Have you ever heard the story of the tiny ant who tries to climb a wall, falls down again and again, but keeps trying until she reaches the top? Many people think it’s just a story. They think after one or two setbacks, anyone would give up. I used to think that too.
But then, I heard the story of Abhijeet Dubey. His journey is a real-life example of that little ant. He showed that if you keep your eyes on your goal and just keep walking, one day you will surely reach there. He cleared the UPSC EPFO EO/AO exam after a very, very long journey.
If you sometimes feel tired, sad, or think about giving up, Abhijeet’s story is for you. It will give you hope and show you that your hard work never goes to waste. Let’s see how he did it.
Let’s start from the very beginning, to see where Abhijeet comes from.
A Little About Abhijeet’s Simple Beginnings
Here’s how Abhijeet’s background shaped his journey.
Abhijeet comes from a small town called Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. In his family, education was the most important thing. His mother is a teacher, and so are his brother and sister-in-law. Imagine growing up in a house full of teachers! That’s why he always knew that studying well was the path forward.
“In my family, the prime importance has always been given to education, and because of that only, I am here today.”
But was he always a topper? Not really! He was a ranker till class 5th, but from 6th to 10th, he became an average student. Have you ever felt like that? Good in some years, and just okay in others? It happens to many of us. But after his 10th board exams, he became serious again and even topped his school. This seriousness helped him get into NIT Bhopal, a very good engineering college.
But after getting into a top engineering college, a big change was waiting for him.
From a Good Job to a Big Dream
This is where his journey took a turn that many people would be scared to take.
After finishing his engineering, Abhijeet got a very good job at a big company called Alstom. He worked there for 15 months. But deep inside, he had a different dream. He wanted to prepare for Civil Services. He felt he could do more for people by being in a government job.
So, he made a big decision. He decided to leave his job. For him, the decision was simple. He asked himself, “Will I be happy doing this?” And the answer was yes.
But his family was worried. Can you imagine telling your parents you are leaving a good, stable job for an exam with no guarantee? They were scared for him. This is a fear many of our families have, right?
But things were not going to be easy. In fact, a long period of struggle was just beginning.
The Long and Winding Road of Struggles
Here’s where Abhijeet’s real story of never giving up begins.
Abhijeet prepared for Civil Services for four long years. He even reached the Mains exam twice but couldn’t make it to the final list. It was a very hard time for him. He was living at home, and his parents saw him facing these setbacks every day. It was tough for them too.
He didn’t just give one or two exams. He appeared for almost 15 to 16 different exams! Can you believe that? At every stage, he would face some hurdle. Sometimes he would clear prelims but not mains. In the NABARD exam, he reached the interview but missed the final list by just two marks.
Do you sometimes feel like you are getting close but not quite there? Abhijeet felt that for years. It was not easy. But that NABARD interview gave him a little hope. He told himself
“Though you are getting setbacks, you are on the right track,”
He realised he was getting better with each attempt.
Now, here’s where Abhijeet really showed what a strong mindset looks like.
The Big Mindset Change: “My Hard Work is Not Wasted”
This is the most important lesson from his story.
After so many attempts, anyone would feel like their time and effort were wasted. But Abhijeet thought differently. He believed that all his hard work was getting collected somewhere, like putting money in a bank. He felt there is a “threshold” or a certain level of knowledge and hard work you need to clear an exam.
“If you are getting failed here, if you are feeling dejected, don’t worry. You are getting one step closer to your goal, which you won’t see.”
“Ultimately, there will be a time when you will start clearing examinations one after another… just because you have put in that much amount of time and effort.”
This is such a powerful way to think! Your hard work is never wasted. It is all adding up. One day, it will be enough to cross the finish line. And for Abhijeet, that day came with the UPSC EPFO exam.
Let’s see how he made his plan work for this exam.
How Abhijeet Prepared for UPSC EPFO
Here’s his simple and smart strategy, which you can also use.
For Subjects Like History and Polity (General Studies)
Because he had prepared for UPSC before, his basics were strong. But to revise everything, he relied on EduTap’s short and simple notes. This saved him a lot of time.
For Tricky Subjects like Accountancy and Labour Laws
This is a big fear for students from a non-commerce background. Did this ever worry you? Abhijeet, an engineer, had no idea about these subjects. But he shares a secret:
“You don’t have to worry about mastering Accountancy or Labour Laws before selection… Just stick to basic definitions. You just have to learn the basics.”
He didn’t read thick books. He had very little time, so he completely relied on the PDFs and materials from EduTap’s course. He read them again and again, and that was enough!
For Maths and Reasoning
He was also preparing for other exams like SSC CGL, so his practice for Maths and Reasoning was already ongoing. This helped him score well in these sections too.
The Interview Day: A Story of Luck and Preparation
Let’s look at the final part of his selection journey.
The interview was delayed for a long time. But for Abhijeet, this was a “blessing in disguise.” In that waiting period, he got two other jobs! This gave him a lot of confidence. When he told the interview panel about his work experience, it left a very positive impact.
And here’s a beautiful story from his interview day. While waiting for his turn, he was discussing some facts about EPFO with another candidate. That friend corrected a data point for Abhijeet. And guess what? The interview panel asked him the exact same question about that data! Because his friend had corrected him just minutes before, he could answer it perfectly.
Sometimes, the universe helps you in strange ways, doesn’t it?
Now, let’s talk about the support system that was with him all along.
How EduTap Became His Friend on this Journey
Here’s how the right guidance helped him save time and energy.
Abhijeet first heard about the EPFO exam from a YouTube video by EduTap’s Kuldeep sir. For his preparation, especially for the new subjects, he relied heavily on EduTap.
“Sources was EduTap… I purchased the course of EduTap, wherein I relied primarily on the PDFs provided, the short ones… I had to stick to my sources; I limited them, but I read them efficiently.”
His story shows that with the right material, even the most difficult-looking subjects can be covered in a short time. You just need to trust your source and be consistent.
Finally, here are some simple and honest tips from Abhijeet himself.
Lessons from Abhijeet’s 7-Year Journey
- Every attempt teaches something. Even if you don’t clear an exam, you figure out what didn’t work, and that’s progress.
- Celebrate small wins. Reaching prelims or an interview means you’re getting closer. Don’t ignore these milestones.
- It’s okay to feel low. But don’t stop. Remind yourself that you’re on the right path and keep moving.
- Focus on basics. Don’t try to master everything. Just understand the core concepts really well.
- Limit your sources. Trust one good source (like Abhijeet trusted EduTap) and revise it multiple times.
“Those people they scroll mindlessly on Instagram or YouTube… I did the opposite.”
- Use overlaps smartly. Preparing for multiple exams? Link common subjects to make your prep more efficient.
- Your effort is never wasted. Every hour you study is building something, even if you can’t see it yet.
- Be mindful with your phone. While others scrolled aimlessly, Abhijeet used apps like Inshorts to stay updated.
- Create a supportive space. Make sure your environment helps you stay focused, not distracted.
- Hold on. He waited 7 long years. If he didn’t quit, you don’t have to either.
The Final Message: Your Hard Work is Like a Savings Account
Abhijeet’s journey teaches us that success is not an accident. It is the result of all the small efforts you make every single day, even on days when you feel lost. Every chapter you read, every mock test you give, is a deposit in your hard work bank account. One day, that account will be full, and you will get the result you have been dreaming of.
When the results came, Abhijeet and his family were completely surprised. He didn’t expect such a good rank. It was a sweet surprise that came after years of patience. I hope you get such a wonderful surprise too.
So, the next time you feel low, remember Abhijeet. Remember that tiny ant. Just take one more step. You are much closer than you think.
