Success in the UPSC CSE is like chasing a moving target – unpredictable and challenging. Kavya YS, hailing from Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, had long dreamed of becoming an IAS officer. However, without proper guidance, she initially hesitated to dive into preparation, spending four years in a tech job. Despite reaching the interview stage in 2019 after her first attempt in 2017, she faced disappointment by not clearing the prelims again. Exhausting her attempts, she nearly abandoned her dream. Yet, with unwavering support from her family and mentors, she mustered the courage to give it another shot. This time, she shifted her focus to the UPSC Indian Forest Services exam, where her dedication bore fruit, securing an impressive All India Rank of 7.
During an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, she says, “Passing the IFS prelims filled me with hope for joining the service. As I tackled the Mains with confidence, I anticipated a decent rank, but being among the top 10 was beyond my wildest dreams. This achievement has reinforced my belief that ‘God’s plans are always superior’”.
MOTHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY INSPIRATION
Ms. Kavya, hailing from the village of V Yaradakere in Chikmagalur, Karnataka, received her early education at the village school up to the 7th grade. She later relocated to a nearby city to complete her 10th grade. Her father works as a farmer, while her mother manages a small grocery shop in the village. Despite her mother’s education only up to the 5th grade, she has always been financially independent and empowered to make her own decisions.
The proud daughter, Ms. Kavya, reflects, ‘No one taught her this, but she’s always been decisive. My father consistently supported her, transforming our home environment. It was my mother who instilled in me the importance of independence before marriage. Our entire family, not just my mother, encouraged us and other girls to aspire to lofty goals. Their unwavering support has been my strength throughout the past six to seven years.”
After completing her 11th and 12th at the residential Taralabalu Mata School in Sirigere, Chitradurga, Kavya moved to Bengaluru to pursue a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication. Although she always harbored aspirations for the Civil Services, she studied sporadically due to a lack of guidance. After graduation, she worked for four years before a coaching center opened near her residence in 2017, offering guidance specifically for prelims. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she attended weekend classes and found valuable mentors. Despite her efforts, she did not clear the prelims in her first attempt. However, in the same year, she successfully passed the free coaching exam conducted by the Karnataka government and secured admission to Vajiram and Ravi in Delhi for further preparation.
THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE
She made the bold decision to leave her job and commit to full-time preparation. Despite her efforts, she faced disappointment in 2018 when she did not clear the prelims. Undeterred, she continued her coaching and dedicated herself to preparation. Finally, in 2019, after completing her coaching and feeling confident in her preparation, she advanced to the interview stage. Though hopeful for a favorable outcome, she ultimately did not secure a rank. Subsequently, she persisted with three more attempts in 2020, 2021, and 2022, yet struggled to clear the prelims. Despite her engineering background, she encountered difficulties in the CSAT exam in 2022. Initially hesitant due to unawareness and later due to lack of confidence, she did not opt for the IFS in her initial attempts, as its pre-cutoff is higher. Despite applying for both exams from 2020 to 2022, success eluded her.
DEALING WITH MENTAL STRESS
The series of setbacks took a toll on her mental well-being, leaving her feeling constantly stressed and unable to relax. Despite thorough preparation, she couldn’t shake off the “Fear of Failure” as she entered the examination hall. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Many friends who were on the preparation journey with me began to clear the exam. Even my roommate succeeded in 2019. While I was genuinely happy for her, it inevitably stirred up feelings of insecurity within me.”
In 2022, after exhausting all her attempts in the CSE, she made the difficult decision to end her journey and return to her former job. However, her former manager advised her to give it one more shot before giving up entirely, igniting a spark of hope within her. Encouraged by this advice, she returned, seeking solace in Vipassana meditation to heal mentally. With a renewed sense of calmness, she decided to diversify her exam options, applying for NABARD, SSC, and IFS. This time, she approached the exams with full determination. Overcoming the significant hurdle of clearing the IFS prelims, which have higher standards than the CSE, she found herself unstoppable. Advancing to the interview stage, she achieved a remarkable feat, securing an impressive rank of 7 in the UPSC IFS 2023 examination.
GETTING THE HANG OF PRELIMS
“Prelims had always posed a challenge for me, as it does for many aspirants,” Ms. Kavya reflected. “It took me a while to grasp the right approach,” she added. “Luckily, I had support from my cousin, who had cleared the IFS exam, and a friend. We would practice together, solving papers and discussing our methods. Their guidance helped me understand where I was going wrong and how to improve.”
“When it came to CSAT, even with an engineering background, I faced hurdles,” Ms. Kavya admitted. “The questions are indeed challenging, but CSAT is more of a mental game. Many aspirants, including myself, lose sleep the night before the exam. By the time you tackle CSAT in the afternoon, exhaustion sets in, and your ability to solve problems diminishes. Moreover, it’s common for students like me to get stuck on a single question, which is a mistake,” she explained.
Ms. Kavya decided to change her approach. “I shifted my focus to my strengths and began by solving the easier questions first. This allowed me to tackle around 43-45 questions. With a calm and stress-free mindset, this strategy led to my success in the Prelims and ultimately secured my rank.”
ON IFS
Ms. Kavya initially aspired to become an IAS officer, but as she delved deeper into the realm of civil services, her perspective evolved. She came to realize that any service would provide her with the platform to contribute, directly or indirectly, to society and the nation. Firm in her belief that honesty and efficiency can resolve 70% of societal issues, she embraced the opportunity to serve. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed, “I am thrilled to have joined the IFS. With climate change no longer just a theory but a stark reality, I am grateful for the chance to work towards conserving ecology and wildlife, ultimately playing a role in safeguarding our planet.”
