Educational dramas around the grind of competitive exams, be it UPSC or JEE, often strike a chord with people who have experienced it or are still living it. But turning that struggle into something gripping for a wider audience without losing its soul is a tricky balance, one that TVF’s Aspirants has largely mastered. After giving two solid seasons, the show is back with another one. The latest season stars Naveen Kasturia, Shivankit Singh Parihar, Abhilash Thapliyal, Sunny Hinduja, Namita Dubey, Jatin Goswami, and Tengam Celine in major roles. Here’s our review of Aspirants Season 3.

Aspirants Season 3: From dreaming of power to dealing with it

Similar to its previous editions, Aspirants Season 3 unfolds across two timelines, shifting the story from IAS prep to the realities of life after cracking the exam. At present, Abhilash (Naveen Kasturia), now Rampur’s District Magistrate, faces a serious inquiry initiated by Assistant Labour Commissioner Sandeep Ohlan, aka Sunny Bhaiya (Sunny Hinduja). If Abhilash is proven guilty of favouring his friend Guri (Shivankit Singh Parihar) through political power, he will be suspended.

The series also revisits the past in Mukherjee Nagar, where a younger Abhilash, after clearing the IRS paper, returns for one final attempt at the IAS exam. This time, he competes against his batchmate, Pawan (Jatin Goswami), a Hindi-medium aspirant. When Abhilash unknowingly makes Pawan feel inferior because of the language barrier, it angers Pawan, setting the stage for a Mahabharata-like rivalry between the two.

Previously, Aspirants romanticised the journey of a million people dreaming of becoming IAS officers. Season 3 finally asks a harder question: what happens after you get the power you once dreamed of? Will Abhilash and Pawan still uphold their moral values, or will they misuse their power to continue their personal rivalry?

Aspirants Season 3 review: Is the TVF magic still alive?

Yes, but it takes its sweet time to show up on the screen. TVF has a way of giving us new favourite characters in each season. The series began with Abhilash’s relentless pursuit of IAS. In Season 2, it highlighted Deepa’s (Tengam Celine) character, who became Abhilash’s shield after his breakup. And now, the series introduces Pawan to highlight the class and language divide that several UPSC aspirants grapple with.

While the series largely deals with career struggles and ambitions, its heart lies in its realistic friendships. The scene where SK (Abhilash Thapiyal) and Abhilash argue with each other, only for the latter to quote some lines from SK’s first-ever book, represents that you can be upset with your besties, but you’d still always be their loudest cheerleader. In doing so, Aspirants Season 3 becomes somewhat predictable and childish at times, especially in its dialogue. Even then, the series retains its spot as a wholesome yet motivating entertainer.

The flawed characters who make the series more relatable

The most interesting bit about Aspirants Season 3 is TVF’s flawed characters. Abhilash, a borderline-rude personality type, finally agrees to learn to balance logic and emotion. Similarly, it shows Pawan, who is constantly trying to prove himself to everyone around him, especially his rival, Abhilash. His emotions often override his logic, reflecting his low EQ. Abhilash and Pawan, however stubborn in their ways, reflect the imperfections that make each of us human.

Another standout character of the series is SK. He really picks up on the nerves of his friends to make them realise their mistakes in this season. SK might irritate you while doing that, but that’s exactly what makes him entertaining.

If you loved the earlier seasons, Aspirants Season 3 won’t disappoint you either. Watch this season for its most honest portrayal of the UPSC grind and its unique perspective for the general audience as well.

Aspirants Season 3 is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Can you watch Aspirants Season 3 with your family?: Yes, the series doesn’t contain obscene language or intimacy.

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