For every UPSC success story that makes headlines, there are years of unseen struggles behind the final result. Multiple failures, self-doubt, changing strategies and starting over are often part of the journey. IAS officer Tripti Kalhan’s story is one such example. Before securing All India Rank (AIR) 199 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023, she had already faced four unsuccessful attempts and even stepped away from preparation for an entire year.Her journey is not just about clearing one of India’s toughest examinations. It is about learning when to pause, when to adapt and when to begin again. For thousands of aspirants preparing for UPSC, Tripti’s experience serves as a reminder that setbacks do not always signal the end of the road.
A dream that began in school
Tripti Kalhan hails from Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. Her aspiration to become an IAS officer began during her school days after she saw the District Collector attending a public event as the chief guest. The respect associated with the role left a lasting impression, and with constant encouragement from her father, the dream gradually became a career goal.After completing her graduation in 2017, she chose to prepare for the Civil Services Examination through self-study instead of joining a coaching institute. She built her preparation around disciplined study, analysing topper strategies and maintaining consistency over several years.
Four setbacks before the breakthrough
The road, however, proved far more challenging than expected.Tripti’s first three attempts ended at the Preliminary Examination stage. In her fourth attempt, she finally crossed the Prelims hurdle but could not clear the Mains examination.For many aspirants, four consecutive disappointments would have been enough to move on. Tripti chose a different approach.Instead of immediately appearing again, she took a one-year break from UPSC preparation. During this period, she reassessed her study plan, identified areas that needed improvement and made one of the biggest changes in her strategy by switching her optional subject from Public Administration to Anthropology.The break also gave her an opportunity to rebuild her confidence before returning to preparation with a fresh perspective.
AIR 199 and a lesson for aspirants
Her revised strategy paid off when she secured AIR 199 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023.Looking back on her journey in an interview with Indian Masterminds, Tripti admitted that she had prepared for UPSC without keeping an alternative career option in mind. “I never approached UPSC with a Plan B, so it was a do-or-die situation,” she said.Interestingly, despite following that approach herself, her advice to today’s aspirants is different. Based on her experience, she now recommends having a Plan B, saying that it helps reduce unnecessary pressure and allows candidates to prepare with greater clarity and confidence.Tripti also credits her sporting background for shaping her mindset. As a former sportsperson, she learned to treat every defeat as feedback rather than failure. Even when relatives questioned her repeated attempts, the unwavering support of her father and close friends helped her stay focused on her goal.Today, IAS officer Tripti Kalhan’s journey is a reminder that success in UPSC rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes, the most important part of the journey is not avoiding failure but finding the courage to learn from it, change course when necessary and keep moving forward until the goal is finally achieved.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and statements shared by the individual concerned. The details are intended for informational purposes only.