Do you ever worry that you need to be a school topper to clear big exams like UPSC? Do you sometimes feel that maybe this journey is not for people like you?
If yes, then you need to hear the story of Brijesh Kumar Vais.
Brijesh proved that you don’t need to be a topper student all your life to succeed. He was an average student, but with his hard work, he cleared not just one, but 2 big UPSC EPFO exams, first as an EO/AO and then securing Rank 151 in APFC. His journey is full of simple lessons that can give you a lot of hope and a clear path to follow.
Let’s first go back to his school days and see where he came from.
Who is Brijesh Kumar Vais?
Here’s a little about Brijesh’s life before he started his big journey.
Brijesh comes from a small town called Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh. His family has a farming background. He was just like any one of us, a normal student. In his own words, he was an average student.
“I was never a topper. I was a middle-average student, not too good, not too bad.”
Does this sound like you? So many of us think that only the brightest students can clear these exams. But Brijesh’s story is the first lesson for all of us: your school marks do not decide your future. What matters is the hard work you do today.
So, if he was an average student, what made him dream of UPSC?
What Made Him Dream of UPSC? The First Spark of a Big Dream
This part of his story shows how inspiration can come from anywhere.
When Brijesh was in the third year of his engineering college, something special happened. The District Magistrate (DM) of Jhansi, Mr. Anurag Yadav, came to his college for a seminar. Seeing him and listening to some of his seniors who were preparing for civil services lit a small fire in Brijesh’s heart.
“I saw my seniors preparing, and then the DM came to our college. That was the day my UPSC journey started in my mind.”
That was the first time he felt, “Maybe I can do this too.”
But he didn’t just jump into preparation blindly. Here’s where he showed what smart planning looks like.
How did he start the UPSC Preparation?
Let’s see how Brijesh took his first small steps, which made a big difference later.
Instead of getting scared by the huge syllabus, Brijesh did something very smart in college. He started reading basic books, like a little bit of history, some geography, and he started reading the newspaper to understand current affairs.
He wasn’t trying to finish the whole syllabus. He was just making a base, like building the foundation of a house before putting up the walls.
This is a great lesson for you too. If you are in college, you can start small. This small warm-up helped him a lot when he started his full-time preparation.
After college, things got more serious, but his journey was not a straight road to success.
What were the struggles he faced during preparation?
This is where Brijesh faced some real challenges, just like many of us do.
After graduating in 2017, he moved to Delhi for coaching. He prepared for three years before giving his first UPSC Civil Services attempt in 2020. Why so long? Because he wanted to be fully ready. But sadly, his first two attempts did not work out. He couldn’t even clear the prelims.
But Brijesh did not just sit and worry. He had a Plan B. While preparing for CSE, he had also filled the form for the UPSC EPFO exam.
“My seniors were also applying for it, so I applied too. When COVID happened, I moved back home and started preparing for EPFO on the side.”
This is where his journey took a turn for the better.
How Brijesh Prepared for EPFO’s New Subjects
Here’s his practical advice on tackling subjects you have never studied before.
The EPFO exam had new subjects like Accounting, Labour Laws, and Social Security. Brijesh was an engineering student, so these were completely new for him.
So, what did he do?
- He Used YouTube: He knew he couldn’t find all the information in one book. So, he explored YouTube and found channels like EduTap and Abhipedia that explained these topics in a simple way.
- He Asked for Help: He was not shy. He reached out to his friends who were from a commerce background to understand the basics of accounting.
- He Made His Own Notes: He collected information from different places and made his own simple notes. This helped him revise everything easily.
This simple approach helped him clear the EO/AO exam first, and then he used the same knowledge to crack the APFC exam too!
But how did he manage his time every day? Let’s look at his simple routine.
Brijesh’s Simple Daily Routine for Success
This is not a fancy timetable, but a practical one that you can also follow.
Brijesh knew that studying at home can be full of distractions. So, he joined a library. His routine was simple but powerful:
- He would wake up early, around 5-6 AM.
- He would go to the library and study till lunchtime.
- After lunch and a short break, he would study again.
- He made sure he studied for 8 to 10 hours every day.
“I didn’t have a fixed timetable. I had daily targets. I just knew I had to finish them. And we must maintain 8-10 hours of study to cover the UPSC syllabus.”
He also knew that all work and no play is not good.
More Than Just Books: Friends and Hobbies Matter
Let’s see why taking breaks and having friends is so important.
Brijesh never locked himself in a room. He loved writing a diary and listening to music, and he continued to do so during his preparation. These hobbies helped him relax. He also spent time with his friends.
“You should not isolate yourself. Friends and society are important. They support you during the ups and downs of preparation.”
So, if you are feeling lonely, talk to a friend. It really helps!
Now, for the final challenge: the interview.
Facing the Interview with Confidence
Here’s how Brijesh prepared for the final round.
For the interview, Brijesh knew that knowledge about his own life was key. He focused on his DAF (Detailed Application Form). The questions were mostly about his job, his hobbies, his state, and his engineering background.
To prepare, he got help from EduTap’s Interview Guidance Program. He says,
“The faculty at EduTap was very good. They gave me great feedback and suggestions on what to improve. It was very helpful in my final interview.”
This shows that getting the right guidance at the right time can make all the difference.
Brijesh’s Message for You
Here is some simple and honest advice from Brijesh to you.
“Be consistent and have a positive mindset. The results will come, maybe a year or two late, but they will definitely come. Just keep moving forward. Even if you don’t clear the exam, you will become a better person.”
This is such a beautiful message. The journey is as important as the destination.
Your Action Plan Inspired by Brijesh’s Journey
So, what can you start doing today after reading Brijesh’s story? Here is a simple plan:
- Don’t Worry About Your Past: Forget your school marks. Focus on today.
- Build a Strong Base: If you are just starting, spend a few months on basics like NCERTs and newspapers. Don’t rush.
- Have a Plan B: Look for other exams with a similar syllabus. It gives you confidence.
- Use Free Resources: Explore YouTube and other free platforms for difficult topics.
- Make a Simple Routine: Find a quiet place to study and aim for 8 hours of focused study daily.
- Don’t Isolate Yourself: Talk to your family and friends. Continue a small hobby. It will keep you happy.
Brijesh’s journey from being an average student in a small town to clearing two UPSC exams is a story of hope, smart work, and consistency. It tells us that success is not just for toppers. It is for anyone who is willing to work hard and not give up.
If he can do it, you can too. Just believe in yourself and take one small step every day.
