Alternative Career Paths After UPSC: Opportunities Beyond Civil Services

Failure is a part of life—something that every UPSC aspirant has been told. UPSC is one of the most prestigious exams in our country, and it is also one of the toughest ones to crack. Clearing the UPSC exam will surely make your dreams come true; however, things don’t always go as you want.

Every year, only a handful of UPSC applicants are selected for civil services. In 2023, only 1016 candidates were recommended for appointment out of the lakhs of students who applied.

Hence, having a plan B - a list of alternative career options after UPSC might come in handy. This safety option helps you get started without wasting much time after UPSC. There are many career options that you can explore. Let’s check out some of the alternative career routes after UPSC.

Alternative Career Routes After UPSC

If you are unable to clear your UPSC exams, you need not worry. It is not the end of the world. There are several UPSC failed candidates career options career options that you can explore. Here is a list of alternative career opportunities after UPSC:

1. Other government exams: If your goal is to serve the nation, there are several other government exams that you can try. Being a UPSC aspirant does have its perks. The syllabus for many government exams is similar. So you will have the upper hand. These exams include state PSC, RRB, TET, SSC, CAPF, RBI, etc. Let’s understand what these exams are:

• State PSC: Every Indian state conducts competitive State Public Service Commission (PSC) exams to appoint candidates for state-level civil service positions. To clear this exam, aspirants should work on their general knowledge, maths, and English. Analytical and problem-solving skills are other focus areas.

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• RRB: The RRB exams are conducted to recruit non-technical staff for the Indian Railways. For candidates who want a non-civil services career after UPSC but still want to work for the government, the railway is a great choice. Some of the job roles include traffic assistant, clerk, goods guard, station master, etc. These jobs are divided into four categories - groups A, B, C, and D. There are different categories of RRB exams:
• RRB NTPC
• RRB ALP
• RRB SI Exam
• RRB JE Exam
• RRB Group D
• TET: The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is conducted in India according to the guidelines of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE). It is organised to appoint teachers for government schools.
• SSC: The Staff Selection Commission is part of the Ministry of Personnel and Training. SSC organises several exams to appoint officials in different government departments. Some of these exams are SSC CGL, SSC GD, SSC JE, SSC CPO, SSC GD, etc.
• CAPF: The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) has seven security forces in India. Every force has its cadre of officers headed by an IPS officer. UPSC conducts the CAPF exam for the Assistant Commander post. The main roles of these officers are to maintain internal security and guard the border.
• RBI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of the nation, regulating the entire banking system in India. Every year, RBI conducts examinations to recruit eligible candidates. The salary, perks, work profile, and career opportunities make it a lucrative job role.

1. Journalism and media: For UPSC candidates who have a knack for current affairs, a career in journalism and media can be the right path. Journalists should be effective communicators. These professionals write and assemble news stories that will interest their audience.

Journalists also interview sources, including experts, officials, and crime witnesses, to gather insights, quotes, and perspectives. These individuals are also responsible for fact-checking the information they publish.

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3. Higher studies after UPSC: How about a career in academics after UPSC? Pursue a master’s degree and PhD. Academia is an absolutely rewarding career. Pursuing a PhD will make you eligible for lecturer or professor posts at reputed universities. You can even tutor UPSC aspirants, sharing with them your learnings and mistakes**.**
4. MBA: If your goal is private sector jobs after UPSC, pursuing an MBA can help you get high-paying job roles in the private sector. In India, several entrance exams, such as CAT, MAT, XMAT, etc., are conducted for admission to the top business schools.

Clearing these exams is not easy. It would help if you used the same momentum you had during your UPSC preparation. MBA graduates are offered managerial roles. You can choose your MBA specialisation according to your interest.

5. Law and Judiciary: Becoming a lawyer or magistrate is a challenging yet rewarding journey that requires immense dedication. To become a lawyer in India, you will need to qualify for the bar exam. A lawyer upholds the law of the country and defends the rights of citizens in court.

An advocate is also qualified to offer legal advice. These professionals research and interpret laws and regulations. Lawyers can work in various settings, such as non-profit organisations, corporate legal departments, or private law firms.

6. Non-profit organisation: If you are not looking for jobs after UPSC and have a zeal for working towards the betterment of society, you can join a non-profit organisation. Engaging in social work can help you make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

You can work at a local food bank, homeless shelter, adoption centre, old age home, or similar organisation. You can also choose to provide training and skills development sessions to empower people in need. This is an extremely rewarding career route.

7. International relations: When preparing for UPSC, you had to be up-to-date about current global affairs. If that is something that interests you, a career in international relations might be the path for you.

IR specialists communicate with government agencies, officials, civil organisations, and media houses. They analyse and review foreign issues. These professionals represent their country and maintain relations with other countries worldwide on behalf of their government.

Conclusion

Not being able to achieve a goal you have your heart set on can be demotivating. But you should not lose hope and always have a second option in mind. If you are wondering what to do after UPSC, check out the career options listed above.

However, choosing a career is not easy. If you want an expert’s opinion on which career path you should choose, book a counseling session with Amity Online. Their industry-experienced mentors will help you navigate your choices. They also offer many certified courses. Could you take a look at them too?

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