of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), particularly high-profile audits that shaped national conversations, demonstrated how institutions can influence governance in meaningful ways.
She also highlights the service’s diverse opportunities, including engagement with state governments, policy-level responsibilities, deputation prospects, and international exposure.
“Most people walk in thinking it’s a narrower service. What they don’t see is the sheer breadth of it. It’s a service that rewards those who are curious enough to explore what it actually offers.”
Her perspective reflects a deeper understanding of public service—one that goes beyond visibility and focuses on institutional impact.
Learning to Handle Anxiety and Uncertainty
Every UPSC aspirant encounters uncertainty.
For Tania, one of the most important lessons was learning how to manage the emotional side of preparation.
Meditation became an important tool. She also became more selective about her environment, conversations, and digital distractions.
“I stopped letting the fear of failure be the thing driving me. Once you’re no longer terrified of losing, you can actually give everything to the process.”
This shift helped her approach preparation with greater clarity and confidence.
The Message She Wants Every Aspirant to Remember
When Tania reflects on her journey today, she does not begin with ranks, services, or achievements.
Instead, she remembers the moments when she questioned herself.
She believes that the greatest challenge in competitive examinations is often not the syllabus or the competition but the limitations we place on ourselves.
Her message to aspirants is both simple and powerful:
“The biggest challenge was never the examination itself—it was overcoming the fear of failure.”
And then comes the thought that defines her outlook on life:
“When you stand at the edge of that cliff, you have two choices. You can either fall or you can fly.”
For countless UPSC aspirants facing uncertainty, those words may be the reminder they need.
Success does not always come quickly. It does not always arrive through a straight path. Sometimes it emerges after failed attempts, difficult decisions, and long periods of doubt.
