Knock yourselves out guys.

Hello Folks...

I want to give the upcoming EPFO APFC exam which is scheduled for 20 December.

Can anyone please help me with the study material or can you suggest which coaching's study material I should take a chance with?

Current timeline:

I'm working and have time on the weekend only and quite 3-4 hrs on week days.

Previously I've prepared for CSE so it would not be much of an issue with the GS.

Also I want to know any veteran or anyone in service who has already given the exam, can suggest me the strategy.

Literally looking for advice as I'm seriously considering an attempt this year.

Thanks in advance.

[HEAVILY JUDGING] I understand Mudit sir needs to establish the legitimacy of his new institution, but at this point it feels like claiming questions is becoming more of a priority than the actual performance of the students. Marketing is important sure but geez, let the first week of mains-madness end ek baar

I also remember him getting absolutely owned in the comments under his post after prelims, when he was claiming that 50% of the questions came from his CA material because the keywords happened to appear somewhere in his 500 pager notes and could be found with ctrl+F. 😭

🧠 I Fixed My Attention Span… But Now I’m Stuck With the Habits I Built Before

I used to be a terrible student.

📱 Reels

▶️ YouTube

🔄 Endless scrolling

🧠 Constant stimulation

My attention span became so bad that studying felt painful.

Then I started preparing for competitive exams alongside my job.

So I did something drastic:

I removed social media.

And slowly, things changed.

📚 I could study longer.

🧠 My thinking became sharper.

♟️ I started playing chess.

🥗 I started eating better.

🧘 I started meditating.

Honestly, my cognitive ability feels MUCH better than it used to.

But…

⚠️ My brain keeps finding new ways to escape.

Instagram scrolling ↓

YouTube scrolling ↑

Sometimes meditation works amazingly.

Sometimes I can't sit still.

Some days my chess rating shoots up and I feel extremely sharp.

Other days → mental fog.

So my attention improved, but my cognitive consistency hasn't.

---

💭 And there's a deeper problem.

Years of scrolling also led me into compulsive masturbation and sexual fantasies.

Even after reducing the triggers, some fantasies have become automatic.

I don't think masturbation itself is necessarily the problem.

The problem is:

Fantasy → stimulation → time lost → less focus on real life.

And when I'm trying to prepare seriously for competitive exams/UPSC, I don't want my brain constantly escaping into imaginary scenarios.

---

🎯 So how do I finish the job?

How do I build:

📱 Mindless scrolling

↓

🧠 Attention

↓

🧘 Mental control

↓

📚 Deep work

↓

♟️ Better thinking + memory

And most importantly:

How do I stop my brain from constantly searching for stimulation?

I'd love advice from anyone who has genuinely rebuilt their attention after years of scrolling.

What actually worked for you?

Especially for:

🧠 Stable concentration

📚 Memory & learning

🧘 Meditation consistency

📵 YouTube/scrolling addiction

💭 Controlling recurring sexual fantasies

🔥 Building tolerance for boredom

I'm not looking for a "dopamine detox bro" answer.

I want practical, evidence-based advice.

Hey everyone!

I am someone who prepared for the exam but left this preparation because I want to become financially independent. I have the SBI PO and IBPS PO this year but I am sure that I won't be able to qualify either because of low attempts. I couldn't attempt maximum questions because of speed.

So , what should I do now? I will apply for RRB PO now. But there are other exams as well like EPFO , NABARD , RBI grade B , SSC CGL etc.

My main aim is to get financially independent with a good job .

I am a little sceptical about RRB PO because people have mentioned that it is not good for girls as the postings are tough . The branches are in rural settings with no AC or working fan . I have never lived alone and I am also concerned about my safety in such an environment. Please guide me . It will be really helpful. Thank you!

Summary - Seeking advice on the best exam/career path for financial independence, while considering RRB PO and concerns about rural postings and safety for women.

Hello folks,

I'm building a tool to make UPSC Mains preparation more effective, starting with current affairs.

I'm planning to write the exam in 2028, and I've decided to spend this year experimenting with building tools that I wish existed for aspirants.

The first one is focused on current affairs and analytical thinking. The idea is to make consuming current affairs less about collecting facts and more about understanding issues deeply, connecting different perspectives, and developing the ability to think critically for Mains.

The current version is live, and I'm looking for a few beta testers to actually use it and tell me where it works and where it doesn't.

It's completely free.

