Dear Friend,
The New Year 2026, for most people, means one more occasion of celebrations, resolutions, or fleeting promises. But for you, while preparing to compete for your most coveted job, it’s something deeper. It is a chance to renew purpose, reset your rhythm, and realign your energy with your long-cherished dream. Whether you’re preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, State PSC, SSC, Banking, or any other competitive exam, this moment marks not just another page on the calendar, but another opportunity to sharpen your focus and strengthen your resolve. The New Year 2026 must charge you to turn your journey into a definitive success story.
Success stories often result from meticulous planning and execution. Sometimes, they may emerge from unexpected turns in life. One such inspiring tale is that of Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat, a 19-year-old shooting prodigy from Jhajjar, Haryana, who rose to become the World No. 1 in the International Shooting Sport Federation’s women’s 10m Air Pistol rankings in 2025. Her journey is not just about medals and rankings—it is also about resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. For UPSC CSE and other competitive exam aspirants like you, her story offers timeless lessons on how to face setbacks, reinvent oneself, and ultimately triumph.
Suruchi’s early years were shaped by wrestling, a sport deeply rooted in Haryana’s culture. Inspired by her father, an ex-armyman, she trained rigorously. But fate had other plans. A collarbone injury forced her to step away from wrestling—a devastating blow for any young athlete. Instead of surrendering to despair, Suruchi chose to adapt. She switched to shooting in 2019, a sport she had never seriously considered before. Within a few years, she not only mastered it but also dominated the global stage. However, Suruchi’s rise did not come overnight. She trained relentlessly, adopting the “Chinese shooting style”—fast, aggressive, and clinical.
Suruchi’s consistency across multiple tournaments in 2025—gold medals at Buenos Aires World Cup 2025, ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, the Munich World Cup 2025, and the World Cup Final 2025 in Doha—, proved that success is built on sustained effort, not occasional brilliance. Finals in shooting are nerve-wracking. A single lapse in concentration can cost the medal. Yet Suruchi is known for her calmness under pressure. Despite her aggressive style, she has made her mark in maintaining composure when it matters most. “I just pick up the pistol and shoot”, Suruchi had said after securing gold in Munich. “I don’t think too much about the final; I just stick to the process”, she added. Suruchi’s success story is truly inspiring, particularly for every youth preparing for his/her dream job. Life, like a competitive exam, rarely goes as planned. You may face setbacks—poor mock test scores, unexpected failures, or personal challenges. The key is adaptability. Just as Suruchi transformed her injury into an opportunity, you must learn to pivot strategies, embrace new study techniques, improve your preparation plans, and keep moving forward. There is another valuable lesson to be learnt from Suruchi’s success story. Exams like UPSC CSE reward consistency. It is not enough to study intensely for a week and then lose momentum. Daily discipline is what builds mastery. Suruchi’s medals are the collective result of thousands of hours of consistent practice; your success will be the result of thousands of hours of consistent study.
Imagine your exam hall as a shooting range. Anxiety, distractions, and fear of failure may surround you. But like Suruchi, you must cultivate calmness. Techniques such as mindful breathing, short meditation sessions, or even simple affirmations can help you stay composed. Remember, success is not just about knowledge—it is also about delivering under pressure. Use every failure as a stepping stone. Many toppers have failed once before achieving success. The difference lies in resilience—the ability to bounce back stronger. Suruchi’s story reminds us that setbacks are not signals to quit; they are invitations to grow.
Here are actionable strategies you can adopt, inspired by her journey. First, adapt quickly. If a subject feels overwhelming, change your approach. Use visual aids, flowcharts, or group discussions. Second, do not forget that consistency is the king. Create a timetable and stick to it. Even two hours of study daily, done consistently, beats sporadic bursts of 10 hours of study. Third, stay calm under pressure. Practise mock tests in timed conditions to simulate exam stress. Fourth, treat every mistake as feedback, not failure. Analyse, improve, and move forward. Finally, be aggressive yet controlled. Push boundaries, but don’t burn out.
One more point. Suruchi’s medals came from tournaments across continents—Munich, Buenos Aires, Lima, Doha. Competing globally required her to adapt to different environments, cultures and pressures. Similarly, you must realise that exams are not just tests of knowledge but also of adaptability in diverse contexts. Think beyond the exam. Suruchi’s global success is a reminder that your preparation is not just for an exam—it is also for a life of global relevance.
With these words, I wish you a Very Happy New Year, with success in all your pursuits,
Yours sincerely
Surendra Kumar Sachdeva