In the quest to define success, some argue that it’s simply reaching a predetermined goal. Yet, they often overlook the significance of the journey itself. True success lies not just in achieving a goal, but in the dedication, honesty, and perseverance displayed throughout the journey.
The story of Jatin Babu S from Chennai, who cracked the Indian Forest Services (IFS) exam this year, epitomizes eight years of unwavering perseverance, willpower, family support, hard work, and above all, the essence of his journey.
In the tumultuous currents of life’s uncertainties, Jatin’s journey through the intricate maze of UPSC exams stands as a tribute to resilience and resolute determination. From the bustling streets of Chennai to the academic halls of Anna University, his path was paved with dreams as he embarked on his quest for success.
Through years of dedication and relentless perseverance, Jatin’s journey unfolded, marked by the ups and downs of the Civil Services exams. From the exhilarating highs of clearing prelims to the crushing lows of narrowly missing the mark, each step forward was embraced with echoes of past trials and boundless potential.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Jatin shared the saga of his inspiring journey.
SUCCESS AFTER 7 YEARS OF FAILURE: JOURNEY SO FAR
After graduating in 2015, Jatin worked for nearly two years before leaving his job to start preparing for the Civil Services exams at the end of 2016. Over the years, he made six attempts at the UPSC CSE and IFS exams combined, impressively clearing the prelims each time. Overall, he sat for five CSE mains, three IFS mains, and two interviews each for CSE and IFS.
In his first attempt at the UPSC in 2017, Jatin passed the prelims but couldn’t clear the mains. The same thing happened in his next two attempts. In 2020, he reached the interview round of the CSE, but unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the final list.
In 2021, Jatin focused solely on the UPSC IFS exam. He passed the prelims and mains, reaching the interview round, but narrowly missed making it through again.
Continuous failures from 2017, especially by such close margins, and having no proper Plan B, left Jatin heartbroken. He was very disheartened and fed up with the exam process. Amidst this hopelessness, he decided to change his strategy and took a year off.
After a year-long break, Jatin appeared for the UPSC exams again in 2023. He reached the interview round for both the CSE and IFS exams. While he did not make the final list for the CSE, he finally cracked the IFS exam, securing an All India Rank of 27.
Despite coming from a lower-middle-class family, Jatin was given complete freedom to pursue his career aspirations. He said, “My parents, though not well-versed in the Civil Services exams, fully supported me through my years of setbacks. They placed unwavering trust in me and never pressured me, going beyond their means to support me financially and in every other way.”
MISTAKES HE MADE
Though he did not clear the CSE, Jatin believes that for the IFS, having concise and well-organized notes, thorough revision, and consistent writing practice were key to his success this year. With such notes, he was able to easily review everything the day before the exam. His answers this year were better structured, with proper introductions, bodies, and conclusions, tailored to the questions asked.
He said, “We call this vicious cycle the UPSC exam process, as it spans an entire year and can entrap you for long periods. Being stuck in this process leaves little room to consider other exams or opportunities. As a result, I was unable to pursue other options and it became a very difficult journey for me, especially since I had been preparing for so long without a proper Plan B.”
“Moreover, stress builds up over the years if you don’t have a clear career path. Watching my peers achieve things for themselves and society while I was still preparing was disheartening. However, my family was very supportive throughout this challenging time,” he added.
BACKGROUND
Jatin hails from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His father is a retired government servant, and his mother is a homemaker. He has an elder sister who is an engineer.
He completed his basic schooling up to the 12th grade at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Chennai. In 2015, he graduated with a degree in Material Science Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, at Anna University. After graduation, he worked for almost two years in a company until 2016.
UPSC PREPARATIONS
Jatin solely relied on self-study for his preparation, joining coaching only for his optional subject test papers and a few basic courses through a state government scheme.
His strategy focused on three key aspects: understanding previous years’ questions (PYQs), writing practice, and making short notes.
He solved as many PYQs as possible to gain a better understanding of the exams and enrich his content. Based on this, he also prepared concise notes.
One of the challenges Jatin faced in the mains was his slow writing speed, which often prevented him from completing the papers. To address this, he practiced extensively this year. Although he still couldn’t complete the paper, his performance was comparatively better.
Jatin’s optional subjects were Sociology for the CSE, and Forestry and Geology for the IFS.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Jatin’s interview was short, lasting only about 15 minutes, and was quite unconventional. He was asked a range of questions from his background to the current scenario and the tribes of Tamil Nadu.
One board member asked him about specific tree species found in Tamil Nadu. He was also questioned about various types of documentaries related to the environment.
Jatin had a deep and interesting discussion with a board member about Tamil Nadu’s tribes, such as the Toda and Irula. They talked about the living conditions and culture of these tribes. Jatin knew that the Irula are primarily snake catchers and, despite having only bookish knowledge on these tribes, he still managed to have a good discussion with the board.
Additionally, he was asked how he would relate Forestry and Geology. Another member inquired about how he would use his graduation knowledge in forest management.
He remarked, “It was a short interview, and the questions asked by the members were quite different, so I couldn’t really judge my performance.”
MESSAGE
Giving a message to aspirants, Jatin said, “Aspirants need to have complete dedication to the process. Be honest with yourself and maintain consistency. If you do these things, in the end, it will be a fruitful journey.”
“One thing to keep in mind is that this is a long journey, and most aspirants do not crack it in the first or second attempt. After a certain time, it is better to have a proper Plan B,” he added.
FUTURE AIMS
Jatin is still pursuing the UPSC CSE and is appearing for UPSC CSE-24 this year. He said, “I will certainly go for CSE. In my IFS job, I will work with honesty. I have aspired to this for a long time, so I understand the process well. I will do my job diligently and strive to reach everyone.”
