Behind the revered title of civil servants lies a high-stakes journey fraught with emotional turmoil. A 2023 survey of board UPSC aspirants found that 53.3% rated their mental health as poor or somewhat poor - a stark indicator of the psychological burden borne by those preparing for one of the toughest exams in India.

Research using the GHQ-12 tool confirms this: a significant number of aspirants report moderate to severe psychological distress, exacerbated by financial pressures, emotional exhaustion, isolation, and relentless expectations.

Tragedies underline the urgency. In May 2025, a 25-year-old aspirant named Priyanshi Sugandhi died by suicide, citing loneliness, depression, and overwhelming self-expectations in her note.

This distress is part of a broader trend: India recorded over 13,000 student suicides in 2021, making mental health a national concern—not just for aspirants.

To counter this, peer and familial support play vital roles in fostering resilience during preparation. Initiatives like survival guides for exam stress and counseling cell models are helpful, but coaching centers and aspirant communities must urgently integrate structured mental wellness programs—from awareness and counseling to sleep and time-management strategies.