# IAS officer Pari Bishnoi tells UPSC aspirants competition is in their head 2026-08-22T09:36:31+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet IAS officer Pari Bishnoi, who secured All India Rank 30 in the UPSC examination, has advised aspirants that the perceived competition is largely in their minds. In a video shared on Instagram by photographer Ankit Kumar, Bishnoi introduced herself as an Additional District Magistrate in Sikkim and stressed that confidence and self-belief are crucial for success. Bishnoi said that while preparing, she felt intimidated by candidates from top universities despite coming from a normal background. She urged aspirants not to be troubled by external pressure, adding that the real competition is much smaller than imagined. "UPSC is not just about clearing an exam. It's a test of your mental strength and belief in yourself," she said. The video also featured Palak, a lawyer practising criminal law in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. Social media users praised both women, with one comment calling them a "dynamic duo" and another highlighting Bishnoi's message about mental strength. ## Indian Opinion Analysis This advice comes as UPSC prelims 2025 registrations are expected to open shortly, with over 10 lakh candidates typically applying for fewer than 1,000 vacancies. The civil services exam has a success rate below 0.1 percent, making mental resilience as important as academic preparation. Bishnoi's message echoes a growing emphasis on psychological readiness, with several coaching institutes now offering counselling sessions alongside test series. Aspirants should watch for the official UPSC notification expected in February 2025 for the next cycle. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Straight report of social media video content with reader reactions, no government or opposition framing. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Instagram, Pari Bishnoi, UPSC Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ias-officer-pari-bishnoi-tells-upsc-aspirants-competition-is-in-their-head/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ias-officer-pari-bishnoi-tells-upsc-aspirants-competition-is-in-their-head/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/