Ashish Kumar IAS/UPSC 2023-24 Rank-8

Ashish Kumar hails from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, and secured the 8th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. His journey to becoming an IAS officer was marked by immense dedication, perseverance, and resilience, as it was his fifth attempt after facing consecutive failures in his previous attempts. Ashish left his job in the IT sector, where he worked with Cognizant, to pursue his dream of serving society through the civil services. His educational background, with a master’s degree from IIT Kharagpur, and his family’s support played a significant role in his success.

Ashish completed his B.Tech and M.Tech in Manufacturing Science and Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. His time at IIT helped him develop critical analytical and problem-solving skills, which proved invaluable in preparing for the diverse range of subjects in the UPSC exam. His strong educational background also played a crucial role in overcoming the challenges presented by the rigorous exam.

Ashish Kumar belongs to an educationally inclined family. His father is a professional in the education sector, and his mother is a homemaker. His family was a solid pillar of support throughout his preparation journey, which helped him persist through multiple failures and finally achieve his dream of securing an All-India Rank (AIR) 8 in 2023.

Ashish Kumar left a promising career in the IT sector at Cognizant to pursue a career in the civil services. His decision stemmed from his desire to contribute meaningfully to society, particularly by working to improve the lives of marginalized communities. The challenging and diverse opportunities offered by the civil services motivated him to continue preparing despite facing four unsuccessful attempts. His interest in Sociology, which became his optional subject, was aligned with his aspiration to work for social development and upliftment.

Ashish’s journey to cracking the UPSC exam was not an easy one. He attempted the exam four times before finally succeeding in his fifth attempt. These failures could have discouraged anyone, but Ashish’s determination never wavered. He consistently refined his preparation strategy, learning from each setback and using it as fuel for his future success. His ability to manage stress and failure while maintaining a clear focus on his goal is a testament to his perseverance.

For Prelims:
Ashish emphasized a balanced approach to the UPSC Prelims. He focused on conceptual clarity, understanding the basic principles in each subject, and practicing extensively with previous years’ papers. He also advised aspirants to be thorough with current affairs, as it plays a pivotal role in both the Prelims and Mains exams.

For Mains:
For the Mains exam, Ashish made sure to enrich his answers with relevant examples, especially in Sociology, his optional subject. Answer writing practice was crucial to his preparation, as it helped him improve his speed and structure answers effectively within the word limit. Regular revision and keeping up with key issues were essential elements of his strategy.

For Interview:
Ashish approached the interview stage with a mindset of calm confidence. He focused on developing a balanced perspective on societal issues, which helped him answer questions more effectively. He believed in being natural in front of the interview panel and showcasing a well-rounded personality. His past failures shaped his strong resolve, which shone through during the interview.