24 October 2026
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Best of 2021

Presenting our top five stories from the year 2021 by our correspondents Bhakti Kothari, Raghav Goyal, Ritushree Singh, and Biki Sarmah.
Indian Masterminds Stories

As the roller coaster year of 2021 comes to an end, we salute and commend our bureaucrats, both old and new, as they achieve several milestones in their life. Cracking an examination as tough as the Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Services Examination is not everyone’s cup of tea. These newly appointed officers have certainly proved their mettle by conquering India’s toughest examination. They are now on their path of bringing monumental changes in whichever area that they are posted. We hope that these new officers bring a light of hope to their people’s lives and ease out the path for the public wherever they go.

Keeping this in mind Indian Masterminds brings you some of the best stories from the year 2021, expressing the true hard work and determination of these young minds.

A VIRAL MEME STAR FOR SECURING 99.6% IN 12TH BOARD, BAGS AIR 17 IN FIRST ATTEMPT

In 2014, Sarthak Agarwal had become a viral meme star for securing 99.6% in his 12th board exam. In 2020, he has become a UPSC star by securing AIR 17 in the premier examination of the country. Before appearing for the exam, he was working in World Bank as a Researcher in the Poverty & Equity Global Unit. In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Sarthak revealed what made him leave the World Bank and get into Indian civil services.

Read the entire story here: Sarthak Agarwal

WHY A DOCTOR CHOSE IAS AFTER MBBS

Dr. Akshita Gupta, from Ambala, Punjab, was known as an MBBS doctor till the other day. Today, she has added another qualification to her name. That of an IAS! She cleared the civil services exam in her first attempt with a top rank of 69 this year. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Dr. Gupta said that she decided to join IAS because it’s a better platform for her to help the needy.

Read the entire story here: Dr. Akshita Gupta

AN MBBS DOCTOR WHO CRACKED UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAM TWICE

Dr. Shubham Maurya from Bhadohi district, Uttar Pradesh, cracked the UPSC Civil Services examination twice – 2019 and 2020. To crack one of India’s toughest exams two times in a row is not an easy feat. A feat he managed to perform by his precision to details and confidence in his skills – qualities honed by his training in medical science. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the doctor revealed what made him make the jump to civil service.

Read the entire story here: Shubham Maurya

TREAT UPSC LIKE ANY OTHER EXAM, SAYS THE BOY WHO GOT AIR 149 IN FIRST TRY, WITHOUT COACHING

By clearing UPSC 2020 exam in his very first attempt, and that too, without any coaching, 22-year-old Adarsh Kant Shukla of Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, proved that one can crack a competitive exam without joining coaching classes. In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the young achiever talked about his UPSC journey and, also, the places he would like to work in.

Read the entire story here: Adarsh Kant Shukla

AN INSPIRING JOURNEY OF AN “AVERAGE’’ STUDENT TURNED IAS OFFICER

Among the top candidates who manage to qualify for the UPSC exam every year, we have got you an inspirational story of a 2018 batch IAS officer who managed to clear the exam in the first attempt despite being an average student throughout his life. Mr. Himanshu Kaushik’s story is the epitome of dedication and hard work- a perfect antidote for people who discourage themselves due to their grades in studies. In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Kaushik shared his success story and what is he looking forward to in his administrative career.

Read the entire story here: Himanshu Kaushik


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