UPSC EPFO APFC Topper Nishant Ojha: 8-Year Journey, Strategy & Tips

Do you feel stuck? Like you’ve tried everything, multiple exams, countless hours—but you still don’t see success?

Nishant Ojha knows exactly how that feels. Today, he is an Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC), but it took him 8 years of attempts, failures, and deep frustration to get here. If you are a working aspirant, someone juggling jobs, family pressure, and self-doubt, then his journey is proof that slow progress is still progress.

“My story is not a quick story. It took eight years and many tries before I could finally clear this exam. Patience, careful practice, and learning from every mistake became my real teachers.” – Nishant Ojha, UPSC EPFO APFC

Let’s walk through how he made it, mistakes, mindset shifts, study methods, and practical tips you can start applying right now.

Who is Nishant Ojha? His Journey Before UPSC APFC Success

Before any rank, before the post, there was just a young man with a degree and a dream. That’s where Nishant began, too.

After completing his B.Tech in Electronics & Communication from Allahabad University in 2015, Nishant entered the preparation world just like many of you, with hopes of a respected job and the chance to support his family. He started with Civil Services (IAS) preparation in 2016, gave multiple attempts, and even reached the mains stage 4 times. But the final result didn’t come.

In these years, he also appeared for other exams, SSC CGL, RBI Grade B, NABARD Grade A, HP State Services, and started working as a teacher at EduTap.

Why didn’t he give up?
Because he had reasons stronger than doubt:

• He wanted a stable and respected government job.
• He believed in supporting his family.
• He trusted his own ability to learn, adapt, and grow.

If you’re switching between exams or wondering if you’re falling behind, Nishant’s journey tells you that it’s okay to take a longer route, because every step teaches something valuable.

But like every success story out there, he faced rock bottom as well.

Hard Lessons He Learned Early in the Journey

Every long journey has moments when you question your methods more than your motivation. Nishant had those moments, too.

In the earlier part of his preparation, Nishant realized he was stuck in a pattern that wasn’t working. He kept chasing only one exam, waited for one outcome, and didn’t explore opportunities that could have strengthened his overall preparation.

What he later understood:

• Focusing only on the Civil Services limited his exposure to other exams with a similar syllabus. 
• Waiting a whole year between attempts reduced his momentum.
• Not giving multiple exams meant fewer chances to face real-time pressure and refine speed.
• He also paused upskilling, thinking pure academic study was enough.

But as he began teaching at EduTap, he unknowingly started revising. Explaining topics to others built his clarity, and when he started giving other exams again, his confidence returned.

So what’s the takeaway?

If you’re in a similar phase, wondering what’s missing, it’s not always effort; it might be your approach. Let go of the idea that one exam will define everything. Broaden your path, and you’ll find more than one doorway open.

Let’s see how Nishant broadened his path and managed everything. 

Balancing a Job and UPSC Preparation: Nishant’s Real Approach

Many of you must feel stuck between financial responsibilities and preparation for your dreams. Nishant lived through that too, but he didn’t choose one over the other.

Not everyone can be in a teaching role, but the principles Nishant used apply to all working aspirants:

• He observed real concepts in his work.
• He turned his job into a learning opportunity.
• He never waited for ideal time slots; he studied during early mornings, breaks, and nights.

Even during travel, Nishant would revise MCQs or listen to audio notes. And perhaps most importantly, he taught others. That made his weak areas obvious and pushed him to improve quickly.

So if you’re wondering how to keep going while working, just remember this: your job is not your obstacle; it can be your classroom too.

I know, now you want notes from Nishant’s classroom, and here they are. Let me share these with you. 

His UPSC EPFO APFC Subject-Wise Strategy That You Can Start Using Today

Once Nishant’s routine stabilized, his preparation took a more structured shape. He didn’t use any fancy tricks or extraordinary materials. He just kept things simple and consistent.

