BPSC Success Story: Smart use of AI, digital tools very helpful in Mains preparation, says Rocky Rajak

Rocky Rajak has been selected as a Revenue Officer in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), securing 3856th position in the merit list. Born in Samsa village of Begusarai and raised in Delhi, Rocky’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience, self-belief, and the sacrifices of a single mother who ensured her son received a quality education despite immense challenges. In this exclusive conversation with BiharConnect, Rocky Rajak speaks about his preparation strategy, struggles, success mantras, and his vision for Bihar as a future administrator.

Please tell us about your education and family background.

I was born in Samsa village in Begusarai, Bihar, but grew up in Delhi. I completed my schooling in Delhi and later earned a B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering from DCRUST, Sonipat, Haryana. There are three members in my family—my mother, my sister, and me. My mother is a single parent and has no formal education, yet she made extraordinary sacrifices to ensure that I received a good education and strong values. Whatever I have achieved today is largely because of her relentless efforts and unwavering belief in me.

What motivated you to pursue a career in Civil Services?

There were two major reasons. First, I always wanted to give back to society. Much of what I have achieved is because society supported me. I received free education in a private school and educational assistance from several individuals and NGOs because of my academic performance and efforts. Second, I wanted a dynamic and meaningful career—one that offers not only a respectable livelihood and financial stability but also an opportunity to contribute positively to society and bring change to people’s lives.

How many attempts did it take to achieve success, and what was your preparation journey like?

This was my first attempt at the BPSC examination, but my Civil Services journey began in 2022. During this period, I appeared in three UPSC Preliminary examinations. My preparation for UPSC gave me a strong foundation in General Studies, which significantly helped me clear the BPSC examination in my first attempt.

What were the biggest challenges during your preparation?

I faced several challenges:

Finding the right preparation strategy
Aspirants should first build their basics through NCERTs and self-study before choosing any coaching institute.

Choosing the right coaching institute
I made some wrong choices initially, which cost me nearly two years. Before joining any institute, students should understand the faculty and teaching methodology through YouTube lectures and free classes. Expensive coaching does not necessarily provide the best content.

Managing the abundance of study material
Too many resources can become a distraction. Select study material wisely instead of blindly following toppers’ recommendations.

Lack of proper mentorship
The right guidance can save valuable time and keep aspirants on the correct path.

Financial and social challenges
This examination often requires two to three years of consistent preparation, so one must plan financially and emotionally for the long journey.

Could you explain your preparation strategy for the Preliminary Examination?

Because of my UPSC preparation, I already had a deep understanding of General Studies subjects.

For the Preliminary Examination, I largely relied on self-study. I also made extensive use of AI tools and digital platforms such as ChatGPT, YouTube, and Telegram.

For the Mains examination, I purchased a test series and focused heavily on self-evaluation and implementing feedback.

• Study Materials:
• NCERT books
• Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
• One Bihar-specific book: Tathya Sangrah by Eduteria
• In-depth preparation of optional subjects
• Current affairs magazines and free YouTube lectures

I also attempted around ten free mock tests from different institutes to understand the diversity of questions and develop a problem-solving approach.

Revision was done in phases through:
Questions and mock tests
Videos
Previous Year Questions

How did you prepare for the Personality Test and what qualities do interview boards look for?

The Personality Test was perhaps the most challenging stage for me.

My preparation strategy:
Watched interview videos of successful candidates.
Practised regularly in front of a mirror and with peers.
Attended mock interviews organised by coaching institutes.
Used ChatGPT for interview question practice.
Qualities that interview boards generally look for:
Ability to apply academic knowledge to current issues.
Analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
Personality, attitude, and suitability for public administration.

Looking back, what were the key factors behind your success?

• Several factors contributed to my success:
• My own decision to pursue Civil Services.
• Unwavering support from family and friends.
• My family background, especially my mother’s sacrifices.
• Learning from failures and continuously improving.
• Maintaining consistency and studying for 8–10 hours daily.

How did your family and friends support you during difficult phases?

I tried to remain emotionally strong and recover quickly from setbacks.

My family’s support:
They trusted that I was pursuing the right path with honesty.
They never pressured me for immediate results.
My friends’ support:
Emotional support during failures.
Financial assistance whenever required.
Constant encouragement, especially after setbacks.

My biggest source of motivation has always been my mother.

Were there moments of self-doubt? How did you overcome them?

Yes, there were many such moments.
I experienced self-doubt:

After poor test performances.
Due to increasing age and repeated failures.
When consistent efforts did not yield results.
After failing the UPSC Preliminary Examination in 2025.
Because of the changing nature and unpredictability of competitive examinations.

I overcame these phases through:

• Support from family and friends.
• The values instilled in me through education.
• Self-belief and meditation.
• Remembering the moments in life when I had performed well.

My friends often reminded me, “Even if you fail, we are always behind you. Don’t worry.” That support became my backbone.

What are the three biggest lessons from your BPSC journey?

1. Trust the process.

Success may take time, but your day will come, and one day you will become a source of hope for others.

2. Focus only on controllable factors.

Results, paper patterns, and uncertainties are beyond our control. Effort and honesty are entirely within our control.

3. This too shall pass.

Both success and failure are temporary. One should neither lose hope during difficult times nor become overconfident after achievements. Believe in your actions and leave the rest to the universe.

What advice would you give to BPSC aspirants, especially those facing repeated failures?

• Minimise resources and maximise understanding.
• Focus on core fundamentals.
• Stay connected with NCERTs and basic concepts.
• Use PYQs to understand the syllabus and examination pattern.
• Believe in yourself.
• If one examination isn’t working out, consider other similar opportunities. Sometimes another examination can break the cycle of disappointment and restore confidence.
• Remember that good things often require extra effort and patience.

As a future administrator, what are the most pressing challenges facing Bihar today?

I believe Bihar faces several critical challenges:

Quality and structural deficiencies in education.
Youth migration and unemployment.
Growing social divisions and inequalities.
Crime, corruption, and orthodox social thinking, especially crimes against women.

Among these, I would particularly like to work in the field of quality education, because education is the most effective remedy for many social problems.

What does becoming a civil servant mean to you personally?

A civil servant should be people-centric and work to reduce the gap between policies and citizens.

An administrator should become the voice of vulnerable sections and understand issues from the perspective of ordinary people.

I aspire to become an administrator who:

Brings meaningful change in people’s lives.
Maintains credibility, honesty, and integrity throughout his career.

Finally, if you had to describe your entire journey in one sentence, what would it be?

“Grounded in reality, limitless in thought, universal in dreams, and destined to shine like the sun.”