Lucknow | May 29, 2026: Nikita Pandit still remembers the disappointment of missing the UPSC Mains cut-off by just a few marks. After years of preparation, long study hours, and repeated setbacks, those moments could easily have broken her confidence. Instead, they strengthened her resolve to continue.
That journey eventually led Nikita to secure Rank 24 in UPPCS 2024 and earn selection as Assistant Commissioner. Earlier this month, she also received her appointment letter following her selection through the Uttar Pradesh Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Examination.
Born in Roza Jalalpur village and raised in Ghaziabad, Nikita prepared largely through self-study, often studying 8–10 hours daily without relying heavily on formal coaching. Her journey was not only about clearing an examination, but also about staying mentally strong through failures, health challenges, and the emotional pressure that comes with years of competitive exam preparation.
Despite all this, she continued showing up every day, studying, revising, writing answers, and trusting the process even when results did not go in her favour.
In this conversation with UI NEWZ, Nikita Pandit speaks candidly about failure, consistency, mental resilience, and why she believes there is no shortcut to success.
Q. Congratulations on your success. How does this achievement feel at this stage of your journey?
Nikita: Thanks a lot. After seeing many failures and ups and downs, this achievement feels truly fulfilling. My journey was not a short one; it lasted around five to six years, and in the end, all the hard work, struggles, and difficulties I faced along the way felt worth it.
Q. Could you tell us about your academic journey and how your interest in public service developed over the years?
Nikita: I completed my 10th and 12th from Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan. Then I pursued engineering in Electronics and Communication from RKGITM, Ghaziabad. After that, I completed my Master’s in Public Administration, and currently I am pursuing Law from Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, Delhi University.
Becoming a civil servant was my childhood dream. But as I grew up, I realised there are many loopholes and flaws in society, and one cannot simply sit back and watch everything happening around them.
Since then, I decided to become part of the change, to work on the executive side and contribute directly rather than only discussing problems. I did not want to regret later in life that I had the opportunity to bring change but did not try.
Q. Competitive examinations often test candidates emotionally as much as academically. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your preparation journey?
Nikita: I faced several challenges during my preparation journey. One of the biggest setbacks was narrowly missing the UPSC Mains cut-off in consecutive attempts. I missed the cut-off by four marks in 2023 and by three marks in 2024.
There were also societal pressures related to marriage and unemployment, which many aspirants, especially women, often experience during long years of preparation.
Alongside this, there were health-related challenges as well. Studying for long hours every day and dealing with uncertainty can become mentally exhausting. During this phase, I also suffered from PCOS due to stress-related issues.
Despite all this, I continued moving forward because I believed consistency matters more than temporary setbacks.
Q. Looking back now, what preparation strategies or habits helped you remain disciplined and consistent throughout the process?
Nikita: In my initial years of preparation, I was quite confused. Due to a lack of proper guidance, I used to study multiple resources for the same subject, which often created more confusion than clarity. One thing I would advise aspirants is to avoid collecting too many study materials. Keep your resources limited and revise them consistently.
Consistency is extremely important in this process. There will definitely be days when you feel like giving up or not studying at all, but even then, you have to keep going. Short breaks are fine, but losing continuity completely can affect your momentum.
Perseverance also plays a major role. This examination is not easy, and there is never any guarantee of success. But if your efforts are sincere and properly directed, every step takes you closer to your goal.
My day usually started with reading the newspaper, followed by subject-wise study. I preferred studying two subjects simultaneously because focusing on only one subject throughout the day felt monotonous to me.
I believe answer writing should be practised regularly, especially between the Prelims and Mains stages. Revision is equally important because the better you understand concepts, the more effectively you can present them in the examination.
At the same time, aspirants should also take care of their physical and mental health through walking, exercise, or any activity that helps refresh the mind.
Q. What qualities do you think are absolutely essential for aspirants preparing for competitive examinations today?
Nikita: First of all, you need to be truthful to yourself. There is no shortcut to success, and hard work is unavoidable.
Perseverance, persistence, patience, and consistency are essential because this process may last one year or several years.
Aspirants should remain regular in their efforts. You cannot study intensely for one day and then stop for several days. Discipline matters more than temporary motivation.
Whenever you feel like giving up, just remember why you started in the first place.
Q. What would you like to say to students who feel discouraged because of failures or intense competition?
Nikita: If you truly feel you can do it, then give your hundred per cent so that later you do not regret that you had the opportunity but did not try enough.
People will often tell you that competition is too high or that the success rate is very low. But instead of getting disheartened, have faith in your own efforts and continue moving forward.
Q. As you begin this new phase of responsibility, what kind of contribution or impact would you like to make through your role?
Nikita: Since I have been selected as Assistant Commissioner in the taxation department (GST), I would like to contribute toward strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s economy.
I will try my best to minimise discrepancies, reduce tax evasion, and ensure smoother implementation within the system while working with honesty and responsibility.
At UI NEWZ, we remain committed to bringing forward grassroots stories that inspire change and reflect the real impact of sustainable development. Every community has voices and stories worth sharing. If you know inspiring individuals or local initiatives creating a difference, write to us at info.uinewz@gmail.com.