FEEDBACK FORMBackground: I belong to Delhi. I was born and brought up in here itself. I did my schooling from DAV Public School Dayanand Vihar. I am a graduate in electronics and electrical engineering from IIT Guwahati (Batch of 2009-2013). I had worked in Schulemberger (an oil and gas MNC) prior to coming to prepare for civil services examination. CSE 2016 was my first attempt and I scored AIR 82 with Physics as an optional.
When were you aspired to become IAS: I would say I aspired for it long back but always had this perception that only the country’s best minds make it through and thus I would never make it. But with some encouragement from my elder brother and parents I finally decided to come forth and give an attempt to this exam.
What efforts you did to achieve goal : For a start, I resigned from a well paid job to pursue this dream with my 100% attention. Also, I had to alter my habits and limit distractions too. But I can say after a while, when things picked up momentum I never felt that I was ‘sacrificing’ anything – eventually whole routine of preparation became the new normal to me. I don’t know how could I quantify or gauge my efforts but I can say whatever efforts I did put in, they were my best of my ability and with whole of my commitment.
Who supported for this task including JATF: My parents, elder brother and other family members had always been my side and at the back from the day when I came home to begin my preparation till the very end. Along with them my friends and peer group had been a constant companion too. It would have become really dull and heavy without all of them to talk, discuss and vent out all the frustration and low points all this while. I got in touch with JATF after my prelims and I can say for once and ever that it is a great intiative and well thought put in my the members to take such kind of lead. I got to learn immensely from my peers at JATF hostel and also the sense of discipline which was instilled by the overall conduct at the hostel. Also, the sporadic seminars arranged by the organization were also quite beneficial. And similarly the mock interviews as well. They were of high quality in overall temperament which is required for the final interview.
Overall how you feel after getting success: I am happy that I got what I aspired for. It was an experience in itself when I typed ‘0005053’ to search for my name in the final merit list. I can still recall that very moment. However, at the same time I found this happiness to be mixed with little excitement and anxiety for coming months.
Any message to the new aspiring students: Never underestimate yourself. The limits aren’t real. They simply exist in our own thinking. So overcome all of them to achieve what you aspire for. Just don’t make this journey too heavy and dull while you are in this phase. Try to make it as interesting and ‘light’ as possible. You will do good ultimately.