31 October 2024
This is a checkpoint for me. There are many thoughts swirling around, and I wanted to pause and reflect. Writing it out feels like the best way to make sense of it all.
Happy Diwali
First of all, happy Diwali! Yet, it doesn’t feel much like a holiday. I’m with my family, but my mind is somewhere else. Maybe it’s because my goal still feels distant, and I don’t feel free until I achieve it. It’s a bit like, “Until I win, I won’t stop…” I’m not sure if it’s right or wrong, but it’s what I feel.
Syllabus Coverage So Far
It’s been 156 days since I began my preparation on June 28, 2024. I’ve completed Geography, one of my core GS subjects, and I’m currently working on Environment and Ecology, which I expect to wrap up by mid-November along with Disaster Management. As for my optional subject, Geography, I estimate I’ve covered about 40% of the syllabus. Based on this pace, I should finish my entire syllabus by August or September next year, leaving roughly 7-8 months for revision and practice.
Reflecting on the Journey So Far
Honestly, I feel great. I feel content with my decision to pursue this, and I’m grateful I had the courage to take this step. I don’t know where it will lead me, but I’m okay with that because I’m genuinely enjoying the process. I can see myself growing into the person I want to become.
I didn’t start this journey solely to become an IAS, IFS, or IPS officer. Those are goals, but they’re not the only reasons I’m here. Like when I chose the IPM at IIM Bodhgaya, it wasn’t just about building a corporate career; it was the course content that drew me in. This preparation is similar—it’s the UPSC syllabus itself that excites me. I want to become an opinionated individual with a deeper understanding of the world, someone who is well-informed and aware of what’s happening around me. Of course, there are other reasons too, but this is a big part of it.
Conclusion
I understand my “WHY”—even if it’s not perfectly clear yet, I’m confident that with time, my journey will bring it into sharper focus.
Signing off,
Peeyush Verma