India, March 11 -- Clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is widely regarded as one of the toughest achievements for aspirants in India, a journey that inspired National Award-winning film 12th Fail (2023). Living that reality is Apurva Verma, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), currently posted at the Chittaranjan Park Police Station in Delhi. She recently secured All India Rank (AIR) 42. The 29-year-old cleared the exam in her sixth and final attempt. "Though it was my last attempt, I was very calm and relaxed while preparing," she says, adding "I've been serving in the police for four years and often deal with stressful situations that require logical thinking and problem solving. I just applied that learning to my preparation." Balancing a demanding job with studies was challenging: "There were sleepless nights after handling crimes or protests when I wondered, 'Kya main yeh kar sakti hoon?'" Verma found new-age ways to prepare while on duty. "I used to study on my iPad. When I was out patrolling, it wasn't possible to take out books, so I focused on listening to video lectures." She credits her husband, Kaushik Mangera of the Indian Railway Traffic Service, for being a strong support. "While I focused on execution, he helped with planning," she says. For aspirants, she believes there is no single formula: "Everyone's journey is unique. Identify your strengths and weaknessesand then get to matching these with the requirements for the exam. Difficulties will arise, but you have to continue. Always remember that hard work never goes waste."...