Latest news with #UPSC2023
Time of India
23-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rae Bareli youth defies odds, scales UPSC with AIR 73
1 2 Lucknow: Defying odds, Shivam Singh cracked UPSC Civil Services exam in 2023 after four failed attempts. But as it was not to his expectations, Shivam continued and scaled merit list with 73rd rank this time. The 28-year-old from UP's Rae Bareli also overcame financial constraints. His father, Ram Naresh, runs a small roadside stationery shop in Rae Bareli. "It was difficult but hard work and perseverance paid off. My father providing us best education helped me reach great heights," said Shivam, under training at the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics, Palasamudram, Andhra Pradesh, after he cracked UPSC 2023 with AIR 877. A resident of Dalmau block in Rae Bareli, this was Shivam's sixth and last attempt for UPSC. "This was my last hope and I was expecting a rank under 100. In 2021, I secured the 38th rank in UP PCS and joined as SDM Gorakhpur. For three years — 2019, 2020, and 2022 — I couldn't qualify for prelims, and in 2021 I failed to clear the mains," he said. Shivam, the younger of two siblings, said, "In UPSC 2023, my performance in mains was below par, while I scored good marks in the interview. I evaluated my performance and found gaps in writing answers. Then I practised a lot and improved my writing and got the results," said Shivam. A mechanical engineer from IIT Dhanbad, Shivam said, "Though my father has a small business, he had great vision for his sons. Despite meagre income, he sent us to the best convent schools in our district and then took a loan to support my brother's education. I was fortunate as I got a fee waiver for my engineering."
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Double delight: Two friends ‘race' their way into UPSC top 50
Hyderabad: During their time at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad, Banna Venkatesh and Jayasimha Reddy Ravula , ran several races. What helped them finish these runs with ease was their common pace and banter. It was, perhaps, these sprints that eventually saw the two Telugu men make their way into the all India top 50 list, in the UPSC 2024 results announced on Tuesday. The duo hit the finish line with AIR 15 and 46 respectively. "Banna and I are very close…I am very happy for the both of us," an elated Reddy told TOI over telephone from Mussoorie where he is on ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) attachment training. With an AIR of 104 in UPSC 2023, he joined the NPA for IPS training where he met Venkatesh whose AIR was 467. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo On Tuesday, though, both of them were toppers. "I immediately made a video call to congratulate Banna. I miss not being at the same place today," the 26-year-old from Warangal said. This was his fifth attempt. At the NPA campus, Venkatesh was equally thrilled. Along with his own AIR 15, Venkatesh was also elated over his friend's success. "We became good friends within a very short period of time…It is our shared vision and commitment to bringing a positive change in society that forged this strong bond. I believe this camaraderie will enhance our ability to serve effectively once we are appointed as IAS officers ," said the 28-year-old from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh who quit his well-paying corporate job to prepare for the civil services examination. This was his third attempt. Both said how they helped each other with preparing for the UPSC interview, discussed issues and gained from each other's varied perspective on subjects. The two even participated in attachment training at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj recently. The Saturday runs, though, hold a special corner in their hearts. "These were 7 km, 8 km, 9 km runs for which Banna and I always teamed up. We used to run at the same pace and crack jokes along the way. Because of that we did not even realise when we finished the race," said Reddy. Now, the son of an agriculture university professor, wants to serve the people of the state – particularly the farming community -- through this IAS posting. Venkatesh too is hoping for a similar career trajectory. "Since IAS officers get opportunities to work across various departments—from education and welfare to health—it provides broader avenues for public service," he said, adding how he doesn't miss the corporate world he left behind. "Such a career leaves you with little personal satisfaction and does not allow you to serve your community, or society at large. In contrast, civil services provide a platform for direct public service, which is why I have chosen this career," Venkatesh rounded off.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Nari ‘Shakti': Prayagraj womantops Civil Services exam 2024
1 2 3 4 5 6 Prayagraj: Soon after the release of the Union Public Service Commission results of the Civil Services Examination 2024 on Tuesday, a thin unpaved road of Someshwar Nagar, which was added to the municipal boundaries of Prayagraj city a couple of years ago, suddenly hogged the national limelight. Shakti Dubey , 29-year-old daughter of a sub-inspector posted at the traffic department of Prayagraj, cracked the coveted examination, bagging the top position and thereby making history for the Sangam city. It was a show of ' Nari Shakti ' in the results as Harshita Goyal, a BCom graduate from MS University of Baroda, secured the second rank. "I was working in my office as part of my routine, and suddenly the call came from my home, telling me that the result is out, and my daughter has topped the civil service examination. I immediately called her up, but she had not seen the result by then," said Shakti's Devendra Dubey, while talking to TOI at his residence in the Naini area of the city. This was Shakti's second attempt as she had appeared in the UPSC 2023 and qualified the mains. "We all were very optimistic about her clearing the exam last year itself, but she missed out by a few marks, and I was very disappointed. But today, I feel she was destined to top the exam, not just clear it," said the proud father whose phone didn't stop ringing since noon. After passing her MSc from Banaras Hindu University, with a gold medal, Shakti went to Delhi, got enrolled in a coaching class, and started her preparation with all the commitment. However, during the pandemic, she got somewhat disorganised and did not attempt the exam for two years. But within a few months, she regained her confidence and again started her preparations, cracking the prelims and mains in her first attempt itself and finally bagging the all-India top slot in Civil Services 2024. It was also a proud moment for St Mary's Convent School, Ghoorpur, and Allahabad University too. After passing her class 12 from St Mary's Convent School, Ghoorpur, in 2012, Shakti was enrolled for BSc (biochemistry) from AU in 2013-14. She later moved to Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to pursue her MSc in biochemistry, where she topped in 2018. "It is all because of the blessing of Bhole Nath and the hard work of my daughter that she has topped the most prestigious exam of the country. We all are very happy and indebted to Lord Shiva," said Prema, her mother. Shakti, who is in Delhi, will be coming back to her hometown on April 23, where a grand welcome awaits her. "She used to study day and night and managed to take out time for household work too. She was too laborious, and it is her hard work that has paid off now," said the proud mother. Women from the Sangam city have even previously made their mark in the Civil Services exam. Saumya Pandey secured fourth rank in UPSC 2016 while Eva Sahay (also an alumna of AU) brought fame to the city by securing third rank in UPSC 2009. In 2023, Pratiksha Singh secured 52nd rank in her third attempt. In addition to this, Smriti Mishra (4th rank in 2022), Ananya Singh (51st rank in 2020) were other women achievers from the city. Muthiganj resident Wardah Khan secured 18th rank and Shreya Singh (639th rank in 2023) too joined the elite club.
