In a nation where the Civil Services Examination remains one of the most prestigious and competitive gateways to leadership, very few have managed to decode the formula for success quite like Divey Sethi, IRS 2014 Batch, currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of GST, Kolkata, and author of the compelling guidebook, Crack Civil Services in First Attempt.
An alumnus of IIT Roorkee, a former IES officer, and a seasoned IRS officer (2014 batch), Divey’s decade-long odyssey of cracking the toughest entrance exams in India—ranging from IIT-JEE, CAT, SSC, IES, to UPSC-CSE—gives his advice an edge that only comes from real trenches.
In this exclusive interview, Divey opens up about his journey, the myths that plague civil service aspirants, and why his book is not just another motivational piece—but a practical roadmap with surgical precision.
Q: Divey, your resume reads like a “who’s who” of India’s toughest exams. What inspired you to write this book now—nearly a decade after cracking the UPSC CSE?
Divey Sethi:
The book was written right after the result of UPSC Civil services 2013 examination. I had skipped my foundation course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie to complete the book. This is the fourth edition of the book that had been published after a decade my experience into civil services. The inspiration wasn’t sudden. It had always been brewing. During my preparation and even after joining the IRS, I observed a consistent pattern—many aspirants were falling prey to misinformation and the ‘one-size-fits-all’ formula propagated by commercial coaching centres.
I published the first edition in 2015, soon after clearing CSE with AIR 295, but the fourth edition (2024) reflects updated insights, deeper empirical observations, and hard-hitting truths apart from the internal changes/transformation one has to do in order to increase the chances of success in civil services. The goal is to save aspirants time, effort, and energy by offering a clear strategy rather than recycled motivational fluff.
Q: So, what truly sets Crack Civil Services in First Attempt apart from the ocean of UPSC prep books?
Divey Sethi:
This is not another “how to be successful in life” book. I’ve stayed away from spiritual jargon or pseudoscientific motivation. Instead, this is a step-by-step manual—tailored strategies, curated timelines, critical “what not to study” sections, optional subject decision frameworks, and realistic time management.
Investing two hours reading this book will literally save you two hours every single day in your prep journey. That’s the ROI I promise.
Q: You take a strong stance against the big coaching industry in India. Why so?
Divey Sethi:
Because someone needs to call it out. Coaching institutes have turned into profit-driven businesses, exploiting aspirants emotionally and financially. They thrive on overpromising and under delivering.
I’m not against guided preparation—but I’m strongly against turning aspirants into dependents instead of self-learners. The book is a wake-up call to coaching dependency. If you understand the process, and if your preparation is goal-driven and internally motivated, you don’t need to rely on these money-churning machines.
Q: You emphasize “knowing the reason why you’re preparing” as crucial to success. Why is that so central in your philosophy?
Divey Sethi:
Because that why sustains you during your darkest hours. Many aspirants hide or blur their true motivations—even from themselves. But to succeed in UPSC, especially during the personality test stage, you must be brutally honest and self-aware.
In the book, I stress that interview prep begins on day one. You need to start with introspection. Know your reason, even if you can’t share it publicly. Clarity of purpose gives clarity of thoughts—and that’s what interviewers pick up on.
Q: Tell us a bit about your journey—from IIT to IRS. Were you always this driven?
Divey Sethi:
Not always. But I learned early how important strategy is. From cracking IIT-JEE in 2003, IES (AIR 113 in 2011, AIR 13 in 2012), and CSE in 2013, I saw how each exam required a unique approach. The common factor? Smart work with clear direction.
I devoted ten full years to cracking top-tier exams. This helped me identify patterns—and more importantly, avoid traps. My strength lies in recognizing what not to do. That’s a skill I hope the book imparts.
Q: With such a background, where do you see your personal brand heading next?
Divey Sethi:
I’m aiming for a TEDx Talk soon—because these ideas deserve a larger platform. I want to reshape how aspirants look at preparation, and even life. The book is the beginning; public speaking and policy inputs might be next.
Q: Final takeaway for the aspirants out there?
Divey Sethi:
Don’t just work hard—work consciously. Question your sources, your syllabus, and your purpose. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. The journey to becoming a civil servant is personal, and deeply transformative. This book is your roadmap—not just to success, but to clarity, authenticity, and efficiency.
About the Book:
Crack Civil Services in First Attempt by Divey Sethi, IRS
Available on: Amazon, Flipkart, Notion Press, Goodreads
A brutally honest, results-focused, and highly practical strategy guide for UPSC aspirants who want to avoid years of trial and error.
Follow Divey Sethi:
- Quora: Divey Sethi – UPSC Insights, Optional Selection Advice, Strategy
- Publisher Page: Notion Press – Divey Sethi
- Linkdin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/divey-sethi-45a86b250
