• Vibhu Gupta
• Dr Tarundeep Kaur

This research examines the complex interplay between hopelessness and psychological well-being in aspirants who have been preparing to take the India Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) civil services examinations. This group is subjected to high levels of academic and social stress. The study, based on a cross-sectional design and 200 participants, explores the deleterious effects of chronic stressors that are linked to the high-stakes UPSC environment, on well-being and worsen hopelessness. The quantitative analyses indicate that all the subscales of psychological well-being (autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance) are significantly negatively correlated with hopelessness and that the overall psychological well-being is the most strongly associated with hopelessness (r = -0.56, p < .01). Comparisons by gender showed that the only statistically significant difference was that females were more autonomous, and males were more purposeful in life, with no significant gender differences found in the scores of hopelessness or total well-being. The results confirm the multidimensional model of well-being and highlight hopelessness as a key mediator between psychological vulnerability and compromised flourishing. The findings indicate that both well-being and hope-oriented psychological interventions are required, regardless of gender, to reduce the emotional burden that civil service aspirants face. Future research directions would be longitudinal studies to explain causal mechanisms and examine cultural and dispositional moderators.

Civil Service Aspirants, Gender Differences, Hopelessness, Psychological Well-being, Stress and Coping

"The Psychological Toll: Understanding Hopelessness and Well-being in Civil Services Aspirants", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 8, page no.g280-g284, August-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2508635.pdf

"The Psychological Toll: Understanding Hopelessness and Well-being in Civil Services Aspirants", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 8, page no. ppg280-g284, August-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2508635.pdf