IFS officer Himanshu Tyagi offers practical tips for UPSC aspirants balancing full-time jobs

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination stands as one of India's most competitive tests, attracting around 10,00,000 candidates annually, with a mere 0.2 percent succeeding. 

To crack this challenging exam, aspirants invest years in rigorous preparation, often juggling with coaching classes to navigate the three-stage process comprising "IAS Prelims," "IAS Mains," and the final interview. 

The demanding study routine, involving long hours, poses a unique challenge for those concurrently holding full-time jobs.

Indian Forest Services officer (IFS) Himanshu Tyagi, who successfully cleared the UPSC exam while working, shared insightful tips on managing this dual commitment.

In a recent post, Tyagi outlined a practical schedule, advising aspirants to wake up at 3:30 am for a focused 4-hour study session. Additionally, he recommended dedicating half an hour to evening studies post-office hours, utilizing travel time for educational videos, and making the most of small breaks at work for study.

During my UPSC prep, I struggled a lot with current affairs.
-How to compile CA/ make notes/ revise? #UPSC

I cracked UPSC CSE & IFS with job, mastering CA through an effective strategy.

[Retweet to help aspirants]

Sharing detailed CA strategy for UPSC pre, mains & interview🧵

— Himanshu Tyagi IFS (@Himanshutyg_ifs) December 4, 2023

He stressed the importance of consistency, urging aspirants to follow this schedule for 1-2 years for confidence and success.

During my UPSC prep, I struggled a lot with current affairs.
-How to compile CA/ make notes/ revise? #UPSC

I cracked UPSC CSE & IFS with job, mastering CA through an effective strategy.

[Retweet to help aspirants]

Sharing detailed CA strategy for UPSC pre, mains & interview🧵

— Himanshu Tyagi IFS (@Himanshutyg_ifs) December 4, 2023

Tyagi's post garnered positive responses, with one user noting, "These tricks can really be helpful for working aspirants. Inspiring."Despite the admiration, some found the schedule "unrealistic." 

Addressing concerns, Tyagi responded to a query about exhaustion, emphasizing that waking up early taps into the morning's productivity peak, and one can adjust to this routine over a few weeks by ensuring sufficient sleep by 9-10 pm.

Acknowledging the challenges, Tyagi had previously mentioned clearing the UPSC exam while maintaining a job, highlighting personal reasons that prevented quitting. 

He encouraged aspirants to embrace their situation, emphasizing dedicated preparation. In a supportive message, he stated, "If your situation allows, give 1/2 attempts with full-time prep. If you can't quit your job for any reason, embrace it. Study when you can. I'm here to support you. UPSC."