When aspirants embark on their UPSC journey, numerous inspiring stories emerge. These narratives serve as a source of motivation for aspiring UPSC candidates. Hence, in this blog, we present the story of Vatsalya Kumar. Originally hailing from Hathras village in Chandanpura, Vatsalya currently serves as an assistant director at DRDO. However, his journey to this position was paved with immense hard work and dedication, propelling him to his current achievements.
He experienced many things in school.
Vatsalya’s father served in the police force, resulting in frequent transfers that led Vatsalya to spend her entire childhood in Ghaziabad. She attended one of the top English-medium schools of her time, where speaking English was mandatory. Failure to do so incurred a fine of 50 paise. Initially, Vatsalya struggled with English as her early education was in a village school. Consequently, she spoke very little in school to avoid fines. Additionally, Vatsalya developed a keen interest in sports during her school days. Following her schooling, Vatsalya pursued engineering and secured a job at a multinational company. However, her family’s preference for a government job persisted, leading to constant comparisons with other children. Determined to meet her family’s expectations, Vatsalya resolved to pursue a government job and committed herself to working hard for it.
The UPSC syllabus is like an ocean.
After completing engineering and considering his family’s aspirations, Vatsalya resolved to pursue the UPSC exam. However, upon starting his preparation, Vatsalya was taken aback. He realized that he was merely swimming in a pool, whereas UPSC was an ocean with no visible shore in sight. Despite the daunting challenge, Vatsalya remained determined to give his best effort. He learned about the CAPF exam and decided to attempt it, feeling confident in his abilities. Unfortunately, Vatsalya faced disappointment when he failed to clear the exam. This setback marked the most significant turning point in his life.
A big change in preparation
After months of rigorous preparation, Vatsalya sat for the CAPF exam only to find out that he did not clear it. This failure served as a significant turning point in Vatsalya’s life. Determined to improve, he resolved to adopt a minimalist lifestyle and focus solely on diligent preparation. To achieve this, he significantly reduced his circle of friends and simplified his daily routine, opting to have khichdi for dinner regularly. In an effort to save time, Vatsalya even shaved his head to eliminate the need for hair care. He selected a few outfits and wore them consistently during his preparation period, allowing him to channel his mind solely towards studying. With renewed determination, Vatsalya set his sights on cracking both the CAPF and UPSC exams.
To achieve this, he attempted the CAPF exam again. While he successfully passed the written exam this time, Vatsalya encountered a significant hurdle during the physical tests. Having
focused on his studies for many months, Vatsalya’s weight had increased to around 85 kg, far exceeding the required weight limit of 73 kg for the physical tests. Determined to overcome this obstacle, Vatsalya devised a rigorous 40-day routine comprising exercise and running alongside his continued studies. Eventually, he successfully cleared the CAPF exam. While this accomplishment brought joy to everyone, Vatsalya remained focused on his ultimate goal: cracking the UPSC exam. With unwavering determination, he resumed his preparations for the UPSC exam.
Cleared UPSC in first attempt
Many aspirants aspire to become officers by qualifying for the UPSC exam. However, achieving success on the first attempt is considered a remarkable feat. Vatsalya took the UPSC exam in 2014, and remarkably, he cleared the prelims, mains, and interview in his very first attempt. During the interview, Vatsalya found himself unable to answer more than half of the questions posed to him. However, he exuded confidence in responding to the remaining questions. Despite this, Vatsalya’s performance secured his selection in the first attempt, and he was assigned to the AFHQ service.
Master the art of which people boast: Vatsalya.
Reflecting on his journey, Vatsalya emphasizes the importance of wholehearted dedication in aspirants’ preparation for the UPSC exam. He suggests that aspirants should be willing to make necessary adjustments and changes to advance in their lives. Additionally, drawing from his experience, Vatsalya emphasizes the significance of mastering the skills and knowledge that others take pride in. According to him, this approach ensures continuous progress and earns one recognition and respect. Watch Talk: UPSC Interview, 25 सवाल, कोई जवाब नह फ़र भी Selected
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