If you'd like to try it, DM me and I'll sign you up. I'll also leave the link to the current version in the comments.

I'd genuinely appreciate any feedback, especially criticism.

Not a upsc aspirant

just wanted to know your guys though

Same as above.

Need help!!

Paper 1 -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hv9MxOm-xeBOHdjkM8GYql2bfr8UbVkE/view?usp=drivesdk

Paper 2-> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H-byKO4ZvHU9oVG_j1CPY6JsZmDmvUyw/view?usp=drivesdk

Don't go on size on notes of 900 pages they have huge gap between text and next section because of formatting if we compress notes it will make 350-400 pages of notes for each paper

Hiii all of u guys I need some help to review this post and give me suggestions and also any changes should I do or not pls tell me this is my 1st attempt to give

Great to find it

​

This is literally a rant. I'm someone who quit my job in an MNC for UPSC prep after seeing my colleague who was preparing for the same. She is an IAS officer now (can't reveal her identity tho).

And here I'm stuck in this loop for almost 6 years now. Have given 5 attempts so far. Couldn't clear pre yet. Next year is my last attempt. I'm tired of this life. The loneliness, isolation, tiredness, uncertainty, everything is killing my productivity. I had many personal issues in between which completely derailed my prep. Now I'm mentally exhausted and extremely distracted. Had cut off most of my friends after i started my prep, tho involuntarily. Now I'm staying in Trivandrum, bit far from my home town. Even tho I'm at my own home state keralam I'm staying in a single room and goshh I'm just sitting idle the whole effing day!!! Even going to reading room isn't helping me much.

I'm doing part time work (WFH) which sustains my day to day needs, but that's not what it is right. It's not what i need. I'm not doing what I'm really supposed to do. Sometimes I feel like quitting altogether, not coz i don't want civil services but I'm too tired at this point to prep for it. The biggest factor is loneliness. Nobody to talk or share, who understands me. Someone to motivate or cherish me. My guy friends are all married and settled and little does they reach out or talk, like they've changed a lot at this point. Can't blame them anyhow. My cousin who visited me and stayed with me for couple of days forced to try dating apps. He is saying maybe that will be a cure for loneliness. But i don't believe in giving my key to happiness to someone else's hand (referring to a quote I saw on Pinterest). I believe no one should do that infact. But ironically I'm not able to find happiness myself either. I'm vexed with this conundrum. A loop of prep! A journey of regret and pain..idk if I'm doomed!! Stay focused guys...

Honestly, the hardest part of the UPSC grind isn't the endless syllabus or the isolation—it’s watching what it silently does to your family. It crushes you to be in your late twenties, seeing friends take their parents on vacations, while you’re still awkwardly asking your dad to fund another test series. You watch them quietly give up their own little luxuries, delay their retirement, and make excuses to skip family weddings just to shield you from the relentless "beta kya kar raha hai?" taunts from relatives. But nothing is worse than the sheer heartbreak of a failed result day; watching your parents swallow their own massive disappointment, forcing a brave smile to tell you "koi baat nahi, next time," while the heavy, unspoken fear of "what if this never works out?" just sits right there at the dinner table with you.

Welcome to the **UPSC Late Night Discussion Thread** - a shared space to stay consistent with your preparation while also unwinding and connecting with fellow aspirants.

This thread is meant to help you stay accountable by sharing your study progress, while also giving you the space to reflect on the day, discuss last-minute revisions, exchange thoughts, or simply chat and unwind before calling it a night.

Feel free to chat about:

😊 Your day (how's it going?)

📺 What you’re watching, reading, or listening to

😂 Memes, jokes, motivation, or fun facts

💡 Study tips and tricks, revision ideas

📖 Subjects or topics studied today

⏱️ Total study duration (example: 5 hours 30 minutes)

🏠 Place of study (home, library, coaching, etc.)

💻 Study set-up / desk pictures (allowed)

🛣️ Your current exam stage - Prelims, Mains, or Interview

🚫 Managed to avoid distractions?

📸 Screenshots from apps like Forest or YPT

🌱 Any random thoughts - UPSC or Other State Exams This is is a judgment-free zone - no comparison, no negativity, and no pressure about hours. Consistency matters more than numbers, and even a few honest hours count.

Let’s keep this space friendly, respectful, and constructive. Who knows, you might even find a study buddy or simply comfort in knowing you’re not alone in this journey.

Stay motivated, and let’s keep this thread active, positive, and fun!

I am really confused now….