“You don’t need a magical intellect to clear the Civil Services. You need a system.” – That one sentence captures the essence of IAS officer Divya Mittal’s first book, “The Crafted Genius: Step-By-Step Blueprint for Cracking UPSC Civil Services Examination.”
At a time when lakhs of aspirants chase the dream of becoming civil servants, often overwhelmed by conflicting advice, endless study material, and mounting pressure, the 2013-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre has attempted to provide something many candidates desperately seek – a clear, practical, and structured roadmap.
Every year, some of the country’s brightest minds appear for the UPSC Civil Services Examination with the hope of serving the nation and transforming lives. Yet talent alone rarely guarantees success. Without a disciplined approach, the right strategy, and emotional resilience, many aspirants find themselves lost in the uncertainty of one of the world’s toughest competitive examinations. The Crafted Genius aims to bridge that gap.
Unlike conventional preparation books that focus only on notes or subject matter, Ms Mittal’s book takes a holistic approach. It not only explains what to study but, more importantly, how to study, how to think, how to manage emotions, and how to sustain the discipline needed for a long and unpredictable journey. Beginning with building the right habits in school and college and extending all the way to the UPSC Personality Test, the book attempts to become a mentor that stays with aspirants throughout their preparation.
Indian Masterminds spoke to IAS Mittal, currently serving as Special Secretary in the Revenue Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to understand what inspired her to write the book, what makes it different, and how it can transform the preparation journey of UPSC aspirants.
How the Idea for the Book Was Born
For IAS Mittal, the motivation behind writing the book came directly from years of interacting with students across different stages of preparation.
During the conversation, she recalled how aspirants repeatedly approached her with similar doubts—whether they were beginners, repeat candidates, or even school and college students planning their future.
“Throughout my service life, a lot of students used to come to me. Some had just started preparing, some had already given one or two attempts, while many school and college students simply wanted to know how they should begin,” she told Indian Masterminds.
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The questions, she says, rarely changed.
“They would ask me, ‘Ma’am, how should we prepare? Which books should we read? Where do we start? We don’t feel like studying. How do we stay focused? How do we remain motivated?'”
She has conducted numerous guidance sessions, including several in Deoria, where aspirants gathered physically to seek direction.
“We tried to guide as many students as possible, but it is simply not possible to give individual time to everyone. That’s when I felt whatever I had learnt over the years could genuinely help students. Writing a book became the best way to reach thousands of aspirants at once.”
Writing, however, was not easy.
Balancing a demanding administrative career with personal responsibilities, she wrote the manuscript over nearly one-and-a-half years.
“Whenever I got some time, I wrote a little. It took more than a year and a half because of work, but eventually I was able to complete it.”
Not a Book of Notes, But a Complete Strategy Manual
One thing Ms Mittal makes clear is that The Crafted Genius is not another compilation of notes or model answers.
Instead, it is designed as a complete strategy book. “This is not a notebook. I have not filled it with answers or notes. The book is about strategy. It explains what you should do and how you should prepare.”
According to her, the biggest challenge for fresh aspirants is confusion during the initial phase.
Some spend weeks making newspaper notes, others get buried under government reports, while many keep changing resources without completing anything.
To solve this problem, one entire chapter focuses on what she calls the ‘First 60 Days – The Launch Phase.’
“When preparation begins, that is when students are the most confused. My attempt was to make everything clear right from the beginning,” she added.
Understanding What UPSC Is Really Testing
Rather than merely teaching subjects, the book first explains what the Civil Services Examination is actually designed to assess.
It systematically breaks down every stage of preparation – from Prelims to Mains and finally the Personality Test.
Ms Mittal explains that many aspirants misunderstand the nature of the examination itself.
For the Preliminary Examination, she discusses not only preparation techniques but also the art of elimination.
“Many students guess answers but they don’t eliminate options strategically. In Prelims, you rarely know every answer with complete certainty. The ability to eliminate intelligently becomes extremely important.”
The book explains:
- How to prepare for the Preliminary Examination
- Strategic elimination techniques
- Understanding different question patterns
- Attempt strategy during the examination
- Planning preparation efficiently
Decoding Mains, Essay and the Personality Test
The second major focus is the Mains Examination.
The book explains answer writing, subject preparation, and how aspirants should understand the purpose behind each paper rather than simply memorising information.
Special attention has been given to Essay writing.
According to IAS Mittal, many candidates struggle with philosophical essays because they overcomplicate them.
“Nowadays philosophical essays are common. Many students start thinking only about philosophy, whereas that is not the correct approach. The book explains how to think, structure and write such essays.”
The interview stage receives equally detailed treatment.
Rather than viewing it as a test of facts, she explains it as an assessment of personality.
“Many students ask me how they can develop their personality. The interview is an art. It is not about hanging facts before the board. Your knowledge has already been tested in Mains. The interview is testing something different.”
The book therefore guides aspirants on developing confidence, communication, personality, and overall administrative temperament.
A Rare Focus on School and College Students
One of the unique aspects of The Crafted Genius is that it begins much before UPSC preparation actually starts.
IAS Mittal believes students in school and college often waste valuable years because they are unaware of how to build the right foundation.
“I have written a dedicated chapter for school and college students. Even if you are not preparing yet but dream of becoming an IAS officer one day, there are certain habits you should start developing now.”
The book discusses:
- Active reading habits
- Building an administrative mindset
- Developing analytical thinking
- Choosing the right direction early
- Preparing gradually instead of rushing later
The Psychological Battle Nobody Talks About
According to IAS Mittal, UPSC preparation is not merely an academic challenge.
