Latest news with #UPSC2024
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Govt approves IIFT's proposal to open first offshore campus in Dubai
Archit Dongre, who secured AIR 3 in UPSC 2024, credits his success to VisionIAS guidance, strategic planning, consistent effort, and passion. His journey highlights disciplined learning, smart preparation, and continuous improvement in cracking the challenging civil services examination.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Lovely Professional University suspends MoUs with Türkiye and Azerbaijan, says national security a top priority
Archit Dongre, who secured AIR 3 in UPSC 2024, credits his success to VisionIAS guidance, strategic planning, consistent effort, and passion. His journey highlights disciplined learning, smart preparation, and continuous improvement in cracking the challenging civil services examination.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
UPSC 2024: After three failures, Abhishek Singh fought back to finish 78th in his 4th attempt
In a world where one failure can derail dreams, Abhishek Singh's story stands tall as a reminder that perseverance still pays off. A native of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, and an alumnus of IIT Hyderabad , Abhishek failed not once but thrice in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination . But on his fourth attempt in UPSC 2024 , he cracked the prestigious test with an All India Rank of 78 . Far from being disheartened by repeated setbacks, Singh went back to the drawing board each time, refining his approach with calm determination. "Consistency and hard work carried me through the darkest days,' he says, reflecting on the long, emotionally demanding road to success. An engineer drawn to public service Though Singh graduated in engineering from IIT Hyderabad , he was never interested in corporate careers or coding jobs. 'My heart was always drawn to public service,' he says. That conviction became the bedrock of his UPSC journey—a decision rooted more in purpose than profession. His preparation began with a methodical strategy: Rely on standard sources , stay syllabus-focused, and track Previous Year Questions (PYQs) religiously. 'PYQs helped me understand what the exam really demands. They kept me aligned,' he notes. Writing matters more than reading UPSC, according to Singh, isn't an exam for rote learners. 'It doesn't just test your knowledge. It tests your retention, clarity, and precision ,' he says. To master the art of answer writing, he dedicated a full six months to focused practice—an investment that paid off during the Mains stage. 'That habit of writing daily not only helped in the exam, but built my confidence too,' he adds. The game-changing shift to Anthropology By the time his fourth attempt came around, Singh made a bold move—he ditched Civil Engineering, his initial optional, and switched to Anthropology . It was a calculated risk, and one that transformed his scorecard. 'It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my journey,' he says, smiling. With 298 marks in Anthropology, the optional paper became a deciding factor in securing his top-100 finish. What Abhishek learnt from failure and meditation Through three failed attempts, Singh endured not only academic rejection but personal challenges as well. 'I faced multiple health issues. There were moments I felt broken,' he recalls. But instead of spiraling, he turned inward—drawing strength from his parents' dreams, his friends' support, and Vipassana meditation , which he credits for helping him stay mentally centred. 'UPSC is not just an exam; it's a transformative experience ,' he feels. 'Embracing the process made me a better person, not just a better aspirant.' The power of guidance As the personality test approached, Singh leaned on structured mentorship to prepare for one of the most unpredictable phases of the exam. He recalls how the mock sessions with his mentor, Shubham Aggarwal of Vidyapeeth IAS didn't just polish his responses—but helped him stay grounded, calm, and clear-headed in the days leading up to the interview. 'On the day of my actual interview, I was feeling anxious. His words gave me the steadiness I needed,' Singh reveals. UPSC is not the end of life As Singh steps into the next chapter of his life in public service, his message to aspirants is grounded and clear-eyed. 'Believe in yourself. Be consistent. Stay grounded. And above all, enjoy the journey,' he says. Singh leaves behind a piece of wisdom only failure can teach. 'Give UPSC your all, but don't attach your entire identity to it . Hard work and luck both matter—but so does knowing when to breathe, reflect, and move forward,' he signs off. From the mentor's desk Aggarwal, his mentor, recalls Singh as one of the most memorable candidates he's mentored. 'At first glance, he looked like a simple, small-town boy—a desi lad from Jaunpur. But inside that simplicity was an IIT mind and a fire to serve ,' he recalls. Describing Singh as 'humble, sharp, hardworking, and full of gratitude', Aggarwal adds, 'He kept his mentors on their toes. He's the kind of student every teacher hopes for.' AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Recent rank holders share their success stories
An exciting and impactful interaction with recent UPSC rank holders was one of the highlights of the second and final day of The Hindu Civil Service Gateway Summit 2025 held here in the State capital. The session provided valuable insights to young participants at the summit into personal systems, work ethic and strategies adopted by the winners for cracking the gruelling UPSC exam. Nandanaa G.P., ranked 47 in th UPSC 2024 exams, stressed the importance of strategic preparation. 'Aim to clear the exam in your first attempt with focused study and disciplined practice. If setbacks occur, don't be disheartened,' she said. Devika Priyadersini, who was ranked 95, said she had committed two straight years to her effort, dedicating eight to ten hours daily. 'It wasn't just about putting in long hours; it was about a strategic and logical approach, especially when it came to cracking CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test). Tools like mobile apps played a crucial role in managing time efficiently,' she said. Commenting on the personality test (interview), Vaisakh C.R. observed that what truly sets you apart is how you present yourself before the interview board; your purpose, clarity of thought, and conviction matter, he said. An oft-heard question at the summit was whether one should have a mentor for preparing for the Civil Services exams or should one go it alone. According to Saumya Krishnan, having a mentor was immensely helpful for her. 'Their guidance not only streamlined my preparation but also saved valuable time since I could correct mistakes early,' she said. For repeaters, it is crucial to analyse past failures, she added. Soma Basu, Senior Deputy Editor, The Hindu, moderated the session.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Indian Foreign Service offers an exceptional career path, says Jeeva Maria Joy
The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) offers an exceptional career path where diplomacy, international relations, and national interests intersect, Jeeva Maria Joy, an IFS officer who cleared the Civil Services examination in her second attempt, said at The Hindu Civil Service Gateway Summit 2025 on Saturday. Exploring the intricacies of the IFS was one of the most rewarding aspects of her preparation, she said. Observing that the role of an IFS officer is multifaceted, she said the diplomatic world requires a unique blend of skills- strategic thinking, effective communication and a keen understanding of global politics. IPS officer Shahansha K.S. addressed a session on 'Civil Services preparation and the scope of IPS.' There's no universal formula for success as each journey is unique, he said. According to Mr. Shahansha, who cleared the exams in the seventh attempt, persistence, adaptability and a well-designed strategy are extremely useful ingredients for acing the exams. He described each failure as a lesson that sharpened his strategy and strengthened his resolve. Also, trying to imitate someone else's path would not work, he added. Nandanaa G.P., ranked 47 in the UPSC 2024 exams, addressed a session on 'How to read newspaper for cracking Civil Services.' The time between Prelims and Mains is best spent on thoroughly reading newspapers. It is crucial to stay updated with current affairs, as they play a significant role in both the Mains and Interview stages, she said.
