The fourth episode begins with a dream. In the dream, both Dhairya and Abhilash do not qualify for the second round of the UPSC exam. Despite that, they are happy that at least they’ll be together. Abhilash wakes up. He tells Dhairya, who is next to him, that he saw a dream having both of them in it. But he lies to her saying that it was a happy dream.

In the present, Guri and SK go to the washroom in the restaurant. Guri feels that Abhilash is not happy about the fact that Guri is marrying Dhairya. He tells SK about the spectacle case gifted to Abhilash by Dhairya which he still carried on him. SK brushes this off. He rejects Guri’s assumption saying that Abhilash is a miser therefore he might have not discarded the case. 

They go back to their table to find that Abhilash has left without informing them. Seriously, what is the deal with this guy? They are taken aback and so am I.

SK is unconscious in the flashback. Guri and Abhilash splash water on his face and he regains consciousness. SK has had an anxiety attack. He tells Abhilash and Guri about the phone call with his father. His father asked him about his plan B if he doesn’t clear the UPSC exam. It’s his last attempt. Earlier he used to dismiss the thought of having a plan B because why should you even think of something else. But this time, he feels it is necessary to have thought of a plan B. He doesn’t have a family business to fall back on and neither does he have an alternate degree to go back to.

While leaving SK’s room, Guri tells Abhilash that Pragati, his girlfriend, has cleared the PCS (Provincial Civil Service) exam and has started ignoring him. Abhilash says he already knew that she was an immature girl. Guri, however, disagrees with him and tells him that she’s rather mature. Guri reiterates the fact that anyway the relationships of Rajinder Nagar never work.

Abhilash receives an email from his company, calling him back to join. He tells Dhairya about this while having tea. He had taken a one-year sabbatical. It has not even been six months since then. But the company wants him to join back now or resign. 

Abhilash asks Dhairya about her plan B. She states that her plan A and plan B are to work on eradicating drug abuse in rural areas irrespective of becoming an officer. Abhilash appreciates her clarity of thought.

Then Abhilash asks Dhairya about her opinion with respect to the email. Dhairya advises him to make his own decision and not get influenced by others’ views.

After returning back to his room, Abhilash speaks to his boss. He asks for an extension. The boss, however, explains that only because Abhilash’s record was good that he is being called back. The boss also mentions that Abhilash has already failed in the previous three attempts so his chances of failing again are high. Abhilash argues that this time he is very confident of clearing the exam and that he is hundred percent sure of it. The boss reminds him that if he would have been a hundred percent sure, he would have already resigned and not requested a sabbatical. The boss asks Abhilash to confirm by the weekend and if he doesn’t, he’ll receive a termination letter.

While in the present, Guri is infuriated with Abhilash’s behaviour. He attacks SK for being so forgiving of Abhilash. SK rebukes both of them saying that both of them are two sides of the same coin. 

Back in the flashback, Abhilash goes to the terrace and meets Sandeep bhaiya there. Sandeep bhaiya is tense and Abhilash enquires why. Abhilash notices an engagement ring on Sandeep’s finger. Over a drink, Sandeep shares with him that the woman he loves is waiting to get married. Sandeep is tense because he had promised her that he will come back in a year after clearing the UPSC exam. But it has been four years since then. He has kept Kusum waiting for four years. She has sacrificed all her dreams because of Sandeep’s one dream. The burden of this engagement ring is very heavy to hold. Even Sandeep is trying to understand what his backup plan is if he is not able to clear the UPSC exam in his last attempt. 

Abhilash asks Sandeep why he has not joined any coaching institute. It would have definitely helped him, he says. Sandeep then reveals that the financial condition of his family is not good. He could not afford to spend on the fee of a coaching institute. 

Then Abhilash asks if Sandeep has a plan B. Sandeep states that plan B is for losers. For the same reason, he left his government job. But now, it is critical for him to think of one.

After a lot of contemplation, Abhilash finally decides to give his resignation at his place of work.

He then meets Dhairya. He shares with her the dream he told her about the other day. Turns out, Abhilash’s plan B was being with Dhairya. He was happy in the dream despite not clearing the exam as long as he was with her.

He makes it clear to her that staying together would only be possible if both of them fail. That is quite absurd in my opinion. And his goal is definitely not to fail but make it through as it is his last attempt. Therefore, he states that it will be very difficult for him to write the exam with the possibility of clearing it at the cost of Dhairya. The constant discussion about the relationships of Rajinder Nagar not working amongst Abhilash’s friends had made him believe that his relationship with Dhairya will never go beyond this place. Therefore, in order to avoid even 1% of doubt, they break up. No wonder how silly it sounds. 

Meanwhile, after their argument, Guri takes SK to Abhilash’s mansion. Guri goes in when Abhilash approves of the ‘guests’. Guri confronts Abhilash asking him why he left the restaurant without informing them. Abhilash expresses his real self. He does not approve of Guri marrying Dhairya. He is still not over Dhairya, it seems. 

Guri tells Abhilash that earlier he was feeling guilty about marrying his best friend’s ex-girlfriend. However, SK reinstated the belief in Guri that he was not doing anything wrong. SK had faith in Abhilash - that he would also understand the situation. After all, so much time had passed since Abhilash and Dhairya had been together. Hence Guri gathered the courage to tell him. He wants Abhilash to accept this fact, reconcile their broken friendship and attend his wedding. Abhilash, however, outrightly refuses to come. 

Guri while leaving, tells Abhilash that though he has cleared the exam and become this officer but he was faking the positive approach all this while. 

In the flashback, we see a montage of all the UPSC aspirants working hard. Everyone is studying day and night to achieve their end goal.

Two months later… the day of the results has arrived. It is raining heavily. Abhilash runs up to the notice board to check his name on the list. He turns around disappointed. Looks like he hasn’t made it. This was his last attempt. But he is an IAS officer in the present, I wonder how. 

Anyhow, he goes to his friends SK and Guri and cries bitterly. Dhairya, however, goes up smiling to another girl. It seems like she has cleared the exam. Sandeep bhaiya is seen standing dejected at one corner. Like Abhilash, he also did not get through in his last attempt. Uh oh...what is going to happen to our aspirants now?

Episode Rating: 3.5/5

Episode 3 Recap: Positive Approach Rakh Yaar

Episode 5 Recap: Pre... Mains aur Life

Aspirants Season 1 Review