Prakhar Purwar UPSC EPFO EO/AO Success Story: Self-Study, Timetable & Tips

Sometimes, when we start preparing for a big exam, we feel completely lost, right? It feels like everyone else knows so much, and we are starting from zero. Have you ever felt this way?

If you have, then you must read the story of Prakhar Purwar. He is someone just like us. He was an engineer who knew nothing about UPSC subjects but still cleared the UPSC EPFO EO/AO exam with Rank 23, all through his own hard work and self-study. His journey will give you hope and show you that you can do it too, even if you feel you are all alone.

Let’s listen to his simple and honest story, like a big brother telling you how he found his way.

From a Good Job to a Big Dream

Let’s begin with where Prakhar’s journey started.

Prakhar was a chemical engineer and even got a good job right after college. But something didn’t feel right. He told us, 

This means he felt the job was boring, like doing the same thing again and again every single day.

Deep inside, he had a different dream. He wanted to be in a job where he could help people and be part of the country’s administration. He always wanted to prepare for public services like UPSC.

So, he made a very big decision. After just four or five months, he decided to leave his job to prepare for his dream. It was a scary choice, wasn’t it? Leaving a safe job for an uncertain dream. But his heart told him it was the right time.

But when you take such a big step, the first people you have to talk to are your family. Let’s see how they reacted.

The First Challenge: A Worried Family

Here is where many of us can feel what Prakhar felt.

When Prakhar told his family, his father was very worried. He said, “No, no, no, you should continue with this job.” Why was he so scared? Because in their own family, Prakhar’s grandfather had also tried for UPSC for many years but could not clear it. This had caused some money problems for them in the past.

But Prakhar knew what he wanted. He said, “I rebelled in my family… I had to be a bit stubborn.” He gently but firmly stood by his decision. Thankfully, his mother and brother supported him, and later, his father also came around.

This teaches us that sometimes, you have to believe in your dream, even when others are scared for you.

Now that he had decided, let’s see how he actually started his preparation journey, all by himself.

Starting from Zero: The Self-Study Journey

This is the part of the story where you will feel very connected to Prakhar.

When he began, he felt like he knew nothing. He honestly shared, 

He felt like a “frog in the well,” knowing only about his engineering world and nothing else.

He didn’t know how our President is elected or how Lok Sabha elections happen. These are basic things, but for someone from a different background, it can feel very new and difficult. 

So what did he do? He didn’t jump to big, famous books. His first and most important rule was: Start with NCERTs. He said, 

He built his foundation slowly, brick by brick, just like building a house. He didn’t rush. This is a very important lesson for all of us. A strong base is everything.

But how did he manage his time every day while studying alone? Let’s look at his simple routine.

Prakhar’s Simple Daily Routine (and a Secret Tip!)

Here is how Prakhar planned his day to study well without getting tired.

• 6 am – 10 am: Read current affairs and make notes from newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express).
• 10 am – 1 pm: Study any chosen subject, with a break for daily chores and lunch.
• 1 pm – 4 pm: Study another subject.
• 4 pm – 5:30 pm: Short nap and refresh.
• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Write answers for practice.
• 6:30 pm – 8 pm: Study a second subject of the day.
• 8 pm – 9:30 pm: Dinner, family time.
• 9:30 pm – 11 pm: Study optional subject.

The Most Important Tip: He made sure he got enough sleep! He said, “Sleep is a must… I will take my full sleep.” Even before the exam, he would sleep properly. He knew that a tired mind cannot learn.

This routine shows that you don’t need to study 24/7. What you need is a simple, consistent plan that you can follow every day.

But life doesn’t always go as planned, right? Let’s see what happened when things got tough for him.

The Turning Point: When He Needed a Plan B

Here’s where Prakhar’s journey took a very important turn.

Prakhar tried for the UPSC Civil Services exam. But after his third attempt, he could not clear it. He felt very, very sad. He shared, 

This is a feeling many of us know. When you work so hard and things don’t go your way, it can break your heart. But what did Prakhar do? He didn’t just give up. He thought practically.

He decided, “Now I won’t give prelims until I have a job in my hand.” He realized that studying under the pressure of not having a job was making it harder. 

So, he decided to find a Plan B, an exam that would give him stability first. That’s when he started preparing for exams like UPSC EPFO EO/AO.

Sometimes, changing your path a little is not giving up; it’s being smart. It’s about finding a way to keep moving forward.

Now, let’s look at how he studied the completely new subjects for the EPFO exam, all on his own.

How He Tackled Difficult UPSC EPFO Subjects

This is the magic of self-study, and Prakhar shows us exactly how to do it.

The EPFO exam has subjects like Accounting, Labour Laws, and Social Security, which were completely new for an engineer like him. He said, “Accounting is Greek for me.” So, how did he learn them?

• For Accounting: He went back to basics. He read the 11th and 12th class NCERT books three to four times until he understood everything.
• For Labour Laws: This was a lot of work! He downloaded all the important laws from the internet. Then, he read them and made his own short, simple notes in a computer file. This helped him revise quickly.
• For Social Security: He made a list of all the recent government schemes and studied the parts of our Constitution related to them.

For every single topic, he created his own short notes. 

His simple formula was: Read, Make Short Notes, and Revise them again and again. It takes hard work, but it makes you the master of the topic.

He prepared for the written exam, but the journey was not over. A big surprise and a long wait were coming.

Facing the Real Exam and a Long, Anxious Wait

Let’s see how Prakhar handled two of the biggest challenges an aspirant can face.

The day of the EO/AO exam was a shock for everyone. The paper was much, much tougher than anyone expected. Many students panicked. But Prakhar kept his cool.

He had a very powerful thought in his mind: 

He knew that if he was struggling, so was everyone else. So, he did his best and didn’t worry too much. This calm mindset is a superpower, isn’t it?

But after the exam, another challenge began.

Staying Positive During the 1.5-Year Wait

Can you imagine waiting for almost one and a half years for your interview call? 

It’s a very long time, and a lot of rumors started spreading that the exam might get canceled. It’s easy to get worried and distracted, right?

But Prakhar did something very smart. He said, 

He stayed away from all the negative talk on Telegram groups and other places.

He kept his preparation going. He continued reading the newspaper and revising his notes. He knew that the interview would happen someday, and he had to be ready. 

Staying away from negativity and trusting the process is key.

Finally, the interview call came. Let’s see how he prepared for this final step.

The Final Step: The Interview Preparation

Here is how Prakhar prepared to face the interview board with confidence.

He prepared his own questions and answers based on his DAF (the form you fill for the interview). He practiced answering basic questions about his name, his hometown, his hobbies, and his job.

He also gave a few mock interviews to see where he needed to improve. The feedback he got was very helpful. He learned that he spoke a bit too fast and needed to be calmer. This is why mock interviews are important; they are like a practice match before the final game.

Here’s where EduTap was able to help him on his journey.

How EduTap Helped Him

Prakhar wanted to practice with people who had real experience. He shared something special about his mock interview at EduTap.

He said. Facing real, retired officers in the mock interview felt like the real thing. It helped him understand what to expect and boosted his confidence.

He felt that if he could do well in front of them, he could do well in the final interview too. This shows how getting the right kind of guidance at the right time can make a big difference.

But where did he get the strength to keep going through all these years of struggle? Let’s look at his unique source of motivation.

Prakhar’s Secret to Staying Motivated

When you study alone for years, there are days when you feel very low. So what kept Prakhar going? His hobby: reading historical fictional novels.

He read stories about great people like Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and Rani Jindan Kaur. What did he learn from them? He said, 

He saw that even the greatest people in history faced problems and made mistakes, but they never gave up. They rose again, like a phoenix from the ashes. This gave him hope. He thought, 

This teaches us a beautiful lesson. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing to learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Find something that inspires YOU.

Now, let’s put all these lessons together into a simple plan for you.

Your Action Plan: What You Can Learn from Prakhar

If Prakhar’s story has inspired you, here are a few simple things you can start doing today:

• Start with the Basics: If a subject feels hard, pick up the NCERT book for it. Don’t be ashamed to start from Class 6. A strong foundation is your best friend.
• Make Your Own Simple Notes: Don’t just collect material. Write things down in your own words. It will be your biggest strength during revision.
• Create a Simple Routine (and Sleep!): You don’t need a complicated timetable. Just a simple, fixed routine that includes enough sleep. A fresh mind learns best.
• Stay Away from Rumors and Negativity: Stop checking negative groups on Telegram or WhatsApp. Trust the process and focus on your own hard work.
• Find Your Inner Motivation: Find a hobby or a story that gives you strength from within. External motivation videos last for a few hours, but inner motivation will last you a lifetime.

Prakhar’s journey from a confused engineer to a UPSC EPFO officer is a beautiful reminder for all of us. It tells us that you don’t need a big coaching class or a perfect background to succeed.

All you need is a clear dream, the courage to start from zero, the discipline to follow a simple plan, and a heart that refuses to give up.

As Prakhar said, “Be focused, persistent, and dedicated. You have chosen this path, so you have to walk on it.”

So, my dear friend, believe in yourself. Your journey is your own. If he can do it, so can you.