The UPSC Civil Services Personality Test is often called the final hurdle, but for many aspirants it feels like much more than that. It feels like years of effort, sacrifices, expectations, financial investment, self-doubt, and dreams compressed into 30–40 minutes of conversation. It is natural, therefore, for the mind to experience stress, fear, anxiety, and pressure.
Recognizing this intense psychological phase, La Excellence IAS Academy, in collaboration with Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, organized an enlightening and deeply calming session by Swami Bodhamayananda on:
“Handling Stress, Fear, Anxiety, and Interview Pressure.”
The session went far beyond conventional exam guidance. It focused on inner strength, attitude, clarity, and mental training, reminding aspirants that success in the interview is not only about what you know but also about how stable and centered you are.
Stress, fear, and anxiety — not weaknesses, but part of being human
Swami Bodhamayananda began by breaking a dangerous myth: that feeling anxious means something is wrong with you.
He emphasized:
Stress, fear, and anxiety are not signs of weakness.
They arise when expectations overpower awareness.
The UPSC journey is long, demanding and emotionally heavy. Aspirants naturally carry questions like:
- What if I fail after coming so far?
- What will my parents and relatives think?
- What will happen to my future?
The Swamiji gently pointed out that the existence of such thoughts is not the problem. The real problem is when we let these thoughts dominate, overpower, and paralyze us. Thoughts must be observed with awareness, instead of being unquestioningly believed.
He made an important distinction that brought visible relief to many students:
- The UPSC board does not judge your worth as a human being
- It merely evaluates your suitability for a specific administrative role
When this truth is internalized, the interview shifts from a “do-or-die battle” to a professional conversation, and the emotional load automatically becomes lighter.
Mind training — the missing element in UPSC preparation
Most aspirants spend years training their memory and intellect. They read books, make notes, attend classes, take tests, and revise endlessly. But as Swamiji pointed out, very few train their minds.
Just as the body needs physical exercise,
the mind needs discipline and direction.
Untrained minds:
- react impulsively under pressure
- magnify small fears into huge worries
- jump constantly between past regrets and future anxieties
A trained mind:
- remains anchored in the present moment
- thinks clearly even in difficult situations
- experiences fear but does not collapse under it
Swamiji shared simple, practical mind-training techniques that aspirants can easily integrate into their routine:
- slow, conscious breathing to calm the nervous system
- short moments of complete silence amidst study
- daily self-reflection or journaling to watch thoughts and emotions
- reducing negative media consumption during interview phase
These are not religious or ritualistic practices — they are psychological tools that build mental steadiness.
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“I am here to express, not impress” — changing the approach to the interview
One of the most impactful messages from the session was about performance pressure.
Pressure builds when the mind repeats:
- I must prove myself
- I must convince them I am the best
- I must not make any mistake
This mindset converts the interview into a stage performance, which naturally breeds anxiety. Swamiji suggested a powerful shift:
“I am here to express myself, not to impress anyone.”
When aspirants realize that the board is interested in:
- their thinking process
- balance and maturity
- clarity of expression
- honesty and integrity
the burden of “acting perfect” disappears. What remains is authentic conversation, which is exactly what the UPSC Personality Test values.
Accept uncertainty — the stress starts dissolving
A core theme of the talk was acceptance of uncertainty. Life itself is uncertain; exams are only one small part of it.
Swamiji reminded aspirants:
- Civil Services is one chapter, not the entire book of life
- Success does not define your greatness
- Your values, courage, compassion, and sincerity define who you truly are
When we fight uncertainty, stress grows stronger.
When we accept uncertainty, the grip of fear weakens.
This acceptance does not mean lack of ambition. It simply means:
- work with full sincerity
- detach from obsessive result-anxiety
- remain open to multiple futures
Such inner freedom actually improves interview performance, because the mind stops trembling under “what if” scenarios.
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Real-life inspiration: Story of Sanjana Simha (AIR 37 – UPSC 2022)
To show how inner strength shapes outer success, Swami Bodhamayananda shared stories of aspirants associated with Ramakrishna Math. Among them was Sanjana Simha, who secured All India Rank 37 in UPSC 2022.
Her journey highlighted that:
- disciplined mind
- value-based living
- emotional stability
can coexist beautifully with academic excellence. She drew strength from the atmosphere of the Math — silence, reflection, service, and clarity of purpose.
Stories like hers help aspirants understand that success is not just about hard study, but also about inner orientation and balance.
Experiencing calm: Guided 30-minute meditation session
The most memorable part of the program at La Excellence was the 30-minute guided meditation led by Swami Bodhamayananda.
He did not merely speak about meditation; he taught, demonstrated, and made students practice it. The session involved:
- relaxing each part of the body
- steady, gentle breathing
- observing thoughts without chasing them
- sitting with silence comfortably
Many aspirants experienced, for perhaps the first time, a quiet mind without restlessness. They realized that meditation is not about forcing thoughts away. It is about:
- watching thoughts
- letting them come and go
- discovering the stillness already present inside
Such practices, especially during the interview phase, help aspirants:
- sleep better
- manage overthinking
- speak calmly in the interview room
- face uncertainty with composure
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La Excellence IAS — supporting both preparation and wellbeing
This initiative reflects the broader philosophy of La Excellence IAS Academy: UPSC preparation is not just about producing rank holders, but about shaping balanced, ethical, service-oriented administrators.
By collaborating with Ramakrishna Math:
- emotional wellbeing becomes part of preparation
- aspirants receive guidance beyond books and tests
- stress management becomes structured and systematic
- students learn to anchor themselves in deeper values
In a competitive ecosystem often focused only on marks and test series, such initiatives create a refreshing, humane space where mental health and character are given equal importance.
Final message to aspirants
You do not need to become completely fearless. That is unrealistic and unnecessary.
What you truly need is:
- awareness of your emotions
- courage to act despite fear
- clarity about your values
- acceptance of uncertainty
Walk into the UPSC interview with this inner statement:
“I have worked sincerely.
I will express myself honestly.
The result will never be bigger than my life.”
The interview is not the final judgment of your worth.
It is simply one meaningful conversation in a long, beautiful journey of growth and service.
#Stressduringinterview. #Stressduringinterview. #Stressduringinterview. #Stressduringinterview
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