Deekshamrita Tripathi's UPSC EPFO Success Story (AIR 25)

Sometimes, do you feel that only students from a UPSC background can clear big exams? Do you worry that if you haven’t spent years preparing for civil services, you don’t stand a chance? If you have ever felt this tiny fear in your heart, then you need to listen to Deekshamrita Tripathi’s story.

Deekshamrita, a simple girl from UP, did something amazing. With a background in commerce and a heart full of different dreams, she not only prepared for the UPSC EPFO exam after the notification came out but also secured an All India Rank of 25!

This is a story for every student who feels they are different. It’s a story about how your unique journey, your hobbies, and your true self can be your biggest strengths. Let’s see how she did it, and what you can learn from her. 

Let’s first get to know the girl behind this amazing achievement.

A Little About Deekshamrita: More Than Just a Student

Her story starts like many of ours. Her father is in the Indian Army, so her childhood was spent moving from one place to another, from Gujarat to West Bengal to Lucknow. This taught her one big lesson early in life: how to adapt and feel at home anywhere. Doesn’t that sound like a superpower for life?

She did her B.Com from the famous Banaras Hindu University (BHU). But she wasn’t just studying books. Her life was full of colors! She won national awards for her painting, took part in huge art competitions, and was even in the top 10 teams at a big event at IIT BHU. She was always curious, always learning something new, like French!

But with so many interests, what did she really want to do? Let’s find out.

The Big Question: Why EPFO and Not Something Else?

This is where her story gets really interesting for you.

Like many of us, Deekshamrita had many dreams. At first, she thought of becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA). Then, seeing her father, her heart turned towards the defence forces. She even cleared exams like CDS and AFCAT and gave four SSBs! But life had a different plan.

She realized that her true happiness was in helping people. She was part of the National Service Scheme (NSS) and even worked with the Robin Hood Army, an NGO that gives food to those in need. This feeling of helping others was her real motivation.

When she had to choose between a high-paying job at SEBI and EPFO, she chose EPFO. Why? Because here, she could directly help the workers of our country. She chose purpose over package. 

Have you ever thought about what truly makes you happy in a job?

But choosing a path is one thing, and walking on it is another. Her path had a big challenge waiting for her.

The First Big Challenge: Preparing Without a UPSC Background

Here’s the part that might sound just like your own story.

Deekshamrita was not a “UPSC student.” She was busy with her Master’s in Commerce and preparing for defence exams. The fear was real. The competition was with students who had been studying GS for years. 

But she didn’t let the fear stop her. She looked at the syllabus and realized she had small pieces of the puzzle ready.

• General Studies (GS): Her preparation for the CDS exam helped her with History, Polity, and Geography.
• Accounts & Labour Laws: Her B.Com and M.Com degrees gave her a good base here.
• Quant & Reasoning: Her practice for banking and SSC CGL exams came in handy.

She started her serious preparation only after the notification came out in February 2023. She proves that if you are smart and dedicated, you don’t always need years. You just need a clear plan.

Now let’s see what her simple, practical plan looked like.

How She Managed Her Time and Studies

This is how she balanced everything, and you can learn a lot from it.

Deekshamrita was also doing her internship and Master’s. She didn’t have the whole day to study. She would study for just 4-5 hours every day after her college and internship work. It’s not about how many hours you study, but how well you study in those few hours.

Her plan was simple:

• She gave about 2 hours daily to revise GS subjects like Polity and History.
• The rest of the time, she focused on other areas.
• For subjects like Labour Laws and Accountancy, she built upon what she had learned in college.

This shows that you don’t need to quit everything. You just need to be consistent and manage your time smartly. But even with a good plan, some things can be tough.

The Most Difficult Part of the Journey

Even for a commerce student, some subjects were tricky.

For Deekshamrita, the most challenging subject was Labour Laws. Even though she had studied it in her Master’s, the exam questions felt very different and deep.

She honestly shares, 

This is a big lesson for all of us. Never take any subject lightly, even if you think you know it. The exam can always surprise you. Always prepare for the exam’s level, not just what you know from college.

But the biggest test was not of any subject. It was a test of her mind.

Facing the Exam Hall: A Story of Mindset

This is perhaps the most important lesson from Deekshamrita’s journey.

On the day of the exam, she had to give two papers: EO/AO and APFC.

• For the EO/AO exam, she felt confident. She had prepared well and was calm.
• For the APFC exam, she felt scared even before entering the hall. She thought, 

And guess what happened? She performed very well in the EO/AO exam, the one she was confident about. But the fear of the APFC exam affected her performance, and she found it very difficult. It’s all in the mind, isn’t it? Your belief in yourself can change your result.

After clearing the written test, the final challenge was the UPSC interview.

The Interview Round: Turning Fear into Confidence

Here’s how she faced the final step of the journey. Initially, Deekshamrita was nervous. She thought, 

Instead of hiding, she decided to show her true self. She knew her Detailed Application Form (DAF) was her biggest strength. She filled it with all her real interests, her leadership roles in college, her painting awards, her social work. She decided to play on her strengths, not her fears.

But how did she prepare for it all alone? That’s where a little help came in.

How EduTap Helped Her Prepare

This is where we, at EduTap, were lucky to be a small part of her big journey.

Deekshamrita joined EduTap’s free Interview Guidance Program. She said the videos helped her understand how to behave and perform in a real UPSC interview.

To test her preparation, she gave a mock interview with us. She remembers, 

That mock interview, with expert panelists, boosted her confidence. It helped her believe that she could do it.

She faced one of the toughest interview boards, headed by Alka Sirohi ma’am, but because of her honest DAF and good practice, she did wonderfully.

What You Can Learn About Interviews:

• Your DAF is your story. Fill it honestly with what makes you special.
• Practice makes you confident. Join groups or give mock interviews to remove fear.
• It’s okay to be nervous. But your real personality and honesty will always shine through.

So, what is her final message for students like you?

Deekshamrita’s Simple Tips for You

Here is some heartfelt advice directly from the topper.

• Believe in Yourself: “Always have faith and believe in yourself.” Don’t let your background or anyone else tell you that you can’t do it.
• Start Your Preparation Now: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. If you start studying GS and other subjects now, you will be comfortable when the exam comes.
• Be True to Your Hobbies: Your hobbies are not a waste of time. They make you who you are and can be your biggest strength in the interview. Deekshamrita’s love for painting and social work made her stand out.
• It’s Okay to Say “No”: In the interview, if you don’t know an answer, it is better to politely say “I don’t know” than to guess. Honesty is always appreciated.
• Use Social Media Wisely: She used Telegram groups to practice with other serious students. Use these platforms for learning, not for distractions.

Her journey is a beautiful example of how to approach life and exams.

The Final Message: Your Journey is Your Own

Deekshamrita’s story is not just about clearing an exam. It’s about a young girl who wasn’t afraid to be herself. She explored different fields, followed her heart, and never stressed about fitting into a box.

She teaches us that success is not about being perfect; it’s about being real. It’s about staying calm, being consistent, and having faith in your own unique path. She was never in a hurry. She wanted to experience life, and that calm and mature approach is what led her to Rank 25.

So, if you are a student who feels a little lost or scared, remember Deekshamrita. Your journey is yours alone. Embrace your interests, trust your hard work, and walk with a confident heart. Your success story is waiting to be written.