Dear Friend,
While preparing for the UPSC CSE and other competitive exams, I am sure pressure is not an alien word for you. At one point or another, you must have felt some kind of pressure. There must have been moments in life when the weight of expectations feels overwhelming, when the clock ticks louder, and when every page of your notes seems heavier than the last. In those moments, it is easy to feel crushed by pressure. Whenever you find yourself in such a situation, please recall what Mr. Virat Kohli, one of the most celebrated Indian cricketers in the world, says about pressure.
As we all know, Mr. Virat is known and much respected for his highly disciplined lifestyle, perfect fitness regime, relentless practice to gain mastery over his cricketing skills, seemingly insurmountable records he has mounted, and his unequivocal contributions to the success of his teams. But the most formidable reputation he built for himself comes from his excellence as a chase master. Match after match, he successfully chases big targets under high-pressure situations. His greatest innings have come when the target seemed impossible, the weight of expectations from the crowd reached unimaginable levels, and the runs required were rising faster than the reducing number of balls. However, he did not crumble under pressure; most often than not, he thrived because of it.
How does Mr. Virat do that? In what became an inspiring gem of learning, he revealed the secret of his success in handling pressure during a post-match interview after one of the recent IPL matches. He said, “There is a reason people say pressure is privilege. It actually keeps you humble, keeps you focused, and makes you work hard and practise again. You can’t take things for granted”. This is really a precious quote.
This is not just about cricket; it is also a philosophy that resonates deeply with the journey of every UPSC CSE and other competitive exam aspirant like you. When you sit down to prepare for exams like UPSC CSE, and the enormity of the task feels daunting, think about the pressure not as pressure but as a privilege. This mindset converts the pressure into an internal force that pushes you to remain focused, propels you to work harder, and motivates you to practise more and more. This is the mindset that can transform your preparation and help you embrace the challenges ahead.
Mr. Virat’s words remind us that pressure keeps us humble. Success in exams is not guaranteed by talent alone. It demands respect for the process—every chapter revised, every mock test attempted, every mistake corrected. Humility means acknowledging that no matter how much you know, there is always room to learn more.
In today’s world, distractions are everywhere—social media, endless notifications and the lure of entertainment. Yet, pressure sharpens focus. Just as Mr. Virat thrives in high-stakes chases by shutting out the noise and concentrating on each delivery, you too can thrive by focusing on each study session, each concept, each test. Pressure teaches you to prioritise, to cut away what is unnecessary, and to channel your energy into what truly matters.
Competitive exams are not won in a single day; they are conquered through months and years of consistent effort. Mr. Virat practises tirelessly, even after achieving greatness, because he knows complacency is the enemy of excellence.
For you, this means revising again and again, solving problems until they feel natural, and practising mock tests until exam conditions no longer intimidate you. Pressure pushes you to work harder, reminding you that success is not a gift—it is earned. Every opportunity to study, every resource at your disposal, every mentor guiding you—none of these should be taken for granted. Pressure reminds you of the stakes involved.
Think of pressure as the fuel that powers your journey. Instead of fearing it, embrace it. When you feel nervous before a mock test, remind yourself: this is your privilege. When you feel anxious about covering the syllabus, remember: this is your chance to grow. When you feel the weight of expectations from family or society, tell yourself: this is proof that your success matters. Pressure is not your enemy—it is your ally.
The chase is long, the target is high, and the pressure is real. But remember: you are privileged to be in this race. Embrace the pressure, for it is the sign that you are striving for greatness. With the right mindset, you can turn pressure into power. just as Virat turns impossible chases into unforgettable victories.
With these words, I wish you the best for all your chases in life,
Yours sincerely
(Surendra Kumar Sachdeva)