An IIT graduate’s emotional post on Reddit’s r/developersIndia has gone viral after he opened up about his regret over leaving a promising tech career for the UPSC dream. Graduating from a Tier 1 IIT in 2022, the Reddit user wrote that he “used to code in college but didn’t enjoy it” and chose instead to prepare for competitive exams like SSC-CGL, with plans to eventually attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
His efforts paid off partially when he landed a Group B government job in 2023, but his goal remained the civil services. After two unsuccessful attempts in 2024 and 2025, however, reality hit hard. “Now I’m completely exhausted from this preparation and don’t want to continue with this stupid exam anymore,” he confessed in his post, adding that his government role now feels “mediocre” and unfulfilling.
“I want to switch to tech,” he wrote, lamenting that he could have achieved much more if he had taken a corporate job straight after graduation.
“Is it too late to return?”
The post, titled ‘Made a big blunder. Want to enter IT from non-IT background,’ captured the uncertainty of many young professionals caught between ambition and regret. The Redditor asked whether it was still possible to return to the IT sector after a three-year gap and wondered if he would have to start with smaller firms or “WITCH companies” (referring to Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, and HCL).
His question sparked a flood of responses — many empathetic, others cautionary.
Netizens weigh in: “Think before you jump back”
One user reassured him that his IIT background would still hold value in India’s job market: “Bro you have a good degree. Recruiters are obsessed with pedigree and credentials in this country. You can use your network and build some projects — that might help.”
However, another urged caution, reminding him that the IT world isn’t a stress-free escape either: “You said you didn’t enjoy coding. IT is also exhausting for the most part, but people put up with it because they enjoy exploring new tech. If you don’t love coding, don’t come back — it’s even more draining when your heart isn’t in it.”
Others defended the stability of government jobs, highlighting their long-term security and work-life balance. One comment read: “Bro, that mediocre job is a lot better than coming here. For a bachelor, it may seem boring, but when you get a family, that job will give you mental peace.”
Another added bluntly: “Don’t come to corporate. Stick with your peaceful government job. To subside your curiosity, take up open-source projects or freelance work instead.”
Between stability and self-fulfilment
For many Indian graduates, especially from elite institutes like the IITs, the UPSC exam represents prestige, purpose, and a shot at public service. Yet, as the Reddit thread shows, the pursuit can come with emotional and professional costs.
While some commenters advised the IITian to rebuild his coding portfolio and re-enter tech through personal projects or freelancing, others insisted that rediscovering contentment in his government job might be the wiser choice.
His efforts paid off partially when he landed a Group B government job in 2023, but his goal remained the civil services. After two unsuccessful attempts in 2024 and 2025, however, reality hit hard. “Now I’m completely exhausted from this preparation and don’t want to continue with this stupid exam anymore,” he confessed in his post, adding that his government role now feels “mediocre” and unfulfilling.
“I want to switch to tech,” he wrote, lamenting that he could have achieved much more if he had taken a corporate job straight after graduation.
“Is it too late to return?”
The post, titled ‘Made a big blunder. Want to enter IT from non-IT background,’ captured the uncertainty of many young professionals caught between ambition and regret. The Redditor asked whether it was still possible to return to the IT sector after a three-year gap and wondered if he would have to start with smaller firms or “WITCH companies” (referring to Wipro, Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, and HCL).
His question sparked a flood of responses — many empathetic, others cautionary.
Netizens weigh in: “Think before you jump back”
One user reassured him that his IIT background would still hold value in India’s job market: “Bro you have a good degree. Recruiters are obsessed with pedigree and credentials in this country. You can use your network and build some projects — that might help.”
However, another urged caution, reminding him that the IT world isn’t a stress-free escape either: “You said you didn’t enjoy coding. IT is also exhausting for the most part, but people put up with it because they enjoy exploring new tech. If you don’t love coding, don’t come back — it’s even more draining when your heart isn’t in it.”
Others defended the stability of government jobs, highlighting their long-term security and work-life balance. One comment read: “Bro, that mediocre job is a lot better than coming here. For a bachelor, it may seem boring, but when you get a family, that job will give you mental peace.”
Another added bluntly: “Don’t come to corporate. Stick with your peaceful government job. To subside your curiosity, take up open-source projects or freelance work instead.”
Between stability and self-fulfilment
For many Indian graduates, especially from elite institutes like the IITs, the UPSC exam represents prestige, purpose, and a shot at public service. Yet, as the Reddit thread shows, the pursuit can come with emotional and professional costs.
While some commenters advised the IITian to rebuild his coding portfolio and re-enter tech through personal projects or freelancing, others insisted that rediscovering contentment in his government job might be the wiser choice.
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