UPSC Plan B Careers better than IAS in 2026 | Vijender Masijeevi | | Jigyasu Agarwal Rebounce

What happens if you don't clear UPSC after spending years preparing for it? Are there good career opportunities beyond IAS and IPS? And when should an aspirant consider a Plan B?

In this episode of Please Sit Down – Casual Talk, Vijender Masijeevi speaks with Jigyasu Agarwal, founder of Rebounce, about the realities of UPSC preparation, the pressure surrounding government jobs, and career opportunities beyond civil services.

From coaching institutes and success stories to the importance of a Plan B, this conversation explores how UPSC aspirants can use their skills and knowledge to build careers in public policy, political consulting, startups, data science and AI.

Rebounce is India’s only organisation helping UPSC aspirants get into fulfilling and satisfactory careers beyond Civil Services. To know more, visit www.rebouncecareers.com

To support you in making a swift and smooth transition into rewarding careers, Rebounce is organising a completely Free masterclass
Topic- UPSC Plan B: Job Hunt Strategies for UPSC Aspirants
📅 Date: 18 October, Sunday
🕖 Time: 7 PM
📍 Platform: Zoom
🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WT1YvpdmQJOYIFSTHbSa6g#/registration

In this episode, we discuss:

- How many years should you spend preparing for UPSC?

- Why having a Plan B is important for aspirants

- Career options after UPSC preparation

- How to build a resume and develop job-ready skills

- Why UPSC should not become your entire identity

- How to transition into a career beyond civil services

About the guest

Jigyasu Agarwal is the founder of Rebounce and a former UPSC aspirant who now works to help aspirants explore alternative career paths.

If you're preparing for UPSC or figuring out what comes next, this conversation offers practical perspectives on career planning, alternative opportunities and life beyond a single examination.

Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think every UPSC aspirant should have a Plan B?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction
03:01 – Why are Indians so obsessed with UPSC and government jobs?
04:12 – UPSC selection rates and the coaching industry's influence
05:08 – Are unrealistic dreams being sold to UPSC aspirants?
09:30 – Why having a Plan B is important
10:01 – How privilege affects UPSC selection
11:50 – Is the examination system creating false hopes?
12:18 – The role of coaching institutes, media and government
13:05 – Why do we hear only UPSC success stories?
15:04 – Should UPSC attempts be limited?
19:26 – Are two years and two attempts enough?
20:24 – What should a UPSC aspirant's Plan B look like?
25:59 – Four stages of becoming emotionally attached to UPSC
27:55 – Why don't coaching institutes promote alternative careers?
29:10 – How coaching institutes use success stories to sell hope
30:53 – Why Jigyasu started Rebounce
32:31 – Career options beyond UPSC
37:08 – Is Rebounce also selling success stories?
37:50 – Government exams vs private-sector job opportunities
39:25 – Why some aspirants return to UPSC even after getting jobs
40:48 – Why having a backup plan doesn't mean giving up
41:28 – How Rebounce helps former UPSC aspirants
41:39 – Career opportunities in startups, AI and data science
42:40 – Four major challenges in finding a job after UPSC
44:52 – Are there enough jobs for former UPSC aspirants?
45:40 – Why leaving UPSC can feel like a breakup
48:10 – Why UPSC preparation needs a time limit
49:01 – Closing remarks and thanks

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About Dr Vijender:

Dr Vijender Chauhan is an educator, UPSC Interviewer and Motivational speaker with an experience of over a decade. He is one of the most recognised faces among the UPSC aspirants.

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