P. K. Sidharth Ramkumar IAS/UPSC 2023-24 Rank-4

P. K. Sidharth Ramkumar secured All India Rank 4 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 on his fourth attempt. Originally from Kochi, Kerala, he has a background in architecture and completed his degree at Kerala University in 2019. His interest in civil services began while interning in his final semester, and despite facing setbacks, including not clearing his first prelims and missing the rank cutoff in subsequent attempts, he persevered. His journey is marked by dedication and strategic preparation. Prior to securing this rank, he was undergoing training for the Indian Police Service (IPS), having achieved AIR 121 in the 2022 examination.

Sidharth completed his schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kochi, and pursued architecture at Kerala University. Balancing his academic career with UPSC preparation, he started studying for the exam during his final semester internship. His interest in governance, urban development, and planning from his architectural background contributed to his desire to pursue the IAS.

Sidharth comes from a well-established family in Kerala. His father, Ramkumar, is a retired school principal, and his mother, Rathi, is a homemaker. The family has been supportive of his ambitions throughout his long and challenging UPSC journey.

Sidharth’s diverse academic background and exposure to urban development sparked his interest in civil services, particularly the IAS. The prospect of working in diverse fields like smart cities, urban planning, and policy-making aligned with his skills and passion. His initial curiosity about different branches of civil services gradually led him to the IAS, where he saw the most potential for making meaningful contributions, leveraging his planning expertise for the nation's progress.

Sidharth’s UPSC journey was not without its struggles. His first attempt in 2020 was unsuccessful as he couldn't clear the prelims. In his second attempt in 2021, he achieved a rank that placed him in the Indian Post and Telecom Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS). His third attempt in 2022 saw him achieve AIR 121, leading to his selection for the IPS. However, during IPS training in Hyderabad, he continued his preparation for another attempt. His journey is a testament to perseverance, as he dealt with the uncertainty of clearing exams, handling results, and balancing training while preparing for the next exam.

He faced ethical dilemmas during this journey, such as deciding whether to continue after securing an IPS rank, but his passion for the IAS kept him motivated. His fourth and final attempt in 2023, where he secured AIR 4, reflects his determination.

Sidharth focused on strategic study habits and learning from previous toppers. He balanced his architecture studies with UPSC preparation and focused on current affairs, anthropology, and continuous revision.

For Prelims:
He concentrated on building a solid foundation of general studies and regularly followed current affairs through The Hindu and Indian Express for comprehensive coverage of political, judicial, and other topics. He utilized resources like Rau’s IAS and other online platforms, which helped him stay updated and improve his understanding.

For Mains:
Sidharth's strategy for mains involved regular answer writing and in-depth analysis of previous years' question papers. He improved his skills by focusing on concept clarity rather than rote memorization, particularly in subjects like anthropology, his optional subject. This approach helped him score high in GS papers and his optional subject.

For Interview:
Sidharth approached the interview with a focus on demonstrating his dedication to public service. He credits mock interviews for refining his answers, but he also kept his responses natural during the final interview. His IPS training experience added a layer of practical knowledge, making him well-prepared for discussions around governance, public policy, and ethical dilemmas.