When Ayush Jain saw his name in the UPSC Civil Services 2024 final list, he was flooded with relief and disbelief. After four years of relentless effort, near-misses, and tough self-reflection, he had finally cracked one of India’s toughest exams, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 344.

But his journey to this success didn’t begin with a clear goal of joining the civil services. In fact, it started with something unexpected — a delayed job offer.

A detour that changed his life

After completing his engineering degree, Ayush secured a college placement, but a delay in the onboarding process left him with unexpected free time. He used this window to explore his long-standing interests more deeply — reading newspapers, tracking international affairs, and participating in quizzes.

As he began reading NCERTs and books like Laxmikanth for Polity, he realised how closely his interests aligned with the subjects covered in the civil services exam. A mock test at a local coaching centre further validated his potential when he secured a high rank, giving him the confidence to take the plunge into UPSC preparation.

The decision to pursue UPSC, however, wasn’t immediate.

Hailing from the Agar-Malwa district in Madhya Pradesh, Ayush first heard about the exam during college. He recalls being inspired by civil servants who visited the campus and shared their journeys. “Their stories left a lasting impression,” he says.

Still, the thought of attempting UPSC remained distant.

“I never considered it seriously during graduation. I hadn’t dared to dream of a career in the civil services. But my mock test results gave me the confidence to give it a........

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