'Consistency over intensity': Lucknow boy, working with Google in US, cracks civil services exam

LUCKNOW: Lucknow boy Piyush Kapoor , 32, who secured 402nd rank in Civil Services exam on Friday, had one foot each in two continents for years. While he worked for Google in Mountain View, California, during the day, he prepared for India’s most prestigious exam at night.

Preparing from abroad can be isolating, especially after setbacks, but Piyush’s family became his anchor through multiple attempts. “I’m extremely proud of Piyush’s feat,” said Arun Kapoor, 66, a retired banker. “We turned the odds into his assets and kept pursuing the goal. It was his fifth attempt, but he never let a setback define him.”


A computer science grad from IIT-BHU, Piyush joined Google as a software engineer, where he contributed to Gmail’s spam and phishing protection mechanisms.

Preparing for the exam while handling a leadership role at Google required a strategy rooted in realism. “My mantra was simple: consistency over intensity. Instead of chasing unsustainable 12-hour study sessions, I focused on two to three hours of deeply concentrated preparation every day,” said Piyush, who spent his free time in the gym.

Interestingly, the 13-hour time difference between the United States and India became an unexpected advantage. “When newspapers, current affairs updates, and coaching materials were published in India each morning, it was evening in California. This allowed me to access the latest information almost in real time without disrupting his work schedule. By the time my American workday began, I had already completed my focused study session, staying aligned with developments back home,” said Piyush, who had opted Maths as an optional subject in the UPSC exam.

Asked why the shift, Piyush said he felt a growing desire to apply his skills closer home. “I wanted to move from building products to building the nation,” he said. The idea was not about abandoning technology but about expanding its impact from digital platforms to administrative systems that shape everyday lives, he added.
Piyush approached the vast UPSC syllabus like a system-design problem. “I relied heavily on digital notemaking tools and online resources, ensuring that the physical distance of 10,000 miles did not hinder my preparation,” added Piyush, who misses Lakhnavi food and wants to return home soon.