Have you ever had a dream that was not just yours, but also your family’s? A dream that felt so big and important that it kept you going even on the toughest days? Today, we are going to talk about a friend just like you, Mr. Mridul Tripathi, who cleared the UPSC EPFO EO/AO exam. His story is not just about books and studying; it’s about a promise he made to his father and the journey he took to fulfill it.
This story will feel like a warm hug, full of hope and simple advice. If you sometimes feel lost or tired on your own journey, Mridul’s path will show you that you are not alone, and your dream is very much possible.
Let’s start from the beginning and see how a simple dream turned into a beautiful reality.
Being an Officer: A Dream Shared with His Father
Here’s how Mridul’s journey was shaped by a very special person.
Mridul comes from Lucknow and did his BSc and then a Master’s in Political Science. But his biggest dream wasn’t just about getting a degree. Since childhood, he wanted to become an officer. It was a dream he saw with his eyes open. But this dream was extra special because it was also his father’s dream.
He shared something very close to his heart:
“When my father was on his deathbed, he asked me that I should fulfill both of our dreams together of becoming an officer.”
Can you imagine how much that must have meant? It wasn’t just a career goal anymore. It became a promise. This love and this promise became his biggest strength. Every time he felt tired, he remembered his father’s words. It’s amazing how the love of our parents can give us so much power, right?
This powerful reason kept him going, but the path wasn’t simple. Let’s see what challenges he faced at the start.
The First Steps and a Big Decision to Prepare for UPSC EPFO
Let’s look at the problems he faced right at the start.
Before thinking about the UPSC EPFO exam, Mridul was already preparing for other big exams like SSC CGL and State PCS for about 3 to 4 years. It’s a long time, isn’t it?
One day, his friends and social media told him about the UPSC EPFO exam. He looked at the syllabus and had a happy surprise! He realized that many topics like Maths, Reasoning, English, and General Studies were almost the same as what he was already studying.
“It will be a good opportunity since most of the portion was already covered, and some minor portion that was required to be covered extra can be covered in a couple of months.”
This is a very smart way to think! Instead of starting something completely new, he found an exam that matched his preparation. For you, too, maybe there’s an exam that fits your strengths perfectly. It’s all about looking carefully.
But just knowing about the exam wasn’t enough. He had to make a real plan to clear it.
Now, let’s see how Mridul made a plan that actually worked.
How Mridul Designed His UPSC EPFO Study Plan Step-by-Step
Identifying his first steps and finalizing the exams were just the beginning; the toughest part was starting the preparation journey and creating a study plan that works for him.
Many students get confused with so many subjects. Mridul felt it too, but he handled it with a simple and clever plan. He didn’t try to study everything all at once.
Here is what he did, step-by-step:
- He first studied past question papers to identify high-weightage subjects & knew where to put more effort.
- He started with subjects he was already good at, like Maths, Reasoning, and English, which helped him build confidence.
- For tougher areas like Accounts, Labour Laws, and Social Security, he took coaching instead of struggling alone.
- He kept smaller topics like Computers for the last month of prep, saving main study time for bigger subjects.
- For Labour Laws, he went directly to the government acts, calling them the best material.
- He followed 1 golden rule: Revise the same material again and again instead of chasing new notes and materials.
This simple plan helped him cover the whole syllabus without getting scared or confused. But studying is one thing, and facing the exam hall is another challenge altogether.
Facing the UPSC EPFO Exam and the Long Waiting Period
Let’s see how he handled the pressure of the exam and the difficult waiting period.
When Mridul sat for the exam, he got a big surprise. The paper was much, much harder than the last time! In moments like these, it is very easy to panic.
But Mridul stayed calm. He told himself, “The paper is difficult for everyone, not just for me.” He focused on the questions he knew and did his best. This calmness is a superpower during exams.
But the biggest test was yet to come. After the written exam, there was a very long gap before the interview dates were announced. He said, “It was frustrating.” It’s very hard to stay motivated when you don’t know what’s next. To stay connected, he did one simple thing: he kept reading the newspaper every single day.
This small habit kept his mind sharp and ready for the interview, whenever it happened.
Finally, the interview call came. Let’s see how our friends at EduTap helped him in this final, crucial step.
Preparing for the UPSC EPFO Interview with EduTap Mock Sessions
Mridul knew the interview was the last door he had to open. He found out about EduTap’s mock interviews through social media and decided to give it a try. He gave 2 mock interviews with us.
His first mock interview was not so good. But the feedback he got was very helpful.
“The feedback they provided from the first interview…was really helpful. It opened my eyes to many of my lacking points.”
He worked on those points. In his second mock interview, he did much better! This boosted his confidence. When he went for the real UPSC interview, he was calm and prepared. He felt ready.
Sometimes, just a little bit of guidance and practice can make you feel so much more confident. It’s like having a friend who shows you the right path.
But during this long journey, who was his biggest support? Let’s find out.
The Real Heroes: Family, Friends, and Hobbies in UPSC EPFO Success
Support is like a secret magic that keeps us strong.
A long journey like this can be very lonely and stressful. Mridul says having a good support system is as important as studying. His biggest hero was his mother. She was the only earning member of the family, but she never let him worry about anything.
“Focus on doing your best, and the result will come.”
His sister and friends were also always there for him. They cheered him on and helped him forget his worries. And what did he do when he felt too stressed? He played cricket or watched YouTube videos about things he liked! He says we should never leave our hobbies behind. They are like little pockets of happiness that refresh our minds.
This beautiful support system gave him the strength to never give up. And now, he has a special message for you.
Here are some final words of wisdom from Mridul himself.
Mridul UPSC EPFO Journey: Key Lessons & Your Action Plan for UPSC EPFO 2025
Here are the final, simple tips you can start using today.
Mridul’s journey teaches us so much. Here is his most important message for you:
“It’s important to not lose hope and try to always be better yourself from what you were before.”
Don’t just run after success. Try to become a better person every day. Learn from your mistakes, and never repeat them. That is the real win.
- Finding your “WHY” was Mridul’s biggest power. Once he had a strong reason, nothing could stop him.
- He proved the value of choosing exams wisely, using his existing preparation instead of starting from 0.
- Inside the exam hall, he reminded himself to stay calm in tough situations, knowing that if it’s difficult, then it’s difficult for everyone, not just him.
- He built confidence early by starting with his strengths before tackling the new subjects in UPSC EPFO.
- He made it a rule to stick to limited sources.
- Every day, he would keep learning small things, like reading the newspaper, to stay in touch with knowledge.
- He practiced regularly, doing mock tests and interviews to find weak spots and grow stronger.
- Things that kept him stress-free were the balance of friends, family, and hobbies.
- Whenever he struggled, he would learn from mistakes instead of feeling stuck.
- Take breaks regularly to keep your mind refreshed, as he recommends those to stay fresh and consistent. Do something you love.
- Above everything, he kept reminding himself to believe in yourself, move patiently, and take one small step at a time.
Mridul’s story is a beautiful reminder that with a pure heart, a smart plan, and the love of our family, any dream can come true. We hope his journey gives you the light and hope you need today.