It is equally a psychological one. The examination often leaves aspirants isolated, anxious and emotionally exhausted.
Recognising this reality, a significant portion of the book focuses on mental resilience. “The exam can become very lonely. So I have discussed how to manage stress, stay focused and remain motivated throughout the journey.”
The book also explores:
- Time management
- Planning daily schedules
- Avoiding distractions
- Maintaining consistency
- Protecting mental health
- Building emotional resilience
She believes many students lose precious time not because they are lazy, but because they remain confused about what to study.
“I have seen students spend the entire day deciding what they should study. They keep switching from one subject to another and eventually realise they have not studied anything.”
The book therefore teaches readers how to structure an entire day for maximum productivity.
Lessons Drawn From Her Own Journey
One of the book’s strongest aspects is that it draws heavily from Divya Mittal’s own experiences. She openly discusses both her strengths and shortcomings during preparation.
“I have shared many experiences from my own student life—what I did right, what mistakes I made and what I lacked.”
She believes aspirants often assume successful candidates were naturally gifted.
Her own story, she says, proves otherwise. “I don’t think I was naturally best suited for this examination. I had my own shortcomings. I had to overcome them. That’s why I feel every student is like me. If I could deal with these issues through discipline, others can too.”
‘This Should Be the First Book Every Aspirant Reads’
Asked how she would describe The Crafted Genius, IAS Mittal calls it a guide that should accompany aspirants throughout their UPSC journey.
“This is the first book every aspirant should read before beginning preparation.” She adds, “It is a guide and mentor that stays with you throughout your UPSC journey.”
What’s Inside The Crafted Genius
Spread across 20 chapters, the book presents a structured blueprint covering every important aspect of Civil Services preparation.
Among its major highlights are:
- Understanding what UPSC is actually testing.
- A structured 60-day launch plan to begin preparation.
- Subject-wise preparation strategies.
- Detailed guidance for Prelims.
- Strategic elimination techniques.
- CSAT preparation.
- High-scoring Mains answer writing.
- General Studies Papers I to IV.
- Ethics preparation.
- Essay writing strategy.
- Choosing the right Optional subject.
- Personality Test preparation.
- A roadmap for school and college students.
- Bridging comprehension gaps.
- Building an “administrative mindset.”
- Creating the “Life’s Resume” required for interviews.
- Time management systems.
- Focus-building techniques.
- Managing stress and protecting mental health.
- Developing discipline, consistency and long-term motivation.
Rather than functioning as a traditional guidebook, The Crafted Genius positions itself as a complete operating system for the entire UPSC journey—from the very first day of preparation until the final interview.
A Journey That Gives the Book Its Credibility
The advice in the book comes from someone who has walked the journey herself.
Ms Mittal completed her B.Tech from IIT Delhi and MBA from IIM Bangalore, receiving the prestigious Director’s Certificate of Merit at both institutions for academic excellence.
She then began a successful corporate career in London as an Exotic Derivatives Trader with J.P. Morgan.
Despite a promising international career, she chose to return to India in pursuit of public service.
Preparing entirely through self-study, she achieved the rare distinction of clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination three consecutive times.
She first secured the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), followed by the Indian Police Service (IPS), and finally entered the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after securing All India Rank 68 in the 2012 Civil Services Examination.
Her exceptional performance during IAS training earned her the prestigious Ashok Bambawale Award, presented to the most outstanding IAS trainee of the batch.
An Officer Who Chose Empathy Over Authority
Over the past thirteen years, Ms Mittal has built a reputation for community-driven governance.
As District Magistrate of Mirzapur, she led a nine-month campaign that ended 75 years of water scarcity in the hilltop village of Lahuriya Deh, ensuring piped drinking water reached every household.
Later, as District Magistrate of Deoria, she launched the widely appreciated ‘Kabza Mukti’ campaign.
Rather than relying solely on demolition drives, she appealed directly to citizens through a personal video message, encouraging voluntary removal of illegal encroachments.
The campaign resulted in residents themselves removing more than 890 encroachments peacefully.
Her administration also granted legal land ownership to 200 landless Musahar families, providing both dignity and legal identity.
Reflecting on such moments, she has often said she never felt like an officer but rather a humble witness to something much bigger than herself.
Her work has earned Certificates of Appreciation from both the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and the Cabinet Secretary of India.
Beyond Administration: A Mentor to Thousands
Outside government service, IAS Mittal has emerged as one of the country’s most followed mentors for young aspirants.
Across social media platforms, she has built a community of more than four lakh followers, regularly sharing insights on discipline, emotional resilience, productivity, parenting, work-life balance and personal growth.
Balancing the demanding responsibilities of public service with her role as a wife and mother of two daughters, she continues to inspire aspirants far beyond the examination hall.
A Blueprint Built on Discipline, Not Genius
The central message running through The Crafted Genius is simple yet powerful.
Success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination is not reserved for a select few born with extraordinary intelligence.
It belongs to those willing to build disciplined habits, follow a structured system and remain consistent over time.
As IAS Divya Mittal sums it up – “Genius is not born. It is built.”
And perhaps that is what makes The Crafted Genius different from countless preparation guides already available. It does not promise shortcuts or miraculous success. Instead, it offers something far more realistic—and far more valuable—a proven framework built from personal experience, disciplined self-study, repeated success and years of mentoring thousands of aspirants.
For every student standing at the beginning of the UPSC journey—or somewhere in the middle, feeling lost—this book seeks to replace uncertainty with clarity, anxiety with confidence, and ambition with a practical roadmap. As its final message reminds readers: turn the page, trust the process, and craft your destiny.
