Akshat Shrivastava on exam race in India: 'There is life outside IIT/ UPSC/ CAT/ NEET. Your talent could be used to...'

In a country where academic milestones like IIT, UPSC, CAT, and NEET are often valued more, a growing chorus of voices is urging young Indians to look beyond entrance exams for validation and purpose. Financial educator Akshat Shrivastava recently sparked a thought-provoking conversation on LinkedIn, highlighting the often-unspoken reality of India’s exam-centric culture — and the personal toll it takes on countless aspirants.

Shrivastava recounted meeting a student who had spent four years preparing for the UPSC, only to fail. The same student then invested two more years chasing the CAT dream — and failed again. After nearly six years of relentless preparation and crushing setbacks, he is now struggling to rebuild his confidence and career.

But instead of blaming the student, Shrivastava pointed to a deeper systemic flaw. In his view, the odds today are so steep that even talented, hard-working individuals are being filtered out, not because they lack merit, but because the competition is brutally disproportionate. With limited seats, the presence of reservations, and millions chasing a handful of spots, these exams are no longer a true measure of capability, according to him.



He believes there’s a better path: using that same energy to build real-world skills, start small ventures, learn on the job, or explore emerging career paths that don’t require beating impossible odds. Shrivastava argues that preparing endlessly for exams is not the only—or even the most reliable—route to success. His message is clear and empowering: You’re not a failure if you don’t clear an exam. Your value isn’t tied to a rank. There is life and success beyond IIT, UPSC, CAT, and NEET.

Netizens react

Several users resonated deeply with the message that preparing for an exam is not a job. One pointed out how government exams today are incredibly competitive, with lakhs of applicants vying for a handful of vacancies. Coupled with systemic issues like reservation complexities, corruption, and scandals such as the SSC scam, many felt it was not worth spending years chasing such uncertain outcomes.

Another user highlighted a broader concern — not just an exam crisis, but an imagination crisis. They argued that the current system rewards rote memorisation and punishes those who don't succeed with lifelong shame, even though the real world values adaptability and innovation over academic ranks. Many agreed that the focus should shift from just passing exams to building real, market-ready skills.

Others emphasised the importance of developing practical capabilities. The modern job market, they said, no longer favors toppers alone, but rather those who can problem-solve, create, communicate, and execute. In a world driven by results, resumes packed with marks matter less than demonstrable skills and real-world impact.