Have you ever had a big dream in your heart? A dream so strong that you would leave a comfortable life in another country just to come back and work for your own? Today, we are going to listen to the story of a friend just like you, Kishore Raj A.S., who did exactly that. He secured Rank 88 in the UPSC EPFO exam, and his journey is full of simple, honest lessons that can help you too.
Imagine feeling so happy that you can’t even find the words to explain it. That’s how Kishore felt when he saw his name on the final list.
“It was a very happy moment in my life. It is somewhat undescribable. I was also relieved.”
Do you know that feeling of relief after a long, hard wait? Let’s find out how he got there.
Kishore’s story is not just about clearing an exam; it’s about choosing your heart over everything else. Let’s see where his journey began.
From a Bright Student to a Big Decision
Here’s a little about Kishore’s background that will make you feel connected to him.
Kishore was always a good student, first in his engineering in India and then getting his Master’s degree from the United States. He could have easily gotten a great job there and lived a settled life. But he had a different dream.
“Serving my country has always been an important motivation in my life. I always wanted to serve my country in one way or another.”
So, he made a brave choice. He came back to India to prepare for the Civil Services exam. For the first time in his life, this bright student faced a big academic challenge. It was a humbling experience, but it also made him stronger.
But his journey didn’t stop there. A new door was about to open for him.
A New Opportunity: The UPSC EPFO Exam
Let’s look at how he saw this new exam and what he learned from it.
While preparing for Civil Services, Kishore saw the UPSC EPFO exam as a wonderful opportunity. He noticed that this exam was a bit different. The questions were very straightforward and based on facts.
He said that for people preparing for the Civil Services, the questions were more factual here. You didn’t have to write long answers, but you had to know the exact details.
His preparation for subjects like History, Polity, and Economy was already strong. But some subjects were completely new for him, like Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, and Accounting.
Let’s see how Kishore managed it in a very short time and how he really showed what smart preparation looks like.
Kishore’s Super Plan for New Subjects in Just One Month
Here’s how he broke down a big task into simple, small steps.
Kishore had only one month before the exam.
One month!
It sounds very difficult, right? But he did not panic. He made a very smart and simple plan. He knew he had to focus only on the new subjects that were not in the Civil Services syllabus. This is what he did.
How He Covered New Topics So Fast
This is all about finding the right books and not getting lost.
Kishore knew he didn’t have time to read hundreds of books. So, he did something very clever:
- He got focused study material from an institute that teaches these subjects.
- He also read some basic NCERT books to make his foundation strong.
- For Labour Laws, he read the Bare Acts to find the most important factual points.
His most important advice?
Keep it simple.
He said you don’t need to go into too much detail. Just learn the basics well. Sometimes we think we need to study everything, but Kishore shows us that focusing on the important things is the real key.
A Smart Trick for Any UPSC Exam
Here’s a tip from Kishore that can help you in any exam.
He shared a wonderful secret. UPSC conducts many exams like CDS, NDA, etc.
“One can also get the question papers for these exams and look at the overlapping areas and try solving those questions.”
This is because sometimes, similar questions appear in different exams. Isn’t that a brilliant idea? It’s like getting a little hint of what might come.
But what about current affairs? That’s a big worry for everyone.
Let’s see his simple method for that.
The Easiest Way to Prepare Current Affairs
This is where he shows us how to save time and energy.
We all know reading the newspaper is important. Kishore agrees and says,
“Reading the newspaper is non-negotiable.”
But he also knew that making notes from it every day can be very tiring. So, he found a better way.
- Read the newspaper daily, but don’t spend hours making notes.
- Use monthly magazines from good institutes to cover everything you might have missed.
- For the EPFO exam specifically, he read magazines like ‘Chronicle’ because the questions are more factual, about things like awards and sports.
This way, you read the news every day, and at the end of the month, you have a nice summary to revise from. This saves so much time, doesn’t it?
Now, just studying is not enough. Practice is what makes you perfect.
Let’s see Kishore’s secret weapon.
The Real Secret: Daily Practice and Smart Mock Tests
This is how you can turn your mistakes into your biggest strength.
Kishore’s daily routine was very simple but powerful. Right after studying a topic, he would solve a small test on it. Maybe just 10 questions.
“By solving tests also you will learn a lot. You make mistakes and from that you get a lot of lessons.”
When he got an answer wrong in a mock test, he didn’t just check the right answer and move on. He would go back to his book, read that part again, and highlight the place where he made the mistake. This way, the next time he revised, he would pay extra attention to that part.
After clearing the written test, the final step was the interview. Many students feel scared about it.
Let’s see how Kishore handled it calmly.
Facing the Interview with a Calm Mind
Here’s how to prepare for the final round without fear.
It was Kishore’s first interview at UPSC, but he was not nervous. He knew that the interview board just wants to talk to you and see how you think. His preparation was focused on two main areas:
- About the Organisation (EPFO): He read the annual report of EPFO to understand its work, its mission, and the schemes it runs. He said the annual report is a “one-point source where you can get most of the information.”
- About the World Around You: He kept reading the newspaper to know about important current events.
On the interview day, the board was very friendly. They asked him questions based on his application form and his opinion on current topics. When he didn’t know an answer, he honestly said, “I did not know.” And the board simply moved to the next question.
It’s okay to not know everything. Honesty is always appreciated.
Kishore also took help from EduTap for his preparation.
“I practiced sectional test…from EduTap and it was very helpful for me. I also gave full mock test with EduTap and during the interview stage as well I did a mock interview with you.”
So, what can you do right now to start your journey? Here’s a small plan for you.
Your Action Plan Inspired by Kishore
If Kishore could do it with just one month of focused work, you can definitely do it too. Here are your first steps:
- Start with your strongest areas, like Polity, History, and General English, to build early confidence.
- Give extra focus to EPFO special subjects, Labour Laws, Social Security, and Accountancy. These will make a big difference in your score.
- Revise current affairs and the Indian Economy daily, as they connect with multiple parts of the paper.
- Stick to one reliable source per subject (for Labour Laws, go directly through the Government Acts instead of too many guides).
- Practice MCQs daily, solve 10 – 20 questions from past papers or mocks to build speed and accuracy.
- Review every mistake immediately so that you don’t repeat it in the actual exam.
- Keep small topics like Computers and General Mental Ability for the final weeks.
- Stay consistent with newspapers for updates on social and economic issues that often link to EPFO’s work.
- Stay calm and genuine in the interview stage; your honesty and clarity of thought will matter more than memorized answers.
Your Final Takeaways Before the UPSC EPFO Exam
- Every Exam Matters – Don’t treat UPSC EPFO as a backup. It’s a prestigious opportunity in itself and a strong step toward serving the country. Give it the seriousness it deserves.
- Stay Balanced, Stay Sharp – Along with study, make space for small habits that refresh you—like yoga, meditation, or a short walk. A calm and steady mind always performs better in the exam hall.
- 2–3 Months of Focus Can Do Wonders – If you prepare smartly for the non-overlapping portions like Labour Laws, Industrial Relations, and Current Affairs, a few months of consistent effort is enough to clear this exam.
- Carry Your ‘Why’ With You – On days when you feel tired or stuck, remember why you started this journey. That reason will push you forward when nothing else works.
In the end, Kishore’s journey reminds us that success is not about endless hours but about clarity, balance, and courage.
So, take that first step with confidence, keep moving with a smile, and trust yourself—you are closer than you think.
