At an age when most people slow down professionally and academically, Dr. Adarsh Singh decided to go back to school—not by taking a sabbatical or stepping away from his role, but by attending online classes after long days as a senior bureaucrat. In 2023, while managing high-pressure postings and constant transfers, he enrolled in a Master’s program in International Relations from a reputed university on Coursera. Two years later, not only did he finish the degree on time, but he also graduated with the first rank and a gold medal.
And yet, when asked about this achievement during an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, he laughed, saying, “Honestly, it was quite shocking. Even now, I find it extremely hard to believe that it actually happened.”
This humility is characteristic of Dr. Singh, the current Excise Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh. But the story behind this new academic milestone—and the journey that led him to the civil services—goes much deeper.
A FAILURE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Long before he topped a Master’s program or cleared UPSC with an All India Rank of 47, Dr. Singh faced a setback that many Indian students consider catastrophic.
He failed in 11th-grade Mathematics.
In a country where Maths often becomes the deciding factor for future careers, this failure felt heavy. “This happened for the very first time in my entire academic school life. I was an above-average student, but this was shocking for me,” he recalled.
Science had been chosen for him because he scored well in 10th. Humanities had been his natural inclination, but societal expectations pushed him elsewhere. That one failure forced him to re-evaluate his choices, refocus his energy, and complete his 12th-grade exams with a respectable score. But the struggle with Maths eliminated engineering, leaving only one socially acceptable option—medicine.
THE MBBS DETOUR
Coming from a family where his father was a doctor, MBBS became the default path. Yet it didn’t sit well with him. His first attempt at getting a seat didn’t work out. That gap year, filled with introspection and preparation, eventually led him into a medical college—but the discomfort remained.
“Upon entering medical college, I harboured the misconception that the workload would be lighter compared to previous academic endeavours. Reality hit hard as I soon discovered the rigorous demands of medical education,” he said.
But academia was never the issue. He could study, and study well. What troubled him was the lack of connection with the field.
Medicine was respected, stable, and predictable—but it wasn’t his calling.
DISCOVERING A NEW DREAM: UPSC
By his final year of MBBS, something inside him shifted. He began reading widely, engaging with national issues, and exploring new subjects — Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration. Slowly, a new dream emerged.
UPSC.
He knew the civil services were extremely competitive. He also knew he didn’t have years to experiment with multiple attempts. While completing his internship in Delhi, he prepared with intense discipline, often sleeping only after 2 or 3 a.m.
“This was my one shot,” he explained. “I didn’t have a plan B. If I wanted this, I had to give everything I had.”
He refined his strategy, made personalised notes, and focused on concise revision. “I had prepared the kind of notes that allowed me to revise the entire syllabus within an hour,” he shared.
Coaching helped shorten the path, but choosing the right sources—and avoiding unnecessary material—became his winning formula.
In 2006, he cleared UPSC in his first attempt with AIR 47.
A CAREER BUILT ON LEARNING—NOT TITLES
After joining the IAS, Dr. Singh worked across various demanding roles. Transfers, pressure, and administrative responsibilities became routine. But what remained constant was his curiosity.
Even during the busiest years, he kept reading, exploring, and searching for new interests. That curiosity led him to something new in 2022 — the year he describes as a personal turning point.
“In the last 3–4 years, I went through what people call a mid-life crisis. But for me, it turned out to be positive. It made me realize one thing: you should never stop learning.”
It was during this time that he decided to formally study International Relations — a subject he had initially wanted to take as an optional during UPSC but never did.
BACK TO SCHOOL AT 45
He enrolled in 2023. The course structure was flexible, ideal for working professionals. “The best part was that it was completely self-paced. If you wanted to take more time, you could,” he said.
But balancing work and study wasn’t easy. He was transferred, from Jhansi to Excise Commissioner in Uttar Pradesh, a role known for its demanding nature.
Still, he found a way.
“It happens when there’s real will. You find the time. Even one hour a day is enough if you are consistent,” he explained.
The result? He not only graduated on time but emerged as the top performer.
Yet he downplays the recognition, saying, “Yes, getting 1st rank is nice, but for me, the real joy is that I completed the degree. That’s what I’m proud of.”
LEARNING GERMAN, THINKING AHEAD
Alongside the Master’s program, he decided to pursue another lifelong interest — learning German.
“I’ve wanted to learn German since childhood, but never got the chance. During this phase, I finally dedicated myself properly and cleared the A1 and A2 levels,” he shared.
And he’s not stopping there. He’s already thinking of the next thing to learn.
“If you stop learning, you stop growing. You don’t just stay the same — you actually become less sharp.”
HIS MESSAGE FOR THE YOUTH
If there is one takeaway from his journey, it is this: your academic path doesn’t define your destiny.
Failing in Maths didn’t stop him. Medicine didn’t cage him and age didn’t slow him down.
“Never, ever give up. Keep trying, keep learning, and you never know where your true interest lies until you explore,” he said.
At 45, Dr. Adarsh Singh is earning new degrees, learning new languages, and preparing for his next academic adventure — all while serving in one of the most demanding administrative roles in the state.
His life is a reminder that success doesn’t come from a straight line. It comes from the courage to keep moving, keep discovering, and keep reinventing oneself — at any age.
