Becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is an arduous challenge, and thousands aspire to join the ranks of IAS, Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. This prestigious examination, comprising three stages — preliminary exam, main exam, and interview — sifts through the nation’s brightest minds to select only a handful. Today, we delve into the inspiring journey of Himanshu Tyagi, a former engineer who transitioned to become an IFS officer.

Himanshu Tyagi, a native of Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, exemplifies the power of self-belief and strategic planning, proving that even in the corporate hustle, dreams can materialize. A Chemical Engineering graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT-Roorkee), Tyagi initially embarked on a career with Indian Oil after successfully cracking the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). However, after five years in the corporate world, Tyagi took a bold step by resigning from his job to pursue the challenging path of UPSC preparation.

His relentless hard work and unwavering dedication bore fruit when he successfully cracked the UPSC IFS exam in 2028 on his second attempt, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 25. Reflecting on his journey, Tyagi shared valuable insights on cracking the UPSC Prelims 2024 on the social media platform ‘X.’

In a post, the 2020-batch IFS officer acknowledged the formidable nature of the Prelims, branding it as the “most unpredictable and difficult stage” of the UPSC exam. Tyagi urged aspirants to channel their efforts into effective preparation, emphasizing the importance of tricks alongside a robust knowledge base. He underscored that tricks are only effective when built on a strong foundation of fundamentals, urging candidates to read extensively to fortify their understanding.

Tyagi stressed the significance of solving mock tests as a key strategy, advising candidates to determine their optimum number of tests for effective preparation. Encouraging individualized approaches, he highlighted the necessity of crafting one’s strategy rather than relying on spoonfeeding. Tyagi’s recipe for preliminary success encompassed a fusion of a solid knowledge base, logical reasoning skills, tricks, confidence, and an element beyond control—luck.

In closing, the IFS officer encapsulated his success mantra, reiterating that success in Prelims is achievable through meticulous efforts in areas under one’s control. Himanshu Tyagi’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of determination, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to one’s aspirations in the challenging realm of UPSC examinations.