In India, success in competitive exams often defines achievements. But what happens when the dream of becoming an IAS officer doesn’t materialise?
Jigyasu Agarwal, a 27-year-old engineering graduate from NIT Patna, knows this struggle all too well. After three attempts at the UPSC CSE, he decided to move on, realising the odds were stacked against him.
Jigyasu and his cousin, Akshat Agarwal, both faced challenges transitioning after UPSC. They realised the lack of guidance and support for aspirants who wished to navigate alternative career paths.
“Deciding an alternate career was difficult as I was an engineer by education, who worked in business strategy and later fell in love with policy and politics,” says Jigyasu.
Determined to address this gap, Jigyasu and Akshat launched ‘Rebounce’ in October 2023 — a social enterprise dedicated to supporting ex-UPSC aspirants in finding meaningful careers.
“When you start your civil services preparation, set a clear number of attempts in your mind. If it doesn’t work out, find another path to reach your ultimate goal,” advises Jigyasu.
Rebounce provides a range of services, including mentorship, upskilling, portfolio building, CV creation, interview preparation, and corporate referrals. These resources help candidates smoothly transition into new professional roles.
So far, Rebounce has helped over 300 ex-UPSC aspirants secure positions in public policy, impact consulting, NGOs, and corporate sectors.
“Instead of seeing gaps, recruiters should value the resilience, persistence, and holistic thinking that UPSC aspirants bring to the table,” emphasises Jigyasu.
Rebounce also organises free webinars and hosts the Plan B Diaries podcast, featuring success stories of former UPSC aspirants who are thriving in various fields.