UPSC Topper 2023: Aditya Srivastava IAS

June 21, 2024

6 Minutes

IAS Aditya Srivastava- UPSC Topper 2023 (Image Source: Mint)

Introduction

If there were a quote that could perfectly describe UPSC Topper 2023 Aditya Srivastava’s IAS preparation journey, it would be Steve Jobs’ words,

"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

On June 12th, the internet and news screens across India flashed, “UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023 result announced.” Hundreds of dreams came true, and millions of hearts were broken, but like every year, one name stole the spotlight: Aditya Srivastava. An IIT Kanpur graduate from Lucknow, Aditya topped one of the toughest exams in India. As the day went on, various aspects of his preparation and journey began to surface on social media and news channels.

Let’s delve into the early life and preparation journey of Aditya Srivastava to understand how a boy from City Montessori School went on to achieve greatness, becoming an inspiration for millions of UPSC aspirants across the country. Please note that the details of his journey have been researched from the internet and his interviews.

Early life of UPSC Topper 2023 Aditya Srivastava IAS

UPSC Topper 2023 Aditya Srivastava was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. His father worked in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, while his mother was a homemaker. After completing his early education, he was admitted to the Aliganj branch of Lucknow’s renowned City Montessori School, affiliated with the ICSE board. He passed the 12th standard with 95% marks. In one of his interviews, Aditya mentioned that he was always good at studies, and his father’s encouragement to study hard always motivated him to push his limits.

Aditya Srivastava’s Higher Education

After finishing school, Aditya Srivastava prepared for the IIT-JEE and qualified for the exam on his first attempt. During counseling, he decided to pursue Electrical Engineering at IIT Kanpur. In 2014, he enrolled in the B.Tech-M.Tech dual degree program, completing it in 2019. During his time at one of India's most respected institutions, Aditya developed an interest in cybersecurity.

Check out: IPS Bajrang Prasad Yadav’s Path to UPSC

UPSC Topper 2023 Aditya Srivastava’s Life Post-College

After completing his degree, Aditya joined Goldman Sachs, a renowned global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm, and began his professional career. In one of his conversations, Aditya mentioned that since childhood, he had always aspired to become an IAS officer, drawing inspiration from one of his relatives. At his job, he primarily did coding and earned a good income, but it didn't provide the kind of satisfaction he sought in life. He had always believed that his work should be connected to the grassroots, uplifting the downtrodden and being people-centric. Frustrated with the monotonous work that lacked the impact he wanted to create, he started preparing for the UPSC Civil Services exam and took his first attempt. Despite his hard work, he missed clearing the prelims by just 2-3 marks. Following this, Aditya decided to devote all his time and energy to the Civil Services exam. Taking a big step, he resigned from his job to fully focus on his UPSC preparation.

Aditya Srivastava UPSC Preparation Journey

After leaving Goldman Sachs, UPSC topper 2023 Aditya Srivastava began his full-time preparation for the UPSC exam, dedicating himself entirely to the process. After thorough preparation, he took his second attempt at the UPSC CSE in 2022. This time, he cleared the prelims, mains, and finally the personality test. He secured an All India Rank of 236 and opted for the Indian Police Service (IPS). Despite obtaining a respectable service and joining training, his childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer lingered in his mind. Driven by this dream, Aditya Srivastava continued his preparation during his training, working hard to fulfill his aspiration of making a significant impact on society. With utmost dedication, consistency, and perseverance, he prepared for the exam once again.

A Dream Comes True

In his UPSC CSE 2023 attempt, Aditya pushed his limits and successfully cleared both the Prelims and Mains exams. He then appeared for the interview, feeling confident that it had gone well. However, the unpredictable nature of the exam still made him nervous. During a media interaction, Aditya mentioned that on the morning of the UPSC CSE 2023 result day, he prayed to God to place him in the top 70, but destiny had even bigger plans for him. When the UPSC announced the CSE 2023 results, Aditya found himself at the pinnacle of success. To his surprise, he had topped the exam with AIR 1, an outcome he had not anticipated. Suddenly, he was all over the news, and his childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer finally came true. Aditya’s UPSC journey is a living example that if you don’t give up on your dream and give it your all, it will eventually come true.

Must read: Aaditya Pandey’s Journey of Finding UPSC Motivation Within

Lessons to learn from UPSC CSE 2023 Topper Aditya Srivastava’s Journey

Embracing Challenges in Life

In an interview, Aditya expressed that from a young age, he had a passion for embracing challenges in life. He explained that this mindset extended beyond academics to all aspects of life, including sports, where he always pushed himself to excel. Aditya believes this approach can inspire aspirants to give their best in their preparations.

Analyzing CSE PYQs and Finding Patterns

After narrowly missing his first prelims attempt, Aditya decided to introspect and identify patterns in the exam. He meticulously studied UPSC CSE previous years’ questions, conducting a deep and thorough analysis to grasp the examiner’s mindset and the exam’s patterns. In an interaction, Aditya mentioned that this method significantly aided him in his subsequent attempt.

Must read: IRS Arushi Sharma's Path from Engineering to UPSC Success

Adopting an Integrated Approach

During an interview, Aditya emphasised the importance of adopting an integrated approach to UPSC CSE preparation. While the focus should primarily be on the Mains examination, aspirants should also pay attention to the prelims exam pattern. By incorporating prelims patterns into their Mains-centric preparation, they can develop a comprehensive strategy that enhances their chances of achieving the best results.

Bouncing Back Stronger

UPSC CSE demands rigorous preparation and utmost dedication, and setbacks in this journey can take a heavy toll on an aspirant’s overall mindset. When Aditya failed in his first attempt, it must have been disappointing, but he refused to let his morale falter. He resigned from a respectable job and gave it his all. His self-belief and determination to come back stronger allowed him to persevere and successfully crack the exam in the very next attempt.

Conclusion

Aditya Srivastava's journey from a determined student at City Montessori School to a successful UPSC Topper is a reflection of perseverance, dedication, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams. His story teaches us that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to success. Aditya's ability to bounce back stronger after his initial setback, resigning from a lucrative job to pursue his passion, reflects his commitment to making a meaningful impact on society.

His integrated approach to preparation, meticulous analysis of previous year's question papers, and his belief in embracing challenges are valuable lessons for every UPSC aspirant. Aditya's story inspires us to never give up on our dreams, to push our limits, and to strive for excellence with unwavering determination.

As Aditya Srivastava continues his journey, aspiring to contribute to the nation as an IAS officer, his success stands as a beacon of hope and motivation for millions of UPSC aspirants across the country. His journey is a reminder that with perseverance and dedication, dreams do come true.

Also read: The Inspiring UPSC Success Story of Taskeen Khan

Data Source: ForumIAS and Economic Times