Grit, defined as the relentless pursuit of long-term goals through passion and perseverance, has emerged as a crucial adaptive resource associated with success across various domains. Despite its acknowledged significance, limited research has examined the social and contextual determinants of grit, particularly in non-Western contexts. This study addresses this gap by exploring two potential social antecedents – perceived social support and parenting styles – among students preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. The results revealed significant associations between students' grit scores and both their perceived social support and parenting styles included in the study. Furthermore, parenting styles also emerged as significant predictors of grit. These findings not only highlight the complex relationship between social factors and grit but also offer valuable insights for promoting grit in the demanding context of UPSC exam preparation. This research contributes to the understanding of grit's social antecedents and suggests directions for future research in this domain.
