How Darshan Overcame 4 Prelims Failure to get into IRS while Being a Working Professional

Inspiring Journey of Darshan Priyadarshi: From Bank Employee to IRS Officer

Darshan Priyadarshi's Journey

Darshan Priyadarshi's journey to becoming an IRS officer from not being able to clear the Prelims for four consecutive years is nothing short of an inspiring story. His commitment, perseverance, and unwavering belief in his abilities led him to finally achieve his goal. Working as a Probationary Officer in a bank while preparing for the civil service examination was a significant challenge, but Darshan turned this adversity into an advantage.

Stumbling Block 1: Optional Selection

One of the initial hurdles Darshan faced was deciding on the optional subject for the civil service examination. He was confused between chemistry, which was related to his academic background, and other conventional scoring subjects. After thorough analysis and consideration, Darshan decided to choose Gujarati Literature as his optional. He emphasizes the importance of comfort, understandability, course material, and past year scoring patterns while making this critical decision.

The Prelims: A Tough Nut to Crack

The Prelims stage was particularly challenging for Darshan. Despite his best efforts, he failed to clear it for four consecutive years from 2013 to 2016. This was a significant setback, but Darshan was determined to turn this around. He identified the key areas that needed improvement, including time management and persistence. Balancing his full-time job at the bank with his preparation was a significant challenge, but Darshan managed to make it work with the support of his family.

Keys to Success

Time Management

Darshan's daily routine was meticulously planned to maximize his study time. His workday at the bank started at 10 am, and he made sure to complete his basic brushing up and newspaper reading by 9 pm. His detailed study sessions began at 3 am and lasted until 9 am. This strict schedule allowed him to balance his job, family life, and preparation effectively.

Persistence and Positivity

Every time Darshan checked his Prelims results, the disappointment was palpable. However, he knew that he needed to keep going. He learned from each failure and came back stronger. In 2016, despite clearing the GS Prelims paper 1, he failed to clear the CSAT due to his stress and anxiety. This experience taught him the importance of taking exams one step at a time and avoiding the temptation to dwell on previous results.

Guidance and Materials

After the Prelims, Darshan consolidated his materials and continued to revise them. He relied on standard sources like Mrunal.org and Vision IAS, along with the guidance of seniors who had already made it to the civil service. This streamlined his preparations and helped him approach the Mains with confidence.

Prelims Book List

Darshan's extensive book list covered a wide range of subjects. For Ancient and Medieval History, he used materials like the Lucent GK Book, Civil Services Chronicle, and the TN Board book. For Art and Culture, he relied on Nitin Singhania notes and the TN Board book. Modern India was covered using Bipin Chandra's notes, Lucent's 40 pages, Spectrum tables, and Bipin Chandra's book. For Geography, he used NCERT textbooks, GC Leong's books, Vajiram Yellow Book, and his own notes. Map work was covered using Prem Patel's India map, the Oxford Atlas, and other resources. Environment and Economy were covered using relevant books, while Polity, Science, and Current Affairs were covered using a combination of books and newspapers.

Conclusion

Darshan's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, smart work, optimism, and the ability to learn from failures. His story encourages all aspirants who face setbacks and demotivation. With sheer determination and the right strategy, anyone can achieve their goals. Darshan's success serves as an inspiration for everyone aiming to make it to the civil service. All the best to all aspirants!