I reached the interview but didn't make the final list — what's the recovery path?

Interview-stage near-misses are the MOST tactically advantaged position in UPSC. You've proven you can clear Prelims AND Mains in one cycle. Don't reinvent — refine. The recovery is a 9-month sprint focused on (1) Mains marks improvement (200-400 mark jump is realistic), (2) interview prep refresh, (3) maintaining Prelims fitness. Most reach-interview-but-miss aspirants clear next attempt.