Hey 26M with a graduate degree trying for government exams. Confused.

I am a 26M with a graduate degree in Business Administration (graduated June 2025). I started preparing for government exams in October 2025.

I have a 4-year gap between completing my higher secondary education and starting college in 2022. This gap happened because I switched courses over the years, and then COVID-19 hit, which severely impacted both my health and my studies.

The uncertainty surrounding government exams and the constant grind without a backup plan is starting to eat away at me. I'm highly unsure of what I would do if I couldn't crack these exams, and it's making me completely rethink my choices.

Can I still have a viable career on the corporate side if I continue pursuing government exams for one more year and then try for corporate jobs? I will turn 27 next year, and I'm worried this cumulative gap will look terrible on my resume.

What should I do as a backup plan?

NB: used AI for better comprehension.