Warning: Late night rant, might sound illogical.
Hi.
I am unemployed and preparing for bank exams (23-UR).
I've cleared 8 prelims in my first attempt (2025) in a row: ✌️
SBI - JA!!
IBPS - PO, SO(IT), CSA!!
RRB - PO, OA!!
OICL - AO!!
NABARD - DA!!
I also cleared RRB‑PO mains with a 9‑mark lead and gave the interview but didn't get the final allotment.
RBI Assistant: 100 attempts in the last shift (toughest, I guess).
After appearing in all these PO and clerical mains, I missed the cut by just 2‑3‑4 marks, except SBI‑JA where I was 15 marks short.
I'm turning 24 this year. I know I'm not late, but I'm not exactly early either.
I performed decently in NABARD DA mains, but there are only 3 UR vacancies, so it's almost impossible to get through.
Same story with RBI Assistant mains – vacancies are so few that it doesn't even motivate me to study.
YT channels and TG groups keep promising a lot of vacancies like UIIC AO, NICL AO, LIC Assistant, etc., but they're just irrelevant.
Sometimes I feel I don't want to start my career with a clerical cadre. I know it sounds demanding; everyone wants "a job" before "the job", and I'm the same. My biggest fear is that if I clear a clerical job and don't make it to an officer level, I won't have the courage to reject the offer letter and will end up stuck in a clerical post.
I want to finish my studies once and for all, whenever that happens. That's why I'm looking for a job like AO in insurance or a regulatory body, where I'll be satisfied from day one. I know there will be competition for promotional exams, but that's different from taking an exam just for employment.
These days I'm not studying at all. I just do a mock test some day, study GA another day, watch YouTube, Reddit, play games, watch IT stuff sometimes, and stay unproductive.
If you've read this far, feel free to DM me for any discussion on the things I mentioned.
Tata!!
You're incredibly smart! What's your study strategy?
Whoa, that's insane! I'm 24 and I've only just started thinking about it.
What happened in the SO (IT) exam? Were the mains too tough despite your preparation?
So, cheer up buddy – it's not just hard work, luck and destiny play a role too. Don't get disheartened, even though that's easier said than done.
I never imagined banking as a lifelong career, but it was the easiest path, so I intentionally cleared the clerical cadre in my first attempt to support myself until I clear an officer‑level exam in another central government department. All it takes is determination and belief in yourself – even if you're a clerk, you won't give up on your dreams and you'll clear the exam for your dream job ASAP.
Are you currently working? I think you have a CS engineering degree, which is why you chose SO (IT). If you're not working and just chasing the aspirant dream, you're killing your other career as an IT professional. At least get a job first, then keep giving exams. You still have age on your side. Working will give you experience to show on your resume, so if things don't work out with companies later, you won't just have gap years.
"I won't have the courage to reject that offer letter and I'll end up in a clerical cadre.
Oh my god, you'll end up as a clerk in a PSB. Nah, bro!"
It might sound rude, but many people see banking as a lifelong career. If you eventually want to switch careers (not just jobs), you're probably wasting time on banking exams. Follow your own niche, because only that will truly satisfy you. Even if you land a banking job or something outside your field, you may end up unhappy and end up ranting about the toxic culture and work pressure.
Mil jaye toh mitti...na mile toh sona!!!
Why not try CGL? Since you have an engineering background, I assume you're good at maths and quantitative skills.