Regarding 2025 attempt

Hello

I need some help with a decision regarding this attempt. I am 28 and have resigned from my job 5 years back.

I have written 4 cse mains in 5 attempts with Geography optional and have not been able to clear any of them. Also I have written 3 Forest service mains in 4 attempts with geology and forestry but haven't been able to prepare for them, especially Geology.

If I appear in 2025 cse, it would be my final attempt and naturally I want to give my best shot. Another option is just appearing for Forest services and skipping CSE for this attempt (2 forest service attempts left).

I also have my state psc mains scheduled tentatively around March end/April as of now. This exam has almost all the syllabus and pattern overlap with Upsc cse mains. So I am already studying for mains as of now.

If I go for forest only, there are two considerations there, forest prelims cutoffs and second is that if I clear that, I would be studying for forest mains for the rest of the year. In that case wrt CSE 2026 in next January, I'd be in the same revision and prep levels that I am in right now for 2025. Also, it will stretch my cycle for another year till 2027.

There is a possible offer with my former employer at the end of this cycle (ie in late 2025) which can be extended if I clear the stages, till final result. Not sure if they would be willing to offer it at the end of 2026 attempt.

I had planned to go for "cse only" this year and to decide whether to attempt or not before prelims based on my prep and my state psc mains conclusion date and save my forest attempts for next two years. But then I got to know that there is an unprecedented 90 days gap this time between cse and forest mains and that's why I feel like I can prepare forestry and geology in that gap, if I go through prelims. Therefore I am confused what to fill in the form.

I am developing a bit of cold feet with respect to both cse in general and prelims (a stage where I have generally been very calm and composed and had rarely taken any pressure so far) this year probably coz it's the last. The pressure is getting to me.

I have topic wise notes for most topics in mains.

So can you please suggest what in your opinion would be the correct strategy.

Also I have given my attempts from Home city region and my parents are sceptical (for no rational reason) that I should try one attempt, atleast mains, from Delhi centre. They also feel that if I get through prelims and stay in Delhi for the intervening period, I'd be able to give offline tests of forum etc, which isn't possible in my hometown (only online tests, we do have offline Abhyaas here though).

But that poses logistical challenges of moving my books and stuff to Delhi, settling in new environment and mentally adjusting there, while also the transit time for tests etc (given I'd not prefer to stay in ORN like areas) after prelims result with hardly 60-65 days left for mains.

So please provide some input regarding this as well

I have attached the screenshot of scorecard of my 2023 attempt (2024 marksheet yet to be released)

Also some trends

Essay

1st mains - 134 2nd mains - 102 3rd mains - 93

Optional

1st mains - 213 2nd mains - 190 3rd mains - 250

Thanks a lot for reading and your suggestions

Hello

I need some help with a decision regarding this attempt. I am 28 and have resigned from my job 5 years back.

I have written 4 cse mains in 5 attempts with Geography optional and have not been able to clear any of them. Also I have written 3 Forest service mains in 4 attempts with geology and forestry but haven't been able to prepare for them, especially Geology.

If I appear in 2025 cse, it would be my final attempt and naturally I want to give my best shot. Another option is just appearing for Forest services and skipping CSE for this attempt (2 forest service attempts left).

I also have my state psc mains scheduled tentatively around March end/April as of now. This exam has almost all the syllabus and pattern overlap with Upsc cse mains. So I am already studying for mains as of now.

If I go for forest only, there are two considerations there, forest prelims cutoffs and second is that if I clear that, I would be studying for forest mains for the rest of the year. In that case wrt CSE 2026 in next January, I'd be in the same revision and prep levels that I am in right now for 2025. Also, it will stretch my cycle for another year till 2027.

There is a possible offer with my former employer at the end of this cycle (ie in late 2025) which can be extended if I clear the stages, till final result. Not sure if they would be willing to offer it at the end of 2026 attempt.

I had planned to go for "cse only" this year and to decide whether to attempt or not before prelims based on my prep and my state psc mains conclusion date and save my forest attempts for next two years. But then I got to know that there is an unprecedented 90 days gap this time between cse and forest mains and that's why I feel like I can prepare forestry and geology in that gap, if I go through prelims. Therefore I am confused what to fill in the form.

I am developing a bit of cold feet with respect to both cse in general and prelims (a stage where I have generally been very calm and composed and had rarely taken any pressure so far) this year probably coz it's the last. The pressure is getting to me.

I have topic wise notes for most topics in mains.

So can you please suggest what in your opinion would be the correct strategy.

Also I have given my attempts from Home city region and my parents are sceptical (for no rational reason) that I should try one attempt, atleast mains, from Delhi centre. They also feel that if I get through prelims and stay in Delhi for the intervening period, I'd be able to give offline tests of forum etc, which isn't possible in my hometown (only online tests, we do have offline Abhyaas here though).

But that poses logistical challenges of moving my books and stuff to Delhi, settling in new environment and mentally adjusting there, while also the transit time for tests etc (given I'd not prefer to stay in ORN like areas) after prelims result with hardly 60-65 days left for mains.

So please provide some input regarding this as well

I have attached the screenshot of scorecard of my 2023 attempt (2024 marksheet yet to be released)

Also some trends

Essay

1st mains - 134 2nd mains - 102 3rd mains - 93

Optional

1st mains - 213 2nd mains - 190 3rd mains - 250

Thanks a lot for reading and your suggestions