A heartfelt post by a UPSC aspirant who couldn’t crack the exam is winning hearts across the internet not for the failure, but for the quiet tribute to her journey. Aditi Jaiswal, a qualified engineer, recently posted a nostalgic picture on X (formerly Twitter) of more than 100 pens she used during her two-year-long UPSC preparation.
"Just used pens for more than 2 years of UPSC preparation!" she wrote in the caption, inspiring a wave of encouragement and anecdotes from aspirants.
In the earlier post, Aditi shared that she finished her BA from Calcutta University in 2020 and took the UPSC prelims in 2022 and 2023, but regretfully couldn't clear both attempts. Realising that she needed to be financially independent, she started studying web development, which led her to get an internship and a job a switch many commended as being both brave and practical.
The post touched a chord with many, and users swamped the comments with their own experience:
"Approx 1.5 years into judicial services prep and still going strong," one user shared.
Netizens' Reaction | X
"My pen collection from 2015–2018 tells my own story—SSC CGL, CHSL, NTPC cleared. Now a revenue inspector under state PSC," wrote another.
Netizens Reactions | X
"People crave success stories, but no one listens to failure stories. You're still in the fight as long as you keep going," another user said.
"Would advise not to spend more than 2 years. Personal growth matters too," another user shared.
"This pen collection shows your grit and effort. Wishing you great success in your next chapter!," one user said.
Aditi’s post has sparked a larger conversation online about the emotional and mental investment aspirants pour into competitive exams and how every pen, every notebook, and every late night is a story in itself.
What started as a simple picture is now a viral symbol of silent perseverance, reminding many that failure isn't the end it's just the beginning of a new path.
