“Just like a statue, when you carve it, you don’t just refine and beautify it with a chisel and hammer – you refine and improve yourself as an artist. You continue to shape a path for yourself. If I were to paint a vivid picture of this, that would be it.”
This is how Pawanjot Kaur, an IPoS Officer of 2021 batch, described her journey through the UPSC exams. And truly, some stories are not just about struggle or finding success – they are about discovering oneself and undergoing a life transformation. Ms. Kaur’s UPSC journey embodies exactly that.
She faced failure five times over her six-year journey, but each time, she rose stronger and finally cracked the exam in 2020. As she herself puts it, the UPSC journey is a game of relentless hard work, persistence, and perseverance – one where you keep reworking your plans, failing, and re-planning. “It’s about being a trailblazer, forging your own path.”
Indian Masterminds had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Kaur who is currently posted as the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices in Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, to gain deeper insights into her remarkable journey.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Ms. Kaur began her UPSC journey in 2015, right after graduation, and made a total of six attempts in the prestigious exam. In her first three attempts, in 2016, 2017, and 2018, she couldn’t even clear the prelims. However, in her fourth attempt, she reached the Interview stage but was not selected for the final list. Still, this result opened doors for her, as she was selected for GIFT City based on UPSC’s separate notification for it. But Ms. Kaur was determined to pursue a specific civil service, and despite the repeated setbacks, her never-give-up attitude kept her going.
In her fifth attempt, in UPSC 2020, she finally succeeded, securing an All India Rank of 332 and was selected for the Indian Postal Service (IPoS), fulfilling her childhood dream. She gave one more attempt in 2021, but did not succeed.
During this time, Ms. Kaur also taught as a guest lecturer at Delhi University for a brief period. She was selected for various other exams as well, including the Intelligence Bureau (ACIO) and SSC CGL-2017, where she joined as an Assistant Audit Officer in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) office. As an IPoS officer, she underwent training at the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy (RAKNPA), Ghaziabad, marking her fourth government job.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “My entire journey has been transformative. UPSC has played a key role in my personal growth. I gave my first attempt at 21, and it took five attempts to finally succeed. The journey from being a college student to becoming an officer has been full of challenges, but every step taught me valuable life lessons. In this process, you not only improve yourself but also develop a more positive outlook by shedding your immaturity.”
INTERVIEW TIPS
As the UPSC interviews are currently underway, Ms. Kaur offered valuable interview tips, advising candidates to focus on their academic journey. When preparing for an interview, it’s essential to focus on providing opinion-based analysis rather than merely repeating facts. Keep two key concepts in mind: how you think and who you are. These qualities will be thoroughly assessed during the interview.
She emphasized, “If you’ve studied any subject or course, be prepared at any point in life to answer even the basics.” She shared an example of being asked a fundamental question about the five heads of income tax during her interview. While it may seem simple, it’s not just about knowing the answer; it’s about how you react and handle such questions in the moment.
Ms. Kaur also stressed that the interview preparation is not something you can master in one or two months. It’s a lifelong process of developing your personality. “Your college years are especially crucial in shaping you,” she said. “The exposure you receive during this time is reflected in your Detailed Application Form (DAF), where your questions stem from. What you’ve experienced in life is key to your growth. Focus on developing your personality and never compromise on it.”
She continued, “Try to be a well-rounded individual. Be an informed and alert citizen during the interview. Your mindset is critical at this stage. It’s not about how much you know, but about how confidently you can present yourself.”
BACKGROUND
Ms. Kaur hails from Batala, Punjab. She lost her father in 1995, and since then, her mother has been her primary caretaker. As the only child, Ms. Kaur’s mother, who works in the state government, played a pivotal role in shaping her future. Her mother had a clear vision for her, ensuring that she had access to the best educational opportunities.
Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Kaur highlights, “Despite all the hardships, the liberal thinking and vision of your parents are crucial. Family plays a major role in a child’s success, and their support is necessary.”
Ms. Kaur completed her basic education up to 12th grade in her hometown. For higher studies, she moved to Delhi, where she earned a B.Com (Honors) from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce in 2015. She then pursued her Master’s degree at the Delhi School of Economics, graduating in 2017.
UPSC PREPARATION
For her UPSC preparation, Ms. Kaur joined coaching, particularly for her optional subject, Commerce and Accountancy. In the early stages, she focused primarily on understanding the syllabus and going through Previous Year Questions (PYQs). She emphasized, “First, you need to understand the syllabus, then focus on PYQs and evaluate your progress. I followed this approach and recommend the same to others.”
Ms. Kaur also stressed the importance of not glamorizing the UPSC exam, advising candidates to assess their own capabilities and work accordingly.
Reflecting on her study years, she said, “Coaching can be supplementary, but the key is self-study. During my time, coaching was popular, and I did attend it, but I knew where to focus my efforts. Initially, I didn’t have much clarity.” After her first three attempts, she returned home and dedicated herself to self-study, utilizing the resources available on the internet.
HER INTERVIEW
Her first UPSC interview went well, though she was thoroughly grilled. Lasting almost 40 minutes, she answered around 45 questions and scored 179 marks. The interview covered a range of questions, from basic concepts to factual inquiries.
In her successful 2020 interview, which lasted about 25 minutes, she scored 165 marks. The questions ranged from current affairs to her optional subject and even her hobbies.
MESSAGE
Ms. Kaur shared her message with future aspirants, saying, “I was always clear in my mind that I would pursue civil services, and that it was my destiny. My advice to all is to first be absolutely clear in your mind about whether you truly want this. Once your target is fixed, focus entirely on it, but also have one or two backup plans in place. With such single-minded determination, your success may be delayed, but it will never be denied.”
She added, “If you choose UPSC, commit to it for two to three years, without distractions or focusing on anything else.”
