IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Gives UPSC Aspirants Important Advice on Work Ethics, Failure, and Focus
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, a 2023 batch IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre, has established an own path through India’s civil services. He graduated from IIT Guwahati with a B.Tech in Civil Engineering and is originally from Patna, Bihar. Unlike many aspirants who enter UPSC with prior work experience or coaching exposure, Utkarsh began his path immediately after graduation, motivated solely by dedication and a disciplined method.
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, EARLY LIFE AND MOTIVATION
Growing up in a middle-class family in Patna, Utkarsh was taught the significance of education at a young age. His father, a retired government schoolteacher, instilled in him the value of learning as a way of life, thus academic discipline came naturally. This early upbringing influenced his outlook on both obstacles and opportunities.
The UPSC Journey
Utkarsh’s experience with the Union Public Service Commission was not instant. He took the mains in 2020, 2021, and 2022 before passing the test in 2022 with an All India Rank of 68. He describes each try as a learning experience, allowing him to fine-tune his plan and gain a better understanding of the exam and himself.
“I passed the exam on my third attempt. “The journey was long and difficult, but each attempt taught me something new and helped me improve my strategy for the next one,” he says.
PREPATION STRATEGY
One of Utkarsh’s main preparation tactics was to balance his physical and emotional wellness. “You cannot win this battle without focusing on both,” he says. He remained consistent through highs and lows, avoided obsessing on previous failures, and focused on tasks that were important in the present.
Interestingly, Utkarsh declined to attend regular classroom coaching. Instead, he used test series from coaching institutes to evaluate his performance and identify areas for improvement. This technique enabled him to remain independent, self-motivated, and systematic, boosting his confidence in his talents.
KEY MESSAGES/ADVICE
Utkarsh’s advise to aspirants is clear and based on his personal experience. His words encapsulate his main philosophy:
Failure Is Not a Comfort Zone.
“Don’t make failure your comfort zone. The core notion is straightforward: ‘If you’re going through hell, you must keep going.’ No matter how difficult things appear, patience eventually leads to progress and achievement.”
Control Your Actions and Reactions.
“We always have power over how we act and respond to things. Being aware of your behaviors and whether they contribute to your advancement is critical. Removing needless external distractions and creating unwavering self-belief are critical to keeping on course.”
Adopt a work ethic like Kobe Bryant.
“I recall watching a Kobe Bryant interview in which he stated that his advantage was not talent, but the shear amount of effort and hours he put in. Everyone has 24 hours, but how you use them makes all the difference. Adopt that mindset—hard work outperforms talent when talent does not work as hard.”
Overcome your fear of failure.
“More than failure, we are held back by our fear of failure. In this exam, you must fail early in practice so that you can perform well when it counts. Bad replies are to be expected at first, and learning from them repeatedly is the quickest way to improve. Accept failure as a path toward mastery.
Embrace monotony in preparation.
“Preparation will frequently feel repetitive, with many days feeling like perfect clones of the prior ones. There will not always be flashy highlights, but accepting the monotony and remaining steady is what eventually leads to success.
An example of determination
Utkarsh’s dedication was challenged even before he began his formal UPSC preparations. He tore his ACL in his fourth year of college, just as he was becoming serious about his preparation. Within 10 days of surgery, he was back at his study table. Utkarsh reflects on the experience, saying, “I always believed in my ability to push limits, and this moment reinforced that the exam is as much about determination as knowledge.”
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal’s experience demonstrates that success in the civil services is not about shortcuts or sheer talent—it is about maintaining a consistent focus, developing a strategic strategy, and learning from each setback. From a middle-class home in Patna to taking on responsibilities in the Gujarat cadre, his tale demonstrates how tenacity, daily effort, and deliberate choices can transform problems into chances and goals into reality.
