Aarushi Mishra’s UPSC Journey: A Saga of Perseverance, Self-Discovery, and Triumph
Aarushi Mishra, an officer in the Indian Forest Service (IFS), embarked on a challenging and rewarding journey that spanned from 2014 to 2020. Her initial fascination with UPSC stemmed from an admiration of its prestige and impact.
IIT and the Path to UPSC
After completing her schooling, Aarushi pursued IIT preparation in Kota. However, the intense competition and academic pressure proved to be overwhelming. Aarushi grappled with self-doubt and realized that her capabilities may not be as exceptional as she had believed.
Arrival in Delhi and UPSC Immersions
In 2014, Aarushi moved to Delhi to begin her UPSC preparation. She immersed herself in the world of coaching, studying, and test-taking. However, her overly simplistic approach and lack of comprehensive research resulted in her initial failure in the prelims exam.
Disillusionment and Ego Shattering
The realization that Aarushi’s superficial understanding of UPSC had led her astray was a major blow to her ego. She had inflated her expectations and failed to truly prepare for the complexity of the exam.
Reinvention and Resilience
Undeterred, Aarushi vowed to improve her strategy and delve deeper into the subject matter. She spent countless hours studying, making notes, and practicing test papers. She also expanded her knowledge beyond the prescribed syllabus.
Incremental Progress and the Power of Hope
Aarushi’s third attempt saw a marked improvement in her prelims score. Emboldened by this progress, she prepared meticulously for the mains exam. However, her efforts still fell short of securing a place in the civil service.
Broadening Horizons and Identity Crisis
As Aarushi’s UPSC journey continued, she realized that there were other services equally important to the IFS. She began exploring these options, including UPPSC, MPPSC, and Rajasthan PCS. The constant search for opportunities and the realization of her limited self-image led to an identity crisis.
The Pressure Mounts
With each passing attempt, the pressure mounted on Aarushi. Financial constraints, societal expectations, and self-doubt weighed heavily on her mind. She struggled to maintain a positive outlook and motivation.
A Turning Point: Forest Service Mains
In 2018, Aarushi received a life-changing opportunity to appear for the Forest Service Mains exam. With only two months of preparation, she dedicated herself to rigorous study. She read voraciously, solved papers, and made detailed notes. If you want to see UPSC Calendar 2025 and If you want information related to civil services then visit Josh Talks website.
Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Success
Despite her lack of confidence, Aarushi appeared for the exam and gave it her all. To her surprise, she passed the mains exam and was selected for the interview. In February 2019, she was officially selected to the IFS.
Reflection on the Journey
Looking back on her journey, Aarushi recognized that it had been both a transformative and humbling experience. She learned the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the power of hard work. She also realized the need to challenge societal expectations and create a genuine identity for herself.
Conclusion
Aarushi’s UPSC journey is a testament to the human capacity for growth and resilience. It requires unwavering determination, resilience, and a willingness to confront one’s weaknesses and limitations. Yet, for those who are willing to embrace the challenges, it offers the opportunity for personal growth, professional achievement, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to society.