In a space flooded with information and overwhelmed by commercial coaching ventures, Divey Sethi, a distinguished IRS officer of the 2014 batch, emerges with a bold and authentic voice in the civil services preparation landscape. His acclaimed book “Crack Civil Services in First Attempt” returns in its 4th edition, offering aspirants a smart, structured, and brutally honest roadmap for acing India’s most prestigious examination.
An IIT Roorkee alumnus and former Indian Engineering Services officer, Divey Sethi’s decade-long success across India’s most competitive exams—from IIT JEE and CAT to UPSC CSE—makes him a rare example of strategic consistency in academic excellence. Securing AIR 295 in UPSC CSE 2013, he now serves as Deputy Commissioner, GST, Kolkata under the Ministry of Finance.
But it’s his candid, insightful reflections that set him apart.
“Hard work without direction is just noise,” says Sethi. “The book is about channelling that noise into symphony—smart, targeted preparation rooted in self-awareness and strategic discipline.”
A Wake-Up Call to the Coaching Industry
The book takes a stand against the unchecked commercialization of civil services coaching, where profit motives often blur genuine mentorship. Sethi critiques this trend, highlighting how aspirants are misled into quantity over quality and strategy. His book acts as a counterweight—not just a how-to manual, but a mental conditioning toolkit—helping readers identify their ‘why,’ prioritize what not to study, and internalize the habits necessary for success.
“This is not another motivational book preaching determination and the subconscious mind. This is a surgical strategy manual—real, replicable, and rooted in experience,” he asserts.
Why This Book Matters – Now More Than Ever
The latest edition comes with updated insights and refined tactics reflecting the changing nature of the UPSC exam and its evolving expectations. With a focus on introspection, optional subject selection, interview readiness from Day 1, and debunking myths, the book is essential reading for aspirants who don’t want to leave success to chance.
- Invest 2 hours in the book to save 2 hours each day of prep.
- Know your ‘why’ before you even pick up the syllabus.
- What not to study is just as vital as what to focus on.
A Personal Mission to Build Conscious, Authentic Leaders
Behind the bureaucrat and author is a deeply introspective thinker. Sethi believes that qualities like authenticity, compassion, and self-awareness must precede success—not follow it. His message to aspirants is clear: Don’t just aim to clear the exam. Aim to evolve in the process.
“You cannot bluff your way through the UPSC interview,” Sethi explains. “Interview prep begins the day you decide to prepare—not with mock sessions, but with inner clarity.”
From Book Pages to the TEDx Stage
Having impacted thousands through Quora, speaking forums, and readers of his earlier editions, Sethi now sets his sights on the TEDx platform—hoping to bring his bold, transformative ideas to a wider audience. With no corporate backing, coaching-centre alliances, or exaggerated promises, his voice stands apart for its clarity and candour.
About the Author
Divey Sethi holds a B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Roorkee (2007). After securing AIR 113 and AIR 13 in IES 2011 and 2012 respectively, he cracked the UPSC CSE with AIR 295 in 2013. As an officer in the Indian Revenue Service and Deputy Commissioner in Customs & GST, he now works at the intersection of governance and reform, while guiding aspirants through his writing and public engagements.
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