– Varun Satia, Founder-CEO, Kraftshala

Each year, lakhs of aspirants prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, driven by purpose, ambition, and the belief that this path offers a meaningful way to contribute to the nation. But when the outcome does not match the effort, and years have gone into the process, the next step is rarely obvious. What comes after a final attempt, or the decision to step away, is often accompanied by uncertainty. Not because people do not have the potential to succeed elsewhere, but because they have been made to believe that their potential begins and ends with a single exam. It does not!

Time spent preparing is not time lost

There is a widespread perception that if you have not cleared the exam, the time invested was wasted. But that belief does not hold up under scrutiny.

UPSC preparation is one of the most rigorous learning journeys. It demands discipline, focus, critical thinking, clarity of communication, and an ability to absorb and synthesize information at scale. These are capabilities that extend well beyond the confines of a specific role in civil services.

In fact, they are highly transferable to roles across industries, particularly in marketing, content, operations, public policy, business development, and research. The question, then, is not whether former aspirants can succeed elsewhere. It is whether they are given the tools, exposure, and direction to see themselves differently.

The bigger shift is in mindset

What holds people back after UPSC is not a gap in skill but in confidence.

When someone has structured their twenties around a single exam, starting over can feel like having to abandon years of work. In reality, they are reapplying the past. But that reframing takes time, and often, community.

We have worked with many such learners. And what stands out is their ability to commit deeply to a goal, to work with consistency, and to improve when given feedback. These are qualities that industry values immensely, but which the exam ecosystem often fails to recognise.

Real transformation begins with a single decision

Nilanjana had spent three years preparing for the civil services. When she decided to pursue a different path, she redirected her discipline. She joined our programme, was documenting her learning journey online since her UPSC prep, and began applying marketing concepts in real-world settings. She completed the programme with offers from reputed organisations.

Her story was about choosing a direction with intention and equipping herself with the tools to navigate it. Stories like hers illustrate a larger truth: the hardest part of starting again is deciding to stop waiting.

The job market is more open than it seems

One concern that comes up often is employability after years of preparation. Many former aspirants worry about gaps in their résumé or whether companies will question their transition.

But the job market today has evolved. Most recruiters are far more interested in capabilities than credentials. They seek initiative, adaptability, and clarity of thought. And increasingly, they are open to candidates who can demonstrate these, regardless of whether their journey has been conventional.

What matters is demonstrating proof of work, be it through internships, freelance projects, contributions to live campaigns, or even a thoughtful body of content that reflects your learning. Proof of work, when paired with the mindset that UPSC preparation cultivates, can quickly rebuild professional momentum.

A new path is not a lesser one

The idea that civil services are the only respectable form of public contribution or the only stable career is outdated. Today, people are creating impact through entrepreneurship, product innovation, digital communication, education, and grassroots work. The roles are diverse, and so are the definitions of success. Of course, the respect that UPSC commands is real but it should not come at the cost of ignoring the many other ways in which talent can grow, contribute, and lead. The point here is not to diminish the exam. It is to acknowledge that even if it was your primary focus for years, you are allowed to shift direction without carrying a sense of failure.

A future worth building

The journey after UPSC preparation can be shaped by clarity of what you have learned, what you bring to the table, and what you want to build next. At some point, the decision to start again becomes less about walking away and more about choosing to move forward. And this decision, while not easy, opens more doors than it closes. It is never too late to make that choice. It is never too late to begin again.

Also read: New learning paradigms