Why Students Keep Chasing UPSC | Indian's Obsession with Government Jobs | Saloni Khanna Explains

India’s UPSC obsession runs much deeper than just getting a government job. For millions of young Indians, UPSC represents security, status, respect and success. But somewhere along the way, the exam has also become a source of immense pressure, repeated attempts and difficult personal sacrifices. In this episode, host Divya sits down with Saloni Khanna for a candid conversation about the realities of India’s education and examination system. From the obsession with IAS and government jobs to the coaching ecosystem, repeated UPSC attempts and the pressure on young Indians, they question what we rarely stop to examine: Is the UPSC dream transforming lives, or are we asking an entire generation to sacrifice too much for it? In this conversation, Divya and Saloni Khanna explore: India’s obsession with UPSC and government jobs Why aspirants get trapped in the cycle of repeated attempts Whether entrance exams are a fair measure of capability The coaching ecosystem built around competitive examinations The rising cost of education and its impact on students The pressure of competition, family expectations and academic success How much sacrifice an exam should demand from a young person Whether relationships are a distraction or a support system during UPSC preparation What it really means to be articulate as an aspiring civil servant The deeper problems facing students beyond exam pressure and employment The relationship between bureaucracy, incentives, political pressure and accountability Why files, decisions and processes can move so slowly within the bureaucracy What needs to change if India were to redesign its education system Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:48 Why students are stuck with UPSC dream? 06:00 Why unemployment has gone up? 11:14 How to prepare students for uncertainty? 16:39 Can we teach emotional intelligence? 20:44 Top 3 challenges students are facing 28:10 Ideal numbers of attempts for entrance exams 35:21 Do we really need reservation? If yes, until when? 44:45 Relationships - Distraction or Support system? 49:45 Life advice from Saloni Khanna This conversation goes beyond UPSC preparation. It is about ambition, education, pressure, bureaucracy and the way India defines success. Watch Divya and Saloni Khanna unpack the uncomfortable questions surrounding the Indian education system, the UPSC journey and the price young Indians may pay in pursuit of success. Follow and Connect with Divya Jain - Instagram:   / divsjain   Instagram:   / thedivyajainpodcast   Facebook:   / 61574076907664   LinkedIn:   / divyajainseekho   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033vlaA... ❤️ Enjoyed the episode? ✅ Like the video 🔔 Subscribe for more real, powerful conversations 💬 Comment: Which part of this episode inspired you the most? #divyajainpodcast #divyajain