Kanpur’s Chaitanya Awasthi’s struggle was double as he walked on the path towards his UPSC goal. He had to fight emotional trauma to stay on track. His father’s untimely death sent him spiralling down on an emotional roller-coaster ride.
In May, 2021, he was planning to go to Delhi for civil services preparation as it was his father’s dream to see him as an IAS officer. But, Covid-19 took his father’s life and left his family in shock. Chaitanya’s plan came to a standstill even before it started. He was unable to digest this fact and went into a depression-like phase. But, his mother who was in trauma too, managed to console him and instil in him the thought that he has to become his father’s hero by fulfilling his dream.
Chaitanya took it up as a challenge and placing his father’s framed photo on his study table, started preparing for UPSC in full swing. With just 11 months of preparation at home, he cracked UPSC CSE-2022 in his first attempt with AIR-37. He achieved this achievement in very adverse circumstances and with lack of resources. This is why he considered his first attempt as his last.
DEALING WITH TRAUMA
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Chaitanya said, “I had planned a lot with my father. Saw many dreams with him. But when, he left at the beginning of my journey, I went into emotional trauma. If my mother was not there, I might not have been able to recover from it. It was very much a challenging journey.”
While Chaitanya was doing his Law, his father Shant Sharan Awasthi died of Covid-19. He was a well known journalist and had served as state head in newspapers. That is why Chaitanya had seen bureaucrats from close quarters from his childhood.
When he was in class 10, his father discussed in detail with him about what to do next and how. “My father wanted to see me as IAS. Perhaps, that is why, I was so clear about my career prospects.”
However, his father’s death left in its wake darkness all around in his family. Chaitanya said that he had to sit for an another form of examination, a one that was, hitherto, unknown to him.
“When a father is there, he protects you from society’s pressures, expectations, and everything that bothers you in the world. With my father gone, I saw another form of exam. Earlier, I used to think that there is no other exam like UPSC that tests you physically and mentally. But, after the loss of my father, I saw a period of pressure and social expectations that was very challenging. My mother pulled me out of it. It is because of her that I am here today.”
His mother Pratima Awasthi took special care of him during the time he went through a low phase, and in the process, also taught him that whatever he does, he must do so honestly and sincerely.
TREATING STUDIES AS JOB
Chaitanya hails from Kanpur, UP. He has two sisters. His early education was done in Ranchi. He did his 10th and 12th from Swaraj India Public School Kanpur in ICSC Board. Then he went to Kolkata after clearing CLAT and completed his BA LLB Honors degree from National Law University in 2021. After that, he started preparing for UPSC.
He said, “My father used to tell us to consider our studies as jobs, and I did the same. I used to study for 8 to 10 hours every day. My mother taught me to be optimistic always and my two sisters supported me at all times. After the result, I hugged my mother and cried for hours.”
OPERATION UPSC
He did all his preparation at home. His sister enrolled him on an online coaching, where he studied for some months from home. His strategy was target based and disciplined. He broke up the syllabus into 11 parts and set his targets month wise. Thereafter, he broke his monthly targets into weekly targets. He also broke day routine into three parts and studied accordingly.
His optional was Law. For this, he focused on previous year’s questions papers, test series and many revisions. He started Mains answer-writing practice from the beginning of his preparation.
INTERVIEW CHALLENGE
His interview was very cordial. He was asked more questions from his DAF and optional subject. He was also asked questions about Kanpur.
He was also asked about Indian biopics as watching movie is his hobby. “Why are biopic movie being made?”, was a question put to him.
Then there were many questions from Law: What are the problems in same sex marriage? Why government is not in favour of such marriage? How to improve the judicial system for the poor? Is law equal for poor? Why are most of the under-trial prisoners in jail?
TIPS TO ASPIRANTS
Giving suggestions for aspirants, he said that they should be clear as to why they want to go into civil services.
“Never fall prey to social pressure. Be positive and have patience. Fight your battle with strong willpower. When you succeed, don’t stop or enjoy too long. Start planning for the next big thing.”
