‘Consistency Beats Coaching’ — Pankaj Yadav on Clearing 7 Government Exams Through Self-Study

In an era where coaching institutes dominate the government exam ecosystem, the journey of Pankaj Yadav offers a refreshing counter-narrative. At the age of 30, while working full-time as an electrical engineer, he cleared seven state-level Provincial Civil Services (PCS) examinations without enrolling in any coaching institute. In this interview, Yadav shares the struggles, discipline, and strategy behind his success.

Q: Clearing even one government exam is difficult for many aspirants. How did your journey begin?

Pankaj Yadav: My journey was full of ups and downs. I was not a very good student during the initial days of my schooling. In fact, I nearly failed in three subjects at one point. That was quite a depressing time. Unfortunately, I can only remember one teacher who encouraged me and her words have stuck with me ever since: "If you can score only 60 percent, you can do anything in life." In fact, this statement almost rewired my thinking. With father's help, I arranged a study corner at our family shop and by regular studies, I started to gain my confidence back.

Q: You already had a stable career as an electrical engineer. What motivated you to prepare for government exams?

Pankaj Yadav:It is true that I was having a stable job and happy family life. Even then, deep inside, I have always felt a desire to serve the society. While I was watching many candidates preparing for government exams in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, their commitment left a mark on me. And then I made up my mind that I will give it a serious try.

Q: Most aspirants depend heavily on coaching institutes. Why did you choose self-study?

Pankaj Yadav:

I believed that discipline matters more than coaching. Coaching can guide you, but ultimately the effort has to come from within. Because I was working full time, I had to design my own study schedule. Self-study gave me flexibility and helped me focus only on the most relevant resources.

Q: Did you struggle with failure at any point? 

Pankaj Yadav:

Yes, I did. In fact, I failed on my very first attempt at the government exam. I was really down, but then I saw that failu... Instead of quitting, I gave up the things that were distracting me mostespecially social mediaand focused only on my prep. After some time, my consistency started producing results and I passed several exams during the following years.

Q: What kind of studying technique was instrumental in helping you pass seven government exams?

Pankaj Yadav:

It was quite a straightforward approach that required a lot of self-control: Dedicated Study Hours: Although I was working full time, I never missed studying a single day.

Few Study Materials: I just used a handful of highly recommended books. Study Regularly: Without breaks, study sessions help you remember the material better.

Practice Exams: With the help of test papers, I was able to get my problem-solving speed and quality up. Give more time to your weak points: I didnt just identify the subjects I was weak at, I made them the focus point of my study sessions.

Q: A lot of aspirants lose their drive mid-preparation. What suggestions would you give to them? 

Pankaj Yadav:

Motivation is a fluctuating feeling while discipline is permanent. If you do your study daily even on the days you dont have the sparksuccess will be yours.. Your background, age and financial situation must never be the reason for not going after your dreams.

Today, Pankaj Yadav’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that determination, smart preparation, and consistency can overcome even the toughest challenges. For thousands of government exam aspirants across India, his story proves that success is possible—even without expensive coaching or ideal circumstances.