In a small village, Bagh, in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, opportunities have traditionally been limited, and access to higher education remains a challenge. In a region where the literacy rate is barely around 39 per cent and nearly 90 per cent of the population belongs to tribal communities, dreams often remain constrained by circumstances.
But this year, one such dream broke through those limitations.
Pakshal Secretry secured All India Rank 8 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 — one of the most competitive examinations in the country. For Pakshal, the achievement is not just about a rank. It is about representing a region where very few students have even attempted the exam, let alone cleared it.
For many in his village, his success is the first time they have seen someone from their area reach this stage.
“I come from a small village in Dhar district where about 90% of the population is tribal. Our area is quite backward and the literacy rate is around 39 percent,” Pakshal shared in an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds.
No one from his block had cleared the UPSC earlier, making this achievement a historic moment for the region.
GROWING UP IN A VILLAGE WITH LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES
Pakshal’s childhood was shaped by the realities of rural India. His family comes from a modest background. His father runs a retail store, which has supported the family for years.
Like many children in rural areas, Pakshal studied in a government school until Class 12. Resources were limited, but he remained focused on academics.
Despite the challenges, his performance in school opened the door to one of India’s most prestigious institutions — Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
Moving from a small tribal village to IIT Kanpur was a major turning point in his life.
IIT KANPUR AND THE IDEA OF CIVIL SERVICES
Pakshal completed his graduation from IIT Kanpur, but during those years another ambition slowly took shape — the desire to enter the civil services.
The decision did not come suddenly. He had been thinking about it for nearly two years before committing fully to the preparation. He completed his graduation in 2023 and appeared for the UPSC examination the same year.
His success in 2025 came in his third attempt.
MOTIVATION ROOTED IN HIS BACKGROUND
Pakshal says his biggest motivation came from the realities he witnessed while growing up.
“I have personally witnessed poverty, lack of development and issues related to women’s empowerment in such areas. I genuinely want to work on these problems.”
Another powerful influence came from within his family.
“It was also my grandfather’s dream that someone from our family should enter administrative services. He always encouraged me to pursue this path.”
THE RESULT DAY HE WILL NEVER FORGET
Like most UPSC aspirants, Pakshal remembers the day the result was announced with absolute clarity.
For several days before the announcement, there was speculation online about when the results would be released. Anxiety among aspirants kept rising.
Pakshal and two of his friends initially planned to check the results together.
But at the last moment, he decided otherwise.
“My friends and I thought we would check the result together, but I felt I should check it alone. I went to my room and waited.”
When the list appeared, he immediately noticed his name.
“By God’s grace my name was right at the top of the list. I didn’t even have to scroll much. The satisfaction in that moment was immense.”
When he informed his family, the reaction was emotional. His father, who had quietly supported his preparation, was overwhelmed with happiness.
THE STRATEGY BEHIND THE SUCCESS
Pakshal believes that many aspirants overcomplicate their preparation. According to him, sticking to standard books.
“Standard books are the best. The key is revising them again and again rather than constantly searching for new sources.”
For the Prelims, he focused heavily on practice. In his final attempt, he solved around 60–70 mock tests, carefully analysing every paper to identify mistakes and improve accuracy.
HOW HE PREPARED FOR MAINS
For the Mains examination, Pakshal concentrated on structured note-making.
His approach was simple but systematic — for every topic in the syllabus and every previous year question, he prepared concise notes.
By the time the exam approached, he ensured that he had at least two pages of ready content for each topic, making revision much easier.
He also used AI tools during preparation, mainly to gather examples, keywords and additional perspectives that could strengthen his answers.
At the same time, he studied notes prepared by previous toppers and included useful value additions in his own material.
FACING THE INTERVIEW BOARD
For the interview stage, Pakshal focused on improving awareness and clarity of thought.
His preparation included:
- Reading two newspapers daily
- Participating in mock interviews
- Discussing current affairs with peers
Interestingly, some of the questions during his interview revolved around his own name.
He explained that the word “Pakshal” is associated with Jain traditions and refers to the ritual bathing of a deity.
The board also asked him questions on governance issues such as corruption and topics related to his optional subject Economics.
ADVICE FOR UPSC ASPIRANTS
After securing AIR 8, Pakshal shared three important suggestions for students preparing for the UPSC examination.
First, he emphasised the importance of mental balance.
“This preparation is very exhausting, so it’s important to take at least 15–20 minutes every day for yourself. Mental health matters.”
Second, he highlighted the value of consistent effort.
“Hard work and sincere effort eventually pay off. The more honestly you work, the better the outcome.”
Finally, he offered a thoughtful warning about the increasing dependence on AI tools.
“AI can be both a boon and a bane. It can quickly create information overload. Use it for value addition, but your core understanding must come from standard sources.”