Here’s how he tackled each subject:

Maths & English

• Focused on basics for 15 – 20 minutes daily
• Took weekend topic-wise tests to stay sharp

Polity, History, Constitution

• Studied from NCERTs and bilingual video content
• Summarised chapters into 5 – 6 line notes
• Reviewed charts and mind-maps every week

Labour Laws, Social Security, Accounts

• Used EduTap’s summary lessons and PYQs
• Wrote key rules/formulae on “1-page revision sheets”
• Revised weekly and connected the rules to real news for memory retention

General Awareness & Current Affairs

• Followed short daily summaries
• Maintained a weekly notebook of key updates and schemes

His strategy wasn’t overwhelming. It was smart, practical, and routine-based. So if you feel unsure about handling so many subjects, break everything down into manageable parts, just like Nishant did.

Like everyone, Nishant faced something unexpected as well. Let’s see how he tackled everything. 

What To Do When the Pattern Suddenly Changes

Just when you feel you’re prepared, a new twist appears in the exam pattern. Nishant faced that too and handled it with calm adaptability.

He noticed a sharp increase in weightage for Labour Law and Accountancy. Instead of panicking, he revised those areas harder using summary PDFs and question papers.

Here’s his suggestion:

• Always expect at least one subject to surprise you.
• Prepare beyond just the previous year’s paper trend.
• Add news-based updates or law changes to your weekly revision.
• Trust only official notifications and reliable sources.

The key is to stay flexible. Those who respond fast to change are the ones who stay ahead.

The destination is still afar, let’s see how Nishant’s experience was during the time of the interview. 

Facing the UPSC Interview Panel: Nishant’s Honest Experience

After clearing the written stage, the interview round brought new challenges, but Nishant faced them with preparation and clarity.

The questions were practical, deep, and personal. The panel wanted to know not just what he knew, but how he thought.

Here’s what worked for him:

• He filled his DAF with honest and simple hobbies.
• He avoided memorized replies and instead used logic and calmness.
• He didn’t engage in pre-interview gossip with other candidates, keeping his mind steady and clear.

So if the interview feels intimidating, remember: they’re not testing your memory, they’re testing your balance.

We all know and must have experienced it firsthand, the toll exam preparation takes on our mental health, and it’s one of the hardest battles to have. I want you to look at Nishant’s side and learn something. 

How He Stayed Mentally Strong Through The Entire UPSC EPFO APFC Prep

Eight years is a long time. And yet, Nishant remained focused without losing heart. His strength came from building a mindset where every day meant progress, no matter how small.

What helped him the most?

• Taking up new skills like teaching, public speaking, and content creation
• Celebrating small wins like finishing chapters or explaining concepts to others
• Helping other aspirants, which in turn strengthened his basics and gave emotional support

If you ever feel tired or discouraged, remember this: your growth doesn’t stop because results are delayed. Keep moving forward, and the breakthrough will come.

Want to know what was the blessing in disguise in Nishant’s story?

Role of EduTap in Nishant’s Journey

While preparing, Nishant also worked at EduTap, and this experience became a turning point.

Here’s how EduTap helped him:

• Concise notes that saved revision time
• Mock tests that helped track progress
• Answering doubts exposed him to new types of questions
• Mentor support when stuck – no need to struggle alone

If you often feel overwhelmed with PDFs or books, follow Nishant’s lead: use simplified resources that support clarity, not confusion.

Your Practical Action Plan: Based on Nishant’s Learnings

Nishant’s experience can become your roadmap too. Here’s what you can start doing:

• Choose more than one exam with an overlapping syllabus
• Fix a daily 60–90 minute non-negotiable study slot
• Break subjects into weekly chunks—1 act, 5 MCQs, 1 law revision
• Create a “mistakes & fixes” journal to track what’s working
• Teach others—friends, siblings, or even yourself in the mirror
• Don’t wait for the perfect day—start small, start today

Final Words from Nishant Ojha to You

Let This Be Your Starting Point To Your Dreams

You may be tired. You may feel unsure. But remember, you are not alone. Nishant’s journey wasn’t about being the quickest. It was about being consistent, honest, and patient. And that can be your path too.

Your timeline is valid. Your steps count. And your story is still being written.

Every year of honest effort adds to your future. You’re closer than you think.