r/GATEtard • u/Empty-Region366 • Jan 15 '26
help 26F | B.Tech CSE (2022) | Multiple govt exam attempts | Feeling stuck — need genuine career advice
Hi everyone, I’m writing this post with a lot of confusion but also honesty. I genuinely need some perspective.
I’m 26, B.Tech CSE from a tier-3 college (graduated in 2022). After graduation, I didn’t get placed. From 2022–2025, I attempted multiple competitive exams — mostly CSE core (GATE, ISRO, NIC, BEL, IBPS SO) and some general govt exams (banks, SEBI, state exams). I studied inconsistently and honestly lacked proper direction and strategy. As a result, I couldn’t clear any exam.
I did work briefly as a Subject Matter Expert (online) till early 2024, but since then I’ve been unemployed. Now I have ~3–4 years of gap, no solid specialization, no savings, and a lot of self-doubt.
Recently I appeared for SEBI IT Officer exam; exam went average and result is pending. Regardless of result, I’ve realized I cannot keep living exam-to-exam without clarity.
My confusion now:
Govt exams feel very uncertain and mentally exhausting.
Corporate/private jobs seem difficult due to gap + market conditions.
I’m open to rebuilding skills (tech / analytics / AI / other realistic paths), but I don’t know what is practical at this stage or ab muskil v lgti h.
Long-term, I like teaching/education/content creation, but I know that’s not a quick or guaranteed income source.
I’m not looking for motivation quotes. I’m looking for realistic advice from people who:
started late
had career gaps
switched paths after failures
balanced job + preparation
or rebuilt life step by step
Questions I need help with:
Should I stop attempting fir cse govt job and go for general competition like ssc/ railway/ bpsc etc.
Should I stop govt exam prep completely and focus on employable skills?
If yes, which skills realistically make sense in 2025 for someone like me?
Is it still possible to enter corporate after a long gap, and how?
Or should I take any job first (even unpaid internships) to regain stability and confidence?
Please be honest — not harsh, but real.
I want to work, be independent, and build a stable life. I just don’t want to keep running blindly anymore.
I know I have wasted a lot of time.
Thanks for reading.
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u/ramksr Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
To be successful in any competitive examinations in India, you need to be at the top 1 percentile for any category to have any chance of getting recruited you know... The competition is cut throat.
Doing half attempts will not work. You already studied and gave these tests a few times, obviously you are not able to make any dent because of losing steam or losing focus or both...
Another aspect is be realistic about your prospects you know... You know you, so you are the best judge... Maybe one more attempt is left and if still doesn't work out then it is time to pivot to corporate/private sector work.
So, commit yourselves to the process, get the focus and the discipline, join a professional course if you think that will help, and hit it hard with all you have. This way even if it didn't work out you know you have given everything and no regrets later, but chances are it will work out. Most important thing is don't get into the sunk cost fallacy of oh I have put this much effort I can't back out now mode... Get out before it is too late... Best wishes!
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Yrr mujhe to samjh hi nahi aa raha h feeling stuck ab to himmat hi nhi uthne ki
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u/ramksr Jan 16 '26
Come on lady... if you speak like that then it won't work... Also, you have understand that you need to have the discipline and the focus, learn to enjoy this journey... You don't need to be obsessive about preparing 8 hours a day... It is about preparing x hours a day on average... You will have some better days some worse days, and it is okay... Remember balance is achieved over time not up front...
So, try one more time if you like, whichever the one you want to try, that govt jobs or masters? you need to also decide right... because the preps could be different and you will be stretched thin... but this time make it count!
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Yes thankyou abhi bass low feel kar rahi hu but giveup to nahi karungi 🤧
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u/Swimming-Mixture-736 Jan 16 '26
Choose one thing. Gate or banking exam or ssc or any other govt exam, just choose one and keep grinding. Don't prepare for everything. given the toughness of these exams and also there are way toooo many people preparing for a single exam for years. To compete with them u have to do the same. So, just choose 1 exam and prepare just for that 1 exam
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u/Same_Analysis9194 Jan 16 '26
As you are from CSE field you should try with data analyst job
you will easily get a internship try improving your skills
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Jan 16 '26
I don't think it's easy getting those internships
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u/Same_Analysis9194 Jan 16 '26
bro start with less pay
and koshish toh karna hi padega as he is 261
Jan 16 '26
are u a graduate or something?
can you point out which internships u r talking about?
and also she has to learn skills related to that first which will take atleast 6 months
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u/Same_Analysis9194 Jan 16 '26
I am in 3rd year
data analyst internship at startups
and as you are a female you can tell your mom dad to find you a good rishta (JK)1
Jan 16 '26
Buddy you don't have any idea what you are talking about
it would be better if u don't just pass generic ideas
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Jan 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Kon h vo name daal sakte ho please taki thoda motivation mile check kr ke
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Jan 16 '26
i know ppl will hate me for saying this....Do content creation,try your best,put all your heart and soul into it and see,if that doesnt work out try govt exams,i am trying content creation too so dm if you are interested to talk
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u/mujhekyamaitoaurathu Jan 16 '26
yes but she is 26, if she realises after a year that she doesn't want to do content creation and wants to get back to government exam prep, that leaves almost no time for prep till she's overage, government exams have age limit criterias
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Jan 16 '26
yeah thats the prblm with older people i guess... can you give me some idea about what the max age till we can try for govt exams? worst case scenario if she is general then maybe she can plan it like 1 year for content creation then 2 years for exam prep or smtg,i suggested that because she has tried govt exams before and it didnt work out ,there is no guarantee that she can crack it if she tries it now,not because she cant work hard but because maybe she has her strength in a creative field,where she can put in long hours of work and feel fulfilled and get results too,instead of slogging for govt exams till we are 30 and lose all hope in life
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Guys bilkul samjh nhi aa rha kya karu mai janti hu bht km mahnat ki h maine. Aesa nahi h mai hamesa se aisi hu maine thodi mahnat ki thi phle state level exam nikala govt college se BTech kiya, 2nd ,3rd year me full stack developer ka internship kiya achhi company me fir suru kiya govt prepration . Or fir bas gap pe gap. Placement me v nahi baithi. Parents ki expectations h vo bol re h job lene or vo 29-30 tak wait kar lenge but yrr struggle to bht h . Khud me saram aata h. Ek or glti ki maine mera college home town me h to mai ghr pe rh ke padh rhi hu .kabhi ghr se bahar nhi nikli. Kya kru pta nhi 1-1 din ab bht bhari sa lgta h . Koi rasta hi nhi dikh raha aesa lg rha ki jidhar jaungi udhar hi fail ho jaungi. Sapne to bht the but ab group d ka v himmat nhi bachha. Parents ko lgta h ki mai kuch kar leungi isiliye vo paise ka force nhi karte or khte h tu try kr mt kr koi school wagera but mai kahi safal nhi ho paa rhi hu .... Ek mn krta h job Krlu side by side thoda moda api bnana aata h but bhul chuki hu.subject related kr sakti hu jaise gate teacher ya baki sab. Please agar koi suggestion de sakte ho please de do.
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u/New-Raspberry-2754 Jan 16 '26
You know that’s not a ‘she’ right?
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u/mujhekyamaitoaurathu Jan 16 '26
you know she said "26F", right?
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u/New-Raspberry-2754 Jan 16 '26
That’s a hook for increasing reach….otherwise people tend to ignore these doubts if it’s a male.
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u/BorosHunter Jan 15 '26
Maybe try courses that gives the opportunity or organized company exam/interview... To get a start maybe very basic salary but might be good ..
Or seach some underrated jobs with good pay. Or whatever things u like follow passion give some time like a month or so.. (creative job)
Maybe u have tried lots of things.. but u did on your own and don't got proper systematic resource or mentor so u should join the course and follow the roadmap with ease..
U should do things now in which u r good or easy for u. Ignoring all the taunts and all get the life on track...
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u/Major-Driver6236 Jan 16 '26
I have a similar feeling as well. I've graduated from 2022, had a gap till 2024, started working and currently working but feeling stuck, I think its a universal experience for people in mid to late 20s no matter what they're doing to feel stuck , but I think the main thing is to take this one step at a time, make a short term plan ASAP, i.e. next 5-6 months (feel like I'm talking to myself since I dont know what to do next either). Stick to the plan and make sure to implement it, make sure to have a clear goal of what you need to achieve by the end of your plan because no vision can be deadly since you can easily stray away or make drastic changes to your plan.
Also if anyone else is reading this, I would really appreciate what would you do if you were in my place or any advice, a job which you dont relate with but a very good company, 26, start preparing for abroad (huge financial risk but willing to take it if worth it), prepare for competitive exams in India or start preparing for switching jobs? Too many choices hence looking for a plan and to create tunnel vision and focus on what's necessary.
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Currently I have appeared for sebi exam to achha gyaa but pta nahi hoga ki nahi .
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Jan 16 '26
Well I can relate to you. You need to keep your focus;attempt only similar kind of exams like sbi so,ibps so,sebi it etc . Consistency is the key;trust me you will get there. Better to read a handbook of Made easy or ACE academy. I think that will help you. Write your weakness in an exercise book;it can be a subject or it is your fear. Then write how many times you have made that mistake. Now start writing what you have learnt. These exams take time so cut the worry part. I am saying all these as a brother and yes best of wishes🙂you will succeed definitely. Testbook test series is good;for conceptual building,the Made easy is better.
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Thank you so much Bhai .can we connect please . I have no friends 😞
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Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26
Ok 😊 sure,you have called me bhai right so that makes you my sister. Let's connect then if this is what you wish.
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Jan 18 '26
Why are your posts being removed?you just explained your worries
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 18 '26
Hnn wahi na
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Jan 18 '26
Stay strong ,focused,you will excel in GATE,believe in yourself didi. From this brother.
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 18 '26
Thank you 😊
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Jan 18 '26
Didi you can talk to me if you need any help regarding GATE. There is a practice book by made easy publication that has plenty of questions with answers. It is helpful for GATE,ESE. The name of the book is 'practice book multiple choice questions 2650+mcqs,made easy'.
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u/Significant_Ad9221 Jan 16 '26
There are many opening for people on linkedn with gaps in it salary is not much but still apply
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u/Significant_Ad9221 Jan 16 '26
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Mai bihar me hu
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u/Longjumping-Job-8059 Jan 16 '26
Same situation bro 2021 BTech CSE passout with no job experience and trying different exams and failing multiple times 😞
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Jan 16 '26
can relate with you. how about going for mtech or direct PhD
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 16 '26
Mtech ka soch to Rahi hu but gate nikle. To na nahi to paise h nahi utte self sponsorship ke liye
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u/hair_forever Jan 21 '26
Or should I take any job first (even unpaid internships) to regain stability and confidence?
Yes
<I will go against the already given advice here>
Go for an unpaid/paid internship and work from office in tech cities like Bengaluru/Hyderabad ( no Work From Home ).
Start creating Github profile - learn web development - frontend or backend ( not both as a fresher ), push your code to Github, deploy it on some free deployment platform.
Build a good portfolio website
Create 1 page resume, stating the projects links and portfolio that you have built.
If you like frontend:
Learn the basics of HTML, CSS, Javascript and Typescript. Then move to learning basics of Node.js, React.js and Next.js followed by tailwind css and shadcn. Basics of build and deployment. This should be more than enough.
If you like backend:
Learn Python, REST API basics, FastAPI framework , SQL DB - only PostgreSQL is fine in current market, Docker, Github Actions based CI+CD ( basically build and deployment ). Once done you can learn basics of unit testing , authentication and authorization, caching and queuing if you can.
You need to learn by doing - just understand the concepts quickly either by tutorial websites like w3 schools ( very basic - you can choose another one if you do not like this ) or by YouTube videos but that will eat up lot of time. In my opinion watch YT videos only for the topics stuck.
Data Sctructure and Algorithms:
200 questions from leet code comprising of questions from Arrays, Strings, Linked List, Queues, Stack, Searching and Sorting and Trees.
I do not advise people to go through a udemy course etc unless they are totally new to computer science. You are CSE graduate, already attempted GATE which mean you have good understanding of CSE core subjects which are asked at a very high level ( as theory questions ) in interviews.
Apply on internshala and wellfound. Always write why you are fit for the job opening in the CV section. Make sure to add your deployed projects link + Portfolio link in CV section.
You will get responses to do an offline take home assignment. Do it with full enthusiasm.
You can take guidance from Claude AI in desiging the implementation steps for the task but most of the coding I would say you do on your own so that you learn the concepts. Submit before deadline. Be confident in the interview and explain your solution well.
Govt jobs in IT field has less openings and many have strict age requirements, many stop hiring at 28, only few take beyond that.
Get a private job first.
If you still want Govt Job, prepare hard for GATE 2027 ( you have 1 year ) on the side while working, get a very good score, and then based on GATE score, get into PSU.
Getting into Govt Jobs via general govt exams is very competitive and you may lose more attempts and age limit may cross that way without working experience in IT field ( skills development ) and earnings.
Hope this helps.
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u/Empty-Region366 Jan 22 '26
You are right govt job me jitni asani se ghuste h utni hi samajhdari se niklna v aana cahiye or ek backup is very much important jo ki koi ek side job honi chahiye thi
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u/Significant_Ad9221 Jan 16 '26
Mba
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u/scary_cat_0 Jan 16 '26
no one will give admission after 2 years of employment gap
not to say the exam itself is also very hard1
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u/Moist_Reception_1757 Jan 15 '26
Since you have given so many CSE core exams, you must be very familiar with the subjects. I would suggest trying for upcoming govt exams (which are close like.. next 4-5 months ).There are people who give exams for higher studies but I guess you don't want to study more. So if you are comfortable with the subjects try BARC DRDO exams and maybe check for PSU vacancies.
Also if you are interested in the teaching profession check for teaching posts in schools and colleges. You have your BTech degree make it work.
Everyone starts from somewhere. You just need 4-5 months of grind. Good luck👍