Saloni Khanna draws on years of mentoring, real-life stories and psychological research to examine resilience, discipline and emotional strength among civil services aspirants

More than a million aspirants take the UPSC Civil Services Examination each year, but only a small fraction make it through the highly competitive selection process. In her new book Winning Under Pressure, author and civil services mentor Saloni Khanna explores what separates successful candidates from those who struggle to make the cut.

Published by Aleph Book Company, the book looks beyond the vast syllabus and rigorous preparation required for the examination to focus on the psychological demands of the UPSC journey. Khanna examines qualities such as resilience, discipline, curiosity, adaptability, courage and emotional strength across 16 chapters.

Drawing on real-life experiences of aspirants, psychological research, history and practical insights from years of mentoring, the book explores how candidates can develop the mental resilience required to deal with setbacks, uncertainty and sustained pressure.

The book argues that clearing the civil services examination is not only a test of knowledge and preparation but also of how candidates respond when things do not go according to plan. Difficult interviews, unexpected results and failures after months of preparation can test an aspirant’s confidence and ability to remain focused.

While the book is rooted in the UPSC ecosystem, its lessons extend beyond competitive examinations. It examines how the same qualities can help people navigate demanding careers, crucial interviews, personal setbacks and other high-pressure situations.

Winning Under Pressure ultimately presents success as an inner transformation as much as an academic achievement, encouraging readers to prepare their minds with the same care with which they prepare for the examination.