In an education landscape dominated by commercial coaching giants and vague motivational clichés, Divey Sethi, a distinguished IRS officer of the 2014 batch, is bringing clarity, strategy, and realism to India’s civil services preparation scene through his insightful and bold guidebook, Crack Civil Services in First Attempt.
An IIT Roorkee alumnus and former Indian Engineering Services (IES) officer, Divey Sethi secured AIR 295 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2013 and has since committed himself to mentoring aspirants from across the country. With this fourth edition of his book—now published by Notion Press in 2024—he delivers not just a plan but a purpose-driven strategy to navigate one of India’s most competitive exams.
Beyond Motivation: A Blueprint for Real Results
Unlike the countless generic books and advice columns that romanticize the civil services journey, Sethi’s book cuts through the noise. “This is not a book about abstract success mantras,” Sethi emphasizes. “This is a practical playbook that helps you study smarter, not harder—by teaching you what to study, when, and more importantly, what not to study.”
With razor-sharp focus, the book challenges the coaching industry’s unchecked commercialization and offers a sustainable self-study model. It guides aspirants through tough decisions like choosing the right optional subject, managing time efficiently, and preparing for the UPSC interview from day one.
One of the book’s core propositions is “Investing just 2 hours in this book could save you 2 hours of ineffective study each day.”
A Decade of Cracking Exams – A Voice of Authentic Experience
From cracking IIT JEE and GATE to topping SSC and IES, Divey Sethi’s academic journey is nothing short of phenomenal. Between 2003 and 2013, he built a reputation for conquering India’s toughest competitive exams—eleven of them, to be precise. That decade of relentless preparation, trial-and-error, and introspection forms the core of the book’s wisdom.
As someone who has personally walked the path, Sethi brings unmatched credibility and empathy to the table. “This book is a product of experience—not just mine, but of other successful candidates and the mistakes of many who couldn’t make it,” he shares.
Reframing Purpose, Rejecting Pretence
A bold and introspective voice within the book urges aspirants to dig deep and discover the real reason behind their pursuit of civil services. “You don’t need to broadcast your ‘why’ on social media,” Sethi writes, “but you need to know it clearly—because your interview panel will.”
The book encourages aspirants to start preparing for the UPSC interview not at the end of their journey—but right from the day they pick up their first textbook. In a world that rewards authenticity, this mindset shift could be game-changing.
Looking Ahead: TEDx, Thought Leadership, and More
As Divey Sethi continues to grow his influence through writing, mentoring, and speaking, he sets his eyes on the TEDx platform to further amplify his message of strategic, conscious preparation for competitive success.
His work has already garnered attention across platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Goodreads, and UPSC forums, and his Quora page is a popular destination for civil services insights.
“I believe authenticity, love, and compassion are the highest human values,” says Sethi. “These aren’t just virtues—they’re tools that sharpen your clarity, discipline, and resilience during one of the toughest journeys of your life.”
About the Author
Divey Sethi is an Indian Revenue Service officer (2014 batch), currently serving as Deputy Commissioner, GST, Kolkata. A Civil Engineering graduate from IIT Roorkee, he is also a former IES officer. With over a decade of experience in acing national-level examinations, Sethi authored Crack Civil Services in First Attempt to offer a strategic, no-nonsense approach to UPSC preparation.
Get the Book
Crack Civil Services in First Attempt is available now in its 4th edition on:
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