When her peers called it a day and the city lights began to twinkle across Delhi’s horizon, Kajal Jawla’s day would just get started. She would clock out of her demanding corporate job and catch a cab home at eight in the night.
It was during this 1.5-hour commute, amidst the hum of the city’s vibrant pulse, that Kajal would dive into the events of the day, scanning current affairs. Upon reaching home, while most people would unwind, her journey was far from over. Burning the midnight oil, she engrossed herself deep into her books to prepare for one of the most challenging examinations—the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Driven by an unwavering resolve to ascend to the ranks of the country’s most esteemed civil servants, every night was a step closer to her dreams.
Her dreams came true when she secured an All India Rank of 28 in the 2018 UPSC examinations. Now an IAS officer, she shares her journey of clearing the examination, all while balancing professional responsibilities, a new marriage, and an intensive preparation schedule.
Balancing work, marriage, and studies
Kajal’s academic background is rooted in electronics and communication engineering. Her career took off in the corporate world, where she spent nine years working with various multinational corporations in Gurugram.
This period not only gave her professional stability but also helped her with her financial responsibilities, as she was committed to paying off an education loan. The corporate job wasn’t just a career for Kajal, it was a lifeline that provided her the means to support herself while dreaming of becoming an IAS officer.
Her initiation into UPSC preparations started in 2012 at the age of 24. Her first attempt did not yield a favourable result, nor did the subsequent attempts in 2014 and 2016. During this period, Kajal was switching jobs and also took the significant step of getting married.
Marriage, for Kajal, marked a turning point. In 2017, during a conversation with her husband, she revealed her past attempts and lingering ambition. Kajal yearned to give one final, full-hearted attempt without dwelling on past setbacks. And a year later, she passed the exam with flying colours.
Drawing from her own experience, she shared valuable tips with The Better India on how to efficiently prepare for the UPSC examination while holding a full-time job.
1. Setting up multiple alarms and time management
The most crucial element of Kajal’s success was her impeccable time management. She maximised every opportunity to study, beginning with her commute. During transit, she would diligently read newspapers, engage with daily quizzes on current affairs, and stay abreast of what was happening around her. This strategic use of time ensured that her weekdays, although packed with work, were also productive for her UPSC preparation.
Weekends were her sanctuary of focused study. With her husband often working on Saturdays, Kajal had the entire day to herself, dedicated solely to her studies. “I would reserve my Sundays to catch up on anything I couldn’t complete during the week,” she says.
Living in a compact house in Delhi meant that household chores were minimal, allowing her to prioritise her preparation.“Instead of fancy meals, we were content with simple khichadi or salads. This ensured that I didn’t squander precious time on daily activities. We hardly bothered about deep cleaning the house. Even after marriage, we were living like bachelors,” she laughs.
Kajal’s life was meticulously organised. From the moment she woke up to scheduled coffee breaks, her day ran like clockwork. “In a bid to stay disciplined, I would set up alarms to remind myself of the tasks and follow them rigorously. I would even set alarms for coffee breaks,” she adds.
This structured routine was her guiding force, consistently propelling her towards her goal.
2. Strategic leave usage
Kajal would save her annual leaves to utilise only before examinations. She took one week off before the Prelims. After she cleared the first stage, she tried preparing for the ‘mains’ while continuing with her job. She strategically took a 45-day break before the Mains examination to focus solely on her preparation.
This period was crucial for her intensive study and revision. As the final stage of her UPSC journey approached, she took another week off before her personality test.
“I used this period to frame my opinions on certain trending topics. Thanks to my prior experience of taking interviews at my workplace, I already had command over effective communication and confidence. I distilled vast topics into concise thoughts and ensured I could be well-prepared for any questions that could come up,” she says.
Kajal quit her job just 10 days before the joining date for her foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) — a dream of every aspirant.
News of her success and her decision to leave corporate life for public service came as a surprise to her colleagues and extended family, who were largely unaware of her rigorous preparation journey.
3. Rewriting answers till they are perfect
Kajal found joining online study groups immensely helpful. These platforms provided daily practice questions, allowed her to compare her answers with those of other aspirants, and refined her technique.
Writing in bullet points, incorporating flow charts, and using diagrams were game-changers for Kajal. Instead of lengthy paragraphs, these tools helped her present information concisely and effectively, making her answers easier to read and understand.
Practice makes perfect, and for Kajal, this meant rewriting answers multiple times. She worked on four to five questions daily and even rewrote entire tests to improve her writing speed and presentation. “With this strategy, I started scoring from 33 to eventually more than 100 out of 250 on test series,” she shares.
For working professionals, Kajal emphasises the importance of focusing on scoring rather than mastering every topic. The objective should be practical — to secure the marks necessary to pass.
4. Source optimisation
Kajal stresses the importance of source optimisation. “I would rely on The Hindu for current affairs and free content of a few online coaching institutions. I referred to NCERTs for Geography and books by Bipin Chandra, RS Sharma, and Tamil Nadu editions for History. For Indian Economy, I read a book by Ramesh Singh. I kept revising the same content multiple times,” she shares.
5. Choosing the right optional paper
Kajal advises that choosing the optional subject should start as early as possible in preparation, right along while preparing for the prelims stage. “This aspect can be a decisive factor; scoring 300 or more out of 500 in optional papers can significantly boost your overall ranking. Achieving high marks gives you a competitive edge over other candidates,” she says.
Selecting the right optional subject can be crucial. “For instance, you can choose Sanskrit if you have a strong background in it, as it requires writing only a few answers in the language, allowing most responses to be in English. The key is to adopt any strategy or smart approach that suits you, especially if you’re balancing a job. Time is a precious resource, and efficiency is essential for working professionals,” she says.
Kajal’s background in science drew her towards zoology, a subject she loved and could understand deeply. She also took guidance from a cousin who was preparing for medicine.
In August 2019, Kajal joined LBSNAA, having succeeded in her UPSC journey — a goal that seems insurmountable for working professionals.
