‘Competition is more in our head’: IAS officer shares advice for UPSC aspirants
An IAS officer who secured AIR 30 in UPSC has shared advice for aspirants, stressing the importance of confidence and self-belief.
Preparing for the UPSC civil services examination can be challenging, with lakhs of aspirants competing for a limited number of positions. An IAS officer who secured an impressive All India Rank of 30 has now shared a message for those preparing for the prestigious exam.

The video was shared on Instagram by photographer Ankit Kumar, who approached two women and asked them about their professions. One of them, Pari Bishnoi, introduced herself as an IAS officer and said she is currently serving as an Additional District Magistrate in Sikkim. The other woman, Palak, said she practises criminal law in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court.
‘The competition is more in our head’
When Ankit asked Pari what advice she had for people preparing for the civil services examination, she stressed the importance of confidence and self-belief.
“First thing is, belief and confidence are very important. Today, we see there is so much competition. Even when I started preparing, I thought, ‘Mera number kahan aayega?’ You see brilliant people all around from top universities. But I came from a very normal background, a very normal school and college,” she said.
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Pari added that aspirants often make the competition seem much bigger in their minds because of the pressure around them.
“The competition is more in our head. Real competition is actually very less. The people who are actually preparing are not as many as we think. We sometimes get troubled by the pressure around us,” she said.
She further encouraged aspirants to trust their preparation and not be intimidated by the scale of the examination.
“So, if you are preparing sincerely, it’s not that tough as it appears. It’s a mental game. UPSC is not just about clearing an exam. It’s a test of your mental strength and belief in yourself,” Pari said.
Take a look:
Internet reacts
The video prompted several reactions from viewers, with many praising the two women and Pari’s message to UPSC aspirants.
“Yes, she is Ms Pari Bishnoi, our District Collector from Pakyong, Sikkim. She is very energetic, kind-hearted and well-disciplined,” one person commented.
“I also want to become an IAS officer,” another wrote.
“Dynamic duo,” a user said.
“Confidence level on top,” read another comment.
“These two women clearly show that they are the law and order,” one person commented.
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“Deadly combo, IAS officer and lawyer,” another wrote.
“Bro found two gems,” a user added, while another highlighted Pari’s words: “Test of your mental strength.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
ABOUT THE AUTHORVaishali KapilaVaishali Kapila is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, where she covers internet culture, viral social media moments, human interest stories and workplace trends. She believes the best stories often come from ordinary experiences and everyday conversations. Through her stories, she aims to help readers understand not just what is trending, but why it matters. Born and brought up in Chandigarh and now based in Delhi, Vaishali has over five years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, she worked as a Sub Editor at NDTV, where she specialised in food and travel writing. Over the years, she has written and edited stories on recipes, nutrition, restaurants, destinations and travel trends, while building expertise in digital storytelling, search-driven journalism and audience-focused content. Today, her work spans a wide range of topics, including consumer issues, lifestyle, workplace trends and stories that reflect everyday life. She enjoys finding fresh angles, speaking with people and adding the context that helps readers make sense of a story. Vaishali holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism with a specialisation in New Media from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. When she is not working, Vaishali enjoys exploring new places, trying local food and documenting her experiences through a food Instagram page she runs with her husband. She also enjoys watching documentaries, learning about space and science, and exploring stories about different cultures and people.Read More

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