Do you ever feel like you’re too young or too new to crack a big government exam?
Maybe you’re still in college or just graduated. Maybe you think you need years of experience before you even try. If you’ve ever felt like that, I want to introduce you to someone who proved all of that wrong.
Meet Vibhav Srivastava, a young engineering graduate who cleared the UPSC EPFO EO/AO exam in his very first attempt, securing an impressive Rank 17. His journey is not filled with fancy coaching or long years of preparation. It’s about courage, self-belief, and a plan so simple that you can follow it too.
“Make a good strategy, and you will succeed.” – Vibhav Srivastava
Let’s walk through his journey together, and I promise, by the end, you’ll feel braver, calmer, and more focused about your own exam journey.
The Beginning of a Dream: Who Is Vibhav Srivastava?
Before we dive into strategies and tips, let’s first understand where Vibhav started from.
Vibhav grew up in Amethi and did his schooling in Prayagraj. Like many of you, he chose engineering for graduation and studied at Thapar University. Until his final year, he was just like any other student, focused on his degree. But in 2022, something changed.
He felt a new dream slowly take root inside him, the dream of cracking government exams.
“I decided in my final year of engineering that I wanted to give government exams,”
And that one decision changed everything.
This is important for you to hear: you don’t need to be ‘fully prepared’ before you start. Sometimes, all you need is to begin, even if you’re unsure.
But Vibhav’s path wasn’t straight or easy. Like every honest journey, it had its own share of challenges.
- Syllabus
- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Sources
- Strategy
Facing New Subjects: What If You’ve Never Studied These Topics?
Here’s where you might really connect with his story.
Coming from an engineering background, Vibhav had little exposure to subjects like History, Geography, and Labour Laws. These were not just unfamiliar, they were completely new!
And maybe you feel the same way when you look at topics outside your comfort zone. But instead of getting overwhelmed, Vibhav chose a smart, simple approach.
He didn’t pick up the thickest reference books. He picked up NCERTs from Class 6 to 10.
“Interest aana bahut zaroori hai.”
He made the subjects feel like stories instead of burdens. He kept things light and understandable. And whenever he got stuck, he used YouTube or a simple Google search to clear his doubts.
Even for Labour Laws, which scare many aspirants, he showed no fear.
“The subjects that are extra, like Labour Laws, are very scoring. We should not ignore them.”
So what can you take from this?
- Start small: Go back to basics.
- Stay curious: Look up topics, watch videos.
- Love the “extra” subjects: They might give you an edge.
That’s how he built a strong base, step by step.
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- Previous Year Papers
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When Things Don’t Go as Planned: How Vibhav Kept Going
It wasn’t all smooth.
Vibhav gave the Civil Services exam first but couldn’t clear the prelims. Then he appeared for APFC, but didn’t get an interview call.
Now, this is where most students lose hope.
But not him.
“I gave the Civil Services attempt, but my prelims did not clear. A month later, this EPFO exam happened.”
He moved on quickly. No self-doubt, no regrets—just quiet determination to try again.
That’s a mindset you and I both can learn from. You don’t stop because something didn’t work. You just take the next step.
The Waiting Game: How He Survived 1.5 Years Without Losing Focus
You may not realize this, but after clearing the written EPFO exam, Vibhav had to wait for almost one and a half years for his interview.
Can you imagine the stress?
“At first, I thought the interview would happen in 3-4 months. But when it didn’t, I started to feel that my time was getting wasted.”
But he didn’t let the waiting pull him down. Instead, he made that time useful.
He started preparing for the Civil Services Mains. He also had an interview for CAPF, so he worked on that too. And that preparation helped with the EPFO interview as well.
He turned his frustration into focus.
So next time you feel like time is being wasted, ask yourself: What can I do right now that my future self will thank me for?
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- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Sources
- Strategy
Finding the Right Guidance: How EduTap Helped
Even though Vibhav mostly studied by himself, a little help came at the right time.
“A friend of mine who was also preparing told me about EduTap. He said it’s a very good platform.”
He checked out the EduTap YouTube channel, liked the content, and decided to try our mock tests just 20 days before the exam. These helped him manage time and understand the pattern.
Later, he also took interview guidance from us.
“I also took interview guidance from EduTap, and it helped me a lot.”
It’s a reminder that smart support, even if taken late, can still have a big impact.
Vibhav’s Honest Tips on Study, Social Media, and Stress
Let me now share the most important part, his personal advice to you.
- How many hours should you study?
“We must study for a minimum of 8 hours. But more than that, quality matters most.”
So don’t stress over 10–12 hour study schedules. Focus, be sincere, and be consistent. That’s what counts.
- Should you use social media during preparation?
“I have always stayed away from social media. I don’t even have an Instagram account.”
He believes that scrolling through posts and photos can make you anxious and distracted. And honestly, he’s right.
“These 1–2 years of sacrifice can give you a lifetime of freedom.”
- How do you deal with fear and overthinking?
“When you overthink ‘Will I be selected or not?’, the stress increases. Have faith in God and your hard work.”
He suggests a simple practice, sit with yourself for 10 minutes each day. Ask, “Why am I so worried?” It might just calm your heart.
Your Simple Action Plan, Inspired by Vibhav
If you’re wondering where to start or how to go ahead, here’s what I learned from Vibhav’s story, and what you can do next:
Start here:
- Begin with NCERTs if you’re new to a subject.
- Give attention to “extra” but scoring subjects.
- Create a flexible 6–8 hour routine that works for you.
- Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” to start. Begin today.
Mindset matters:
- Stay away from social media if it distracts you.
- Don’t fear delays—use that time wisely.
- Keep a plan B ready—preparing for multiple exams helps reduce pressure.
- Remind yourself every day: You are capable. You are enough.
- Syllabus
- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Sources
- Strategy
You Can Do It Too
Vibhav didn’t have years of preparation. He didn’t have multiple coaching institutes. He had a simple plan, strong focus, and the courage to keep going.
So if you’re thinking, “Can I really do this?”, let Vibhav’s story be your answer.
Because yes, you can.
Take a deep breath, smile a little, and start. Your journey begins now.
