Vivek Drolia’s story is an inspiration to anyone who thinks he is an ‘average’ student. Despite facing personal challenges and lacking guidance, he defied the odds to crack the UPSC exam in his fifth attempt, securing a coveted spot in the Indian Postal and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service.
CA & CS
Mr. Drolia’s early life saw a shift from Jamshedpur to the quaint town of Jhargram in West Bengal, where he did his schooling till the 8th grade. Recognizing that science wasn’t his forte, he moved to Kolkata to pursue commerce. “Science wasn’t my cup of tea,” he confessed to Indian Masterminds.
Choosing the path less travelled, the officer delved into the challenging realms of Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretaryship, while simultaneously pursuing his graduation in B. Com. This five-year journey immersed him in the intricacies of commerce, as he worked for an audit firm, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
CIVIL SERVICES
Despite his success in the corporate world, Mr. Drolia, however, yearned for a career with greater purpose. This led him to take a leap of faith, leaving his comfortable job at Goldman Sachs to pursue the challenging path of civil services.
“I thought that I have seen enough of the private sector now and cannot see any change happening in work nature. So, to take up a new challenge and evolve as a person better, I started preparing for CSE by leaving my job in 2013,” he explained.
FIVE ATTEMPTS
Transitioning from the specialized world of finance to the broad spectrum of the Civil Services Exam was not without its challenges. He described the initial phase as akin to “jumping into the ocean without having any clue of basic sociology, history, and geography.” Undeterred, Mr. Drolia persevered, gradually gaining a comprehensive understanding of the diverse subjects that the UPSC examination demanded.
His initial attempts were met with setbacks, particularly in the prelims stage. However, he refused to give up. He identified his weaknesses, including a lack of strong foundational knowledge and reliance on too many resources. He adopted a focused approach, prioritizing understanding over quantity and connecting his studies to current affairs. This shift proved pivotal, leading him to score the highest marks in India for his optional subject of Public Administration.
“Syllabus is like the boundary of UPSC; you need to know what are the defined boundaries,” he advised aspiring candidates. Shifting his focus from quantity to quality, he emphasized the significance of relying on one’s understanding rather than drowning in a sea of books.
Finally, he clinched success in the 2016 examination, securing an All India Rank of 630 in his fifth attempt. Subsequently, in 2017, he joined the Ministry of Communication under the Indian Postal and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, currently serving in Kolkata in the Department of Telecommunication.
CHALLENGES AND PLAN B
Amidst his triumphs, he faced personal challenges that added an extra layer of complexity to his journey. Financial struggles, a lack of guidance, and personal issues tested his resolve. “When you don’t have a job and you are failing in the CSE, and then you have a personal problem, which may be more than UPSC, then it becomes a tough battle,” he shared candidly.
Despite being an average student throughout his academic journey, his perseverance paid off. “Honestly, there was no plan B. Riding on two boats might be easy for some people, but I did have in my mind that I should have a plan B after plan A,” he confessed.
WISE ADVICE
Through his experience, Mr. Drolia offers valuable advice to aspiring civil servants-
Be honest with yourself: Don’t try to project an image that isn’t true. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, and focus on genuine progress.
Enjoy the process: Don’t view preparation as a chore. Find ways to make learning engaging and stimulating.
Self-belief and hard work are key: Never underestimate the power of dedicated effort and unwavering faith in your abilities.
