IAS officer Tapasya Parihar is a shining example of what can be achieved with consistency and diligent studying.

Without any external coaching, she secured an AIR of 23 in the Civil Service Exam (CSE) in 2017.

She began preparing for the exam after completing her five-year law course in 2015.

Though she attended a coaching centre, she soon realised she could not focus with 300 other aspirants in the same class.

Tapasya attempted the exam for the first time in 2016 but did not succeed.

However, her failure in the first attempt served as a great launch pad for Tapasya, who decided to study by herself this time.

She watched various topper interviews, read articles on different strategies, prepared her book list, and spent ample time-solving test papers.

“This allowed me to self-assess, and I used the time thereafter to work on the weaker sections,” she says.

Tapasya’s tips for aspirants: 1. Do not fear competition. 2. Do your due diligence. 3. Make a plan and stick to it.

Tapasya is currently posted as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh.