IPS Officer Shares Mental Health Tips for Final UPSC Attempt

After four unsuccessful attempts at India's notoriously difficult civil service exam, IPS officer Shubham T knew something had to change. Instead of adding more study hours, he started protecting his mental health first.

Shubham belongs to the 2021 IPS batch and understands the crushing pressure of a final attempt. The UPSC exam allows only six tries, making the last one particularly stressful for thousands of aspirants across India.

His breakthrough came from strategic focus rather than grinding harder. Shubham dedicated 80 percent of his time to foundational subjects and only 20 percent to current affairs, rejecting the common trap of chasing every news headline.

He also built mandatory rest into his schedule, taking daily walks and listening to music even on unproductive days. One favorite song, "Give Peace a Chance" by John Lennon, later inspired an answer in his final exam about international relations.

Counseling psychologist Anita Mohan, who works with UPSC aspirants, validated his approach. She teaches students to catch spiraling negative thoughts early by asking simple questions: Is this thought absolutely true? What evidence supports it?

When anxiety strikes, Mohan recommends immediate action. Take a shower, call a friend, watch something funny, or go for a walk. These small interruptions prevent one negative thought from multiplying into paralysis.

Shubham also relied on his peer group, mostly college friends also preparing for UPSC. They shared struggles but intentionally discussed non-exam topics to avoid becoming consumed by preparation anxiety.

His advice challenges common exam culture wisdom. Rest doesn't need to be earned through productivity. Punishing yourself for bad study days only increases self-doubt and makes the next day harder.

Why This Inspires

Mental health support remains scarce in India's competitive exam culture, where millions of young people chase limited government positions under intense family and social pressure. Shubham and Mohan's public guidance normalizes seeking help and prioritizing wellbeing over relentless grinding.

Their strategies work for any high-pressure situation: identify what you can control, protect daily recovery time, catch negative spirals early, and choose supportive people wisely. Success comes from sustainable effort, not exhaustion.

Thousands of aspirants now have a roadmap that honors both ambition and mental health.

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