For Abhishek Vashishtha, a native of Delhi, the news of securing All India Rank 14 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 arrived in the most unexpected setting. Currently undergoing IPS training at the National Police Academy (a culmination of his 2020 allocation to the service via the 2022 exam), Abhishek was on an ITBP attachment in Mussoorie, engaged in a rock-climbing module. Suspended between the ground and the sky, the shouts from below pierced through the air, proclaiming his remarkable achievement.
RESULT REACTION
“I was literally hanging between the ground and the sky when people started to shout from below that you got AIR 14,” he recounts, his voice still tinged with disbelief. The immediate urge was to descend and witness the result firsthand. The realisation of his rank took a couple of days to fully sink in. Now, the feeling is slowly but surely settling in.
This adventurous anecdote marks the culmination of a long and transformative journey for Abhishek. His inspiration to enter the UPSC arena sparked early in his B.Tech days at a government college in Delhi. While the first year clarified what he didn’t want – a career solely in engineering design – the path forward remained hazy. Fortuitously, a professor preparing for the UPSC mains that year introduced the class to the civil services, highlighting the opportunity to work at the grassroots level and effect meaningful societal change. This resonated deeply with Abhishek. Subsequent personal research into the service profiles solidified his interest, aligning with his inherent personality. Following his B.Tech, serious preparation commenced.
BACKGROUND
Hailing from a humble background, he witnessed his parents’ struggles to ensure his education. “The first credit goes to my parents,” he states, acknowledging their sacrifices and constant support throughout his journey, never pressuring him despite initial setbacks. He also warmly acknowledges the significant contributions of his wife and sister, emphasising that his achievement is a result of collective support, including friends and, ultimately, divine blessings.
Being married, Abhishek offers a unique perspective on balancing family life with the demanding UPSC preparation and his job. He believes a supportive partner makes the journey significantly easier, providing a confidant to share insecurities, fears, and anxieties without judgement. Furthermore, a partner’s unwavering belief can be a powerful motivator. Abhishek also posits that while the academic aspect of UPSC is manageable, maintaining mental fortitude is crucial. A stable personal life enhances productivity and efficiency in studies.
EIGHT YEARS OF JOURNEY
Abhishek’s UPSC journey spanned approximately eight years, commencing in 2017. He describes it as an incremental learning process marked by both setbacks and eventual triumphs. His first attempt in 2018 saw him miss the prelims cut-off by a narrow margin. The second attempt in 2019 resulted in clearing prelims but falling short in the mains by a single mark. While disheartening, these failures fuelled his determination. In his third attempt, he secured the IRS. Subsequent attempts involved facing overconfidence, navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-affected exam schedule, securing IPS in the fifth attempt, and finally achieving AIR 14 in his sixth and final attempt.
Acknowledging the inevitable low points, anxiety, and self-doubt that plague aspirants, Abhishek emphasises that these are common phases. He believes the key lies in one’s reaction. Drawing inspiration from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he stresses the importance of being process-oriented. Focusing on the process rather than dwelling solely on the result is crucial, as the latter is a consequence of the former. A strong peer group of fellow aspirants provided vital support during demotivating times.
PREPARATION STRATEGY
Test series played a crucial role in Abhishek’s preparation. His initial failure in prelims prompted a thorough analysis, leading him to prioritise accuracy and aim for a score significantly above the cut-off. Analysing previous year papers revealed recurring themes and helped him prioritise subjects like polity, economics, and environment.
For mains preparation, Abhishek debunks the notion that it is solely about current affairs. He emphasises the static nature of a significant portion of the GS papers and highlights recurring themes. He advocated for creating comprehensive notes for specific mains topics, incorporating both static knowledge and relevant current affairs for value addition. Answer writing, he believes, is a skill honed through consistent practice, ideally within a peer group for mutual evaluation. He recommends a structured approach with clear introductions, well-divided body paragraphs, and concise conclusions.
Regarding the personality test, Abhishek shares his journey of improvement after initial setbacks. His key realisation was the importance of being oneself. He consciously decided to be natural, honest, and constitutionally, legally, and morally correct in his responses. Even when unsure, he admitted it frankly. He believes in justifying one’s stand with logical arguments and sticking to them unless proven wrong. His preparation for the interview included focusing on current affairs, his service background, and some current events.
MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS
For aspirants facing the upcoming prelims 2025, Abhishek offers specific advice: Prioritise high-weightage subjects like polity, economics, and environment for thorough and multiple revisions. Practice daily by taking mock tests to familiarise themselves with the UPSC question pattern and improve time management. Analyse previous year papers to understand recurring themes and develop effective elimination techniques.
Limit resources and focus on in-depth revision of select materials. Finally, he strongly advises against starting UPSC preparation due to external pressures. Internal motivation, a clear understanding of “why” one wants to be a civil servant, is crucial for sustaining the long and demanding journey. This “why” will serve as a guiding force during moments of doubt and demotivation.
