7 Backup Career for UPSC Aspirants. There are plenty of options when it comes to government exams. One can appear for exams such as state PSC, SSC, RRB, RBI and CAPF. These exams are a bit easier, and the level of competition is lesser than that of UPSC Civil Service Exams.
Despite extreme hard work and dedication, a few aspirants fail to clear the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Some clear the exam and yet opt out of it because not all taste success after bagging a position. In such a case, one should look for alternative career options instead of being disappointed and considering yourself a failure. Here are some backup options for the aspirants.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is known for its formidable challenges. Attaining success in these endeavors is far from assured, and many aspirants encounter setbacks along the way. Notably, even individuals of prominence have grappled with the complexities of this examination. Nevertheless, the rigorous preparation required for this test cultivates essential habits that can contribute to a prosperous career. In this article, we will delve into alternative career pathways for UPSC aspirants and address three frequently asked questions regarding these backup options.
State Public Service Commissions (PSCs)
State Public Service Commissions (PSCs) are constitutional bodies in India that are responsible for the recruitment of state government employees. They are governed by Article 315 of the Constitution of India, which states that there shall be a Public Service Commission for every State.
PSCs are independent bodies and are not subject to the control of the state government. They are responsible for conducting recruitment examinations, selecting candidates for appointment to state government posts, and advising the state government on matters relating to public service.
There are 38 PSCs in India, one for each state and union territory. The composition of a PSC varies from state to state, but it typically consists of a chairman, a few members, and a secretary. The chairman and members of a PSC are appointed by the Governor of the state, and they hold office for a period of six years.
PSCs conduct a variety of examinations to recruit candidates for state government posts. These examinations include civil service examinations, judicial service examinations, and examinations for other posts such as police officers, teachers, and engineers.
Central Government Jobs
Central Government Jobs are jobs that are offered by the Central Government of India. These jobs are typically advertised in newspapers and on the websites of the various government ministries and departments.
There are many different types of central government jobs available, including:
- Civil Service Jobs: Civil Service jobs are some of the most prestigious jobs in India. These jobs are typically held by people who have passed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. Civil Service jobs include positions such as IAS, IPS, and IFS officers.
- Defense Jobs: The Indian Armed Forces offer a variety of jobs, including positions in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These jobs can be challenging and rewarding, and they offer good salaries and benefits.
- Technical Jobs: The Central Government also offers a variety of technical jobs in fields such as engineering, science, and medicine. These jobs are typically held by people who have a technical degree or diploma.
- Administrative Jobs: There are also a variety of administrative jobs available in the Central Government. These jobs typically involve working in offices and performing tasks such as data entry, file management, and customer service.
Teaching
Teaching is a rewarding career option for UPSC aspirants. It is a noble profession that allows you to make a difference in the lives of your students. Teaching also offers a number of benefits, such as:
- Job satisfaction: Teaching can be a very satisfying job. It is rewarding to see your students learn and grow.
- Flexibility: Teaching offers a great deal of flexibility. You can choose to work full-time, part-time, or as a substitute teacher. You can also choose to teach in a public or private school.
- Benefits: Teachers typically receive good benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Opportunities: There are many different opportunities available to teachers. You can teach at a variety of levels, from elementary school to college. You can also teach a variety of subjects, such as math, science, English, and history.
If you are interested in a career in teaching, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in education. Once you have completed your degree, you will need to obtain a teaching license. Teaching licenses vary from state to state, so you will need to check with your state’s department of education for more information.
Here are some tips for becoming a teacher:
Law
Law is a good backup career option for UPSC aspirants because it is a challenging and rewarding profession that offers a variety of career opportunities. Lawyers play an important role in society by upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of individuals and organizations.
There are many different areas of law that you can specialize in, such as corporate law, criminal law, family law, and intellectual property law. You can also choose to work as a litigator, who represents clients in court, or as a non-litigator, who provides legal advice and services outside of the courtroom.
To become a lawyer, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. Once you have completed your law degree, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you want to practice law.
Here are some of the benefits of pursuing a career in law:
- Challenging and rewarding work: Law is a challenging and rewarding profession. Lawyers have the opportunity to work on complex cases and to make a real difference in the lives of their clients.
- Variety of career opportunities: There are many different areas of law that you can specialize in, and there are many different types of law jobs available. You can choose to work in a law firm, in-house for a company, or for the government.
- Good salary and benefits: Lawyers typically earn a good salary and receive good benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans.
Media and Journalism
Media and journalism is a good backup career option for UPSC aspirants because it is a challenging and rewarding profession that offers a variety of career opportunities. It plays an important role in society by informing the public about current events and by holding powerful people accountable.
There are many different areas of media and journalism that you can specialize in, such as print journalism, broadcast journalism, and digital journalism. You can also choose to work as a reporter, editor, producer, or videographer.
To become a media and journalism professional, you typically need to have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field. However, there are some entry-level jobs in media and journalism that do not require a college degree.
Here are some of the benefits of pursuing a career in media and journalism:
- Challenging and rewarding work: Media and journalism is a challenging and rewarding profession. Media and journalism professionals have the opportunity to work on important stories and to make a real difference in the world.
- Variety of career opportunities: There are many different areas of media and journalism that you can specialize in, and there are many different types of media and journalism jobs available. You can choose to work for a newspaper, magazine, television station, radio station, or website.