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[Question] 26-Year-Old Facing Career Crossroads After Unsuccessful UPSC Attempts

Nayagam P P |10882 Answers |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 09, 2024

Nayagam is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
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He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities /colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
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He has a postgraduate degree in human resources from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, a postgraduate diploma in labour law from Madras University, a postgraduate diploma in school counselling from Symbiosis, Pune, and a certification in child psychology from Counsel India.
He has also completed his master’s degree in career counselling from ICCC-Mindler and Counsel, India.
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Question by geethika on Dec 07, 2024Hindi

Career

26 year old female, didn't cleared upsc 3 times and other competition exams still last 3 years and jobless ,need to start a new career which balance my upsc preparation .can you please suggest any opportunities

Ans: Geethika Madam, You can make a decision based on your educational qualifications and interests. Identify approximately 5-7 domains that pique your interest, and, if feasible and within your budget, consider pursuing online certifications to advance your journey. All the Best for Your Prosperous Future.

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on ‘Jobs | Education | Careers’.

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Question by Sanchita - Jul 04, 2023Hindi

Career

Hello Madam. I had qualified the CA final exam in 2016 in 2nd attempt. Thereafter I immediately started preparing for UPSC CSE. Exhausted all attempts in UPSC with no success. Can you guide about suitable career opportunities for me other than government exams?

Ans: If you are a qualified CA, I strongly suggest you start practicing as a CA under any financial institution. I suggest taking small upscaling courses on skillshare, udemy, upgrad and others and learn digital skills. In today's time, they all need a strong understanding of technical skills. With an undergraduate degree, CA qualification, you can actually start earning a decent remuneration with your skillset. If you can speak English eloquently, I am sure many companies will be ready to hire you. You can also find some internship options to gain some add-on value to your resume.

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Tech Entrepreneur, Educationist - Answered on May 13, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 10, 2024Hindi

Career

Hello I want to ask a question I have prepared upsc exams unfortunately did not succeed can you suggest any good course for me iam 29 done btech

Ans: It is good that you tried to follow a certain path but did not succeed. Accept this reality and move ahead and the pursue a career of your choice. You must appreciate the fact that the UPSC exam preparations lent you lot of experience, learnings that you can leverage. Best course for him would be to upskill his computer science knowledge as this is one area that can lend opportunities to work from home. There are several online forums that can open up job opportunities. Similarly he can connect with his network of friends and classmates from your college over Linkedin or Whatsapp or Facebook groups and seek connections to jobs that his network may know.

Krishna Kumar |398 Answers |Ask -Follow

Workplace Expert - Answered on Jun 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 13, 2024Hindi

Career

Hey I am a 29 yr old male , 5 yr ago I worked at private sector bank then I left my job and started preparing for upsc and unable to perform well now I don't have any career option beside I m just a bcom graduate

Ans: Hello Sir

I know this can be a tough situation...

Suggest you re-apply to your old company and also apply to various other banks such as co-operative banks as well...Besides banks you may explore opportunities with CA firms and other private sector companies. Your banking experience will be of value to these companies.

All the best.

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CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 16, 2024Hindi

Career

Hi I'm 27 years old girl preparing for Upsc exam. I left my job for preparation I have 2 years of experience in finance but I don't want to work in same field I just hated that job and that's why I started preparing for upsc thinking I would secure a post within 2 years but nothing worked according to my plan. And now I am clueless and feeling helpless how should I restart my career after a huge gap of 5 years..which field I should choose and what options are available for me.

Ans: You should decide on the area of interest and then work towards it. Check what you like - if you do not like Finance, then do you like Marketing or Operations. One option is to work in a startup where you will be working in different domains that would help you identify your interest. You could also identify what part of your job you liked and then decide on what you want to pursue.

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Stock Market Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 19, 2026Hindi

Money

I applied for an IPO on the War-Burg platform for Avana Electrosystems and got an allocation far above my funds available . Now the system will not allow me to close my position . What should I do ?

Ans: this is a scam

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

SIP of 2000 long term 10+ years. What type of schemes would you suggest (e.g. large, flexi etc.) and how.much allocation to each type would be best. I am in my 40s and this is my first exposure to MFs.

Ans: Hi,

As this is your 1st time exposure, better to connect with a professional.

Connect with a a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

Hello sir/maam, I have a health insure for myself of hdfc ergo of 10lakh cover. Now i am married this year thus should i take another insurance for my wife or include her within mine. We both are working and i want to be secure such that in case claim we do kot face any issue incase in future we have any health emergency.

Ans: Hi,

You can include her name in your policy and increase the sum insured to 20 lakhs. Your overall premium will increase but it is required considering higher medical costs these days.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

At51 years, can I start ppf account?

Ans: Hi,

Yes you can but not recommended. Instead increase contribution to your PF under VPF.
PPf comes with minimum 15 years lock-in, you will not have access to PPF funds till age of 65. Better to go for an alternative.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Surander - Jan 17, 2026Hindi

Money

Hi Sir, If performance of the some MF is not as per the market how to swich another performing MF. Question is shall i start SWP on Poor Performing F or Exit in one go .

Ans: Hi Surandar,

Investing like this will never work in your favor and instead give you losses along with tax liabilities.
If you do not know about Mutual funds, connect with a professional to start.
Expecting your funds to double overnight is not done here. Mutual funds are for long term and need a lot of patience.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Ram - Nov 18, 2025Hindi

Money

Hi, I worked in STL from year 1997 to 2005 . As at time the concept of UAN was not there I couldn't find any trace of my PF and Pension contribution in EPFO portal.Also that company is closed long back I am not able to create New UAN . After 2005,I worked in number of companies and retired in 2024.My last company from where I retired is an exempted company where I transferred my all PF after 2005. I visited in local epfo office in Kolkata regarding my pf/eps withdrawal/transfer to my latest company from where I retired last year, local pf office of Kolkata not able to see my pf balance of my First company STL,due to pf not connected to UAN, what should be done right now STL had deposited PF amount in Bandra Mumbai office.

Ans: Hi Ram,

Here is what you can do:
1. Locate your old salary slips from STL and try to find the PF number.
2. As the company doesn't exist now, your old PF must have become 'inoperative'
3. Visit Bandra, Mumbai EPFO Office yourself along with your details and request them to trace your old account (should know your PF number from salary slips beforehand).
4. Or connect with EPFO online under 'Inoperative helpdesk' to know what can be done by you.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Rimpa - Jan 04, 2026Hindi

Money

I want to invest in Mutual fund my monthly SIP is 1700 please make me a PORTFOLIO where i can get high return i want to invest for long time + i want to invest in Gold fund but not from the 1700 sip it will be my another individual SIP.

Ans: Hi Rimpa,

Start your SIP of 1700 under Kotak Multicap fund for long term.
If you wish to start gold investment, buy gold ETFs online or choose a gold mutual fund.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Question by Chidambaram - Jan 02, 2026Hindi

Money

Dear Sir, I'm 53 yrs old now, i would like to know, in SBI Life Policies, at present, what are the best beneficial wealth policies as well as with Sudden Death Protection, which suits my age and income source salary is 10L /Annum.. thanks, from Chennai (02nd Jan 2026)

Ans: Hi Chidambaram,

Please connect with SBI Bank professionals to get such wealth policy. I am a CFP and suggest only mutual funds investment along with comprehensive financial planning.
I do not recommend any such policies to anyone.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 18, 2026Hindi

Money

I am 42, I have two daughters 17 and 13. Me and my wife earn 5L per month currently. We do not know when we will stop being as productive as this We currently have the following portfolio 1. 1.2cr PF 2. 17L PPF 3. 40L MF 4. Real estate (3 flats in city and 5 acres in hometown) 4cr 5. Liquid 1 cr Upcoming life events 1. Kids college 2. Kids marriage After these between me and wife we need atleast 1L per month to live. I want to continue to work for 10 more years and my wife will work for 5 more. Can I retire early?

Ans: Hi,

You two are earning well and have accumulated a lot at such young age. Let us analyse in detail:
- Liquid - 1 crore >> this can take care of the immediate requirement for your kid's higher education.
- Your current investments in PF, PPF and MF - can be considered a portion for your retired life.
- Land and Flats worth 4 crores - can liquidate worth half value to keep it aside for your kids marriage.
- Save aggressively in equity and balanced mutual funds till the time you guys are working. Investing as small as 2 lakhs per month for next 10 years can grow your MF corpus from 40 lakhs to 6 crores.
This along with your PF is more than sufficient for the two of you to retire at your respective paces.

Make sure that the current MF investment along with planned SIP of 2 lakhs monthly is done under professional supervision. Any wrong investment can lower returns and create a negative impact.

Summary - You are on the right path. Start investing aggressively for next 10 years and consider liquidating 50% of your real estate assets to fulfil kids education and marriage.

And also consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Reetika Sharma |500 Answers |Ask -Follow

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Jan 21, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 19, 2026Hindi

Money

Hi, I m 47 years old, working in a pvt company. My current investment value is.. 1) PPF - 15 Lacs + still investing 2) SSY- 23 L + still investing 3) MF - 43 L + 4) PO & Bank FD - 9 L+ 5) Savings account - 5 L + 6) Insurance - 8 L (Premium paid already) - Running. I want to retire in next 5 years, and my monthly expenses are 50k. this investment is enough to survive in future. And how can I earn 70-80 K in future, where to invest, plz advice..

Ans: Hi,

It is really great that you have invested across various instruments and have saved a lot. Let us analyse all of it to check if this can cover your retirement.

- Current expenses - 50k monthly; looking for 70k per month income to cover your expenses post retirement.
After 5 years, you will be 52 years old and considering your life upto another 40 years (taken maximum so as to avoid any fund shortage), you will need a total corpus of 1.4 crores which will generate minimum return of 11% post retirement (assuming inflation adjusted withdrawals).
- 1.4 crores is the minimum bare requirement. Any amount over and above is a bonus for your comfortable life.
- 11% return is only possible through strategic investing in mutual funds.

Now let us analyse your current investments:
- 15 lakhs in PPF. This is good but PPF only gives 7.1% return and is not required for you as you already will have an EPF account. You can close this once 15 years are over and shift this amount to equity mutual funds.
- 23 lakhs - SSY. Continue for your kid's education.
- MF - 43 lakhs. Good amount but share more details for me to analyse the quality.
- PO and Bank FD - 9 lakhs. This is your emergency fund.
- Savings account - 5 lakhs.
- Insurance - 8 lakhs. Please share more details for me to guide you in this regard.

Overall assets - 15 lakhs (PPF) + 43 lakhs (MFs) = 58 lakhs.
Shortage of 90 lakhs.
Also consider the following:
1. Proper health coverage for yourself and family. Any medical emergency can wipe off your entire savings in a second. Cover yourself and family appropriately.
2. Consider other financial goals for your kids such as their education and marriage as 23 lakhs is not sufficient consider higher inflation rates.
3. Make a note of all other major financial goals if you have.

1.4 crore retirement requirement is after covering all other basic financial goals.
Work with a professional who will guide you with exact strategy to follow and achieve retirement with the mentioned corpus.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

See more questions »

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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