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Shakti Dubey secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 through a combination of resilience, strategic preparation, and a disciplined approach over five attempts. Below is a detailed breakdown of how she achieved this feat, based on available information:
Hometown and Family Influence: Born in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, Shakti grew up in an academically rich environment. Her father, a police officer, and her mother, a homemaker, provided unwavering support. Her exposure to public service, particularly seeing the impact of police presence on safety during her time at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), inspired her to pursue a career in civil services.
Academic Foundation: Shakti holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Allahabad and BHU, respectively. Her scientific background honed her analytical skills, which she later applied to her UPSC preparation.
Initial Career: Before focusing on UPSC, Shakti briefly worked as a teacher, which enhanced her communication and leadership skills, critical for the IAS role.
Multiple Attempts: Shakti’s journey spanned five attempts, starting in 2018. She faced setbacks, failing the Prelims three times and reaching the Mains in her fourth attempt but missing the final list. In 2023, she missed the cutoff by just 12 marks, a low point that tested her resilience.
Perseverance: Despite these setbacks, Shakti refined her strategy with each attempt, emphasizing persistence and adaptability. Her fifth attempt in 2024 saw her clear all three stages—Prelims, Mains, and the Personality Test—securing AIR 1 with 1,043 marks (843 in Mains, 200 in the Personality Test).
Shakti’s success stemmed from a structured and focused preparation strategy, which she shared in interviews:
Limited Resources: She emphasized sticking to a minimal set of standard books (e.g., NCERTs, Laxmikant, Spectrum) and Vision IAS notes, avoiding the trap of excessive resources. Repeated revisions of these materials were key.
Optional Subject Choice: Despite her Biochemistry background, Shakti chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject. This strategic shift aligned with her interest in governance and the subject’s relevance to General Studies and Essay papers. Her choice proved effective, as PSIR is known for its high-scoring potential.
Structured Study Plan:
In-Depth Reading: She focused on core subjects like history, polity, geography, economics, and current affairs, building a strong foundation.
Current Affairs: Daily newspaper reading and monthly compilations kept her updated on policy matters.
Answer Writing Practice: Shakti practiced daily answer writing for Mains, focusing on clarity, structure, and analytical depth. Her answer booklets are noted for their coherence and effective use of keywords, serving as a model for aspirants.
Mock Tests: Regular participation in mock tests for both Prelims and Mains helped her assess progress, identify weaknesses, and adapt to exam conditions. She also joined programs like Vajiram & Ravi’s General Studies 10-Month PCM Programme and VisionIAS’s interview preparation.
Time Management and Discipline: Shakti maintained a balanced routine, incorporating physical activity and relaxation to stay motivated. She stressed self-discipline and mental resilience, advising aspirants not to be too harsh on themselves after setbacks.
Personality Test Preparation: For the interview, she worked on communication skills, current affairs, and articulation, earning praise for her clarity and balanced opinions, which contributed to her perfect 200 marks in the Personality Test.
Academic Excellence: Shakti scored 10 CGPA in Class 10 and 94.2% in Class 12, followed by 86.5% in her B.Sc. and a 9.21 CGPA in her M.Sc.
Final Score: Her total of 1,043 marks out of 2,025 (51.5%) included 843 in the Mains and 200 in the Personality Test, showcasing her strong performance across all stages.
Inspiration from Setbacks: Missing the 2023 cutoff by 12 marks was a turning point, pushing her to refine her strategy and ultimately succeed in 2024.
Inspiration for Aspirants: Shakti’s journey from a small town to AIR 1, especially as a woman, highlights the power of perseverance and equal opportunities. Her story resonates with aspirants from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, proving that success is achievable with focus and hard work.
Advice to Aspirants: She recommended focusing on previous years’ questions, taking multiple mock tests, and maintaining a positive mindset. She emphasized that the UPSC exam is just one part of life and encouraged aspirants to stay resilient with family support.
Motivational Quotes: Shakti, a poet at heart, shared inspiring thoughts, such as, “The cracks were the real weakness of those walls. But the cracks were also the reason the light entered,” reflecting her belief in turning setbacks into opportunities.
Shakti Dubey’s AIR 1 in UPSC CSE 2024 was the result of seven years of relentless effort, strategic planning, and mental fortitude. Her ability to overcome multiple failures, adapt her approach, and leverage her academic strengths while aligning with her passion for public service made her a standout candidate. Her journey, marked by discipline, limited but effective resources, and a focus on answer writing and mock tests, offers a blueprint for aspiring civil servants
