https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Don’t Have Too Much Expectation From UPSC; have a backup, says the topper 

Indian Masterminds Stories

In a tale of resilience and determination, Vaidehi Gupta’s journey to success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 is nothing short of inspiring. Despite facing numerous challenges, including managing a full-time job at Infosys while preparing for the prestigious exam, Ms. Gupta persevered with unwavering dedication.

Her days were marked by early morning study sessions, squeezing in 6-8 hours before her evening shift that stretched late into the night. Despite the grueling schedule, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of her dream. However, her resolve faced an unexpected test when her UPSC candidature was unfairly canceled due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Undeterred, Ms. Gupta took her fight to the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court, where she successfully advocated for justice and reinstatement of her candidacy. Ms. Gupta’s story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and standing up against adversity to achieve one’s goals.

During a conversation with Indian Masterminds, she not only recounted her arduous journey but also shed light on her unconventional choice of IAAS as her second preference, a decision that sets her apart from many others.

FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT 

Born to a businessman father and a homemaker mother, Ms. Gupta completed her B.Tech. (IT) from Guru Govind Singh College, Indraprastha University. She was in her second semester when a friend in the family cleared UPSC and was selected for IPS in 2017. “My mother then told me to try for it at least once. So, I started with researching the UPSC, and the more I learned about it, I got excited to attempt”, said Ms. Gupta.

Vaidehi Gupta, AIR 219 (UPSC CSE 2023)

She gave her first attempt in 2020 and cleared Mains. However, due to COVID, she neither got her degree nor the marksheet from last semester. This is why UPSC canceled her candidature, but she couldn’t let the chance go. She understood well that UPSC is unpredictable, and one can never know when you get the chance to write Main or face the interview. So, with the support of other candidates, she filed a case in the Supreme Court and got relief.

She faced the interview but didn’t get selected. In 2021, she made another attempt but couldn’t clear prelims, and in 2022, she couldn’t clear Mains. This year, she cleared all the hurdles and was selected with AIR 219. When asked about another attempt, she replied, “I want to be an IAS, but I am happy with what I have. Right now, I am looking forward to the foundation course in LBSNAA and meeting new people. I might give another attempt later, but not this year,” says the topper. 

CHOOSING IDAS AS PREFERENCE 

Diverging from the traditional choices made by many other toppers, Ms. Gupta has charted her path by selecting IAS as her primary preference and IA&AS (Indian Audit and Accounts Service) as her second choice in the UPSC examination. IA&AS is a central civil service under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Officers serve in an audit managerial capacity, responsible for auditing government accounts and public enterprises. Ms. Gupta’s decision stems from thorough research into the various services offered under the UPSC CSE. She was particularly drawn to IAAS due to the opportunity it presents to collaborate with numerous international agencies, offering a diverse and enriching work experience. Moreover, the evolving nature of the service’s profile and its wide-ranging exposure further solidified her choice. Ms. Gupta’s decision underscores her forward-thinking approach and highlights the appeal of IDAS as a dynamic and rewarding career option within civil services.

LEARNINGS 

Ms. Gupta embarked on the UPSC journey with Political Science and International Relations as her optional subjects. Despite her dedication, she faced a setback in her interview scores, garnering 149 marks. Reflecting on this outcome, she humbly acknowledged that while she enjoyed the interview experience, the panel’s perspective may have differed. Ms. Gupta humorously suggested the need to cultivate hobbies, recognizing their potential to add depth to her personality.

Balancing her preparations with a demanding job left little time for leisure, yet she prioritized staying connected with family and friends. Ms. Gupta expressed a desire to carve out time for herself, nurturing a hobby with unwavering dedication. While she acknowledges that hobbies may not directly influence interview scores, she believes they enrich one’s persona and can serve as engaging conversation topics during the UPSC interview.

In her pursuit of excellence, Ms. Gupta underscores the importance of holistic self-development, emphasizing that cultivating hobbies not only enhances personal fulfillment but also contributes to a well-rounded and engaging interview presence.

HAVING A BACKUP 

Ms. Gupta remained steadfast in her job while simultaneously preparing for the UPSC exam, recognizing the benefits of having a stable income and mental space. “Having a job provides a safety net during times of failure and grants financial freedom, which alleviates the stress of the journey,” she explains.

Her advice to aspirants echoes her pragmatic approach: “Given the low success rate of the UPSC, it’s essential not to invest everything in this one endeavor. Having a backup plan is crucial.” Drawing from the observations of fellow aspirants, she cautions against placing excessive expectations