https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

“I AM Not Scared of Exams”, Says Akash Verma Who Cleared UPSC CSE Twice And Failed Twice

Akash Verma Secured AIR 20 in UPSC CSE 2023 This is his second triumph in this exam after he made it in 2021 He is currently under training as Indian Defence Accounts Services Officer
Indian Masterminds Stories

‘When you want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you achieve it’. Mr. Akash Verma journey is true testament for this famous quote of Paulo Coelho. Being an IAS officer was his dream.He cleared UPSC CSE in 2021, but got Indian Defence Account Services. This service was good and gave him a lot of learning opportunity but Mr. Verma didn’t want to stop before reaching his goal. He then made two more attempts and failed  in both of them. However, he secured his desired rank this year – in his fourth attempt.

Mr.  Verma’s journey to success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE)  2023 is a testament to perseverance, adaptability and dedication. Despite facing initial setbacks, he emerged triumphant, securing All India Rank 20 in the CSE 2023.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Verma shares his journey from IIT and IIM to Civil Services.

UPSC JOURNEY

His first attempt in UPSC CSE 2020 saw him reach the interview stage, but he narrowly missed his goal – the IAS. In 2021, although he secured a place, his optional subject, Public Administration, did not yield satisfactory marks, leading him to reconsider his strategy.

Undeterred by setbacks, Mr. Verma made strategic changes, opting for his graduation subject, Electrical Engineering, as his optional in subsequent attempts. Despite falling short in the 2022 exam, he remained resilient, determined to achieve his goal.

A graduate from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and a former student of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kolkata, Mr. Verma’s academic excellence laid a strong foundation for his journey. Initially choosing Public Administration due to its alignment with his MBA studies, he later transitioned back to his passion for Electrical Engineering, recognizing its potential for securing higher marks.

When asked about changing optionals he said, “I was fond of my graduating subject Electrical Engineering. But, then the UPSC syllabus was mostly theoretical so I was hesitant to take that. After I cleared in 2021, I decided to switch back to Electrical to score good marks.

IIT, IIM TO UPSC

Hailing from a humble background, with his father employed as a bank manager in Noida and his mother transitioning from academia to become a homemaker, Mr. Verma attributes his success to the unwavering support and guidance of his parents. Recognizing his weaknesses early on, they provided him with the necessary resources and encouragement, instilling in him a resilient mindset crucial for overcoming challenges.

It was his parents who motivated him to get into IIT. A selection in IIT made him confident to tackle any challenges in life.

After I cleared IIT, I was never scared of any exams. Preparing for exams became a part of life. Due to that I was able to clear CAT and now UPSC CSE twice”, he told Indian Masterminds.

DIPLOMATIC ANSWERS DON’T GET YOU GOOD MARKS

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Verma emphasizes the importance of authenticity in responses during the UPSC CSE, debunking the myth of relying on diplomatic answers. He stresses the significance of backing beliefs with factual evidence, a strategy that proved instrumental in his success.

“UPSC wants to test your real personality. So, being diplomatic doesn’t really help. I learnt it later on in my journey. You need tobe clear in your ideas and thoughts but have facts to back it up. It is all about convincing yourself and examiner about your stand”, said the topper.

Acknowledging the value of coaching and test series, Mr. Verma underscores their role in breaking mental barriers and honing writing skills essential for the exam. Additionally, he highlights the benefits of mock interviews, citing their role in cultivating humility and preparing candidates for the rigors of the actual interview process.

As Mr. Verma embarks on his journey as an IAS officer, he remains committed to leveraging his experiences to serve as an asset to the nation. With his unwavering determination and resilience, Mr. Akash Verma exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and excellence, inspiring aspiring civil servants across the country.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
8th pay commission
Big Breaking! 8th Pay Commission May Merge DA With Basic Pay: A Historic Salary Reform Set to Reshape Government Pay Structure
ONGC_resized
ONGC Launches 2025 Apprenticeship Program with 2,623 Vacancies — Empowering India’s Youth for Energy Sector Careers
PNB-resized
PNB Unlocks Rs 1,007 Crore by Selling 10% Stake in Canara HSBC Life Ahead of IPO — Strategic Move to Strengthen Core Operations
ONGC_resized
India’s State-Run Oil Giants Invest Rs 46,600 Crore in Five Months — ONGC and IOC Lead Push for Energy Infrastructure Growth
CIL & IIT Madras Tie Up
Coal India and IIT Madras Join Forces to Launch ‘Centre for Sustainable Energy’ — A Major Step Toward India’s Net-Zero Future
Rajasthan-Police
Rajasthan: 34 IPS Senior Officers Transferred in Major Reshuffle; New DG Post Created in SOG-ATS, Sachin Mittal Made New Police Commissioner of Jaipur
IRTS logo
Senior IRTS Officer Ranjan Prakash Thakur Prematurely Repatriated from ONGC to Parent Cadre for Promotion
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 16.46
How IPS Alok Raj Narayan is Changing Policing in Uttar Pradesh
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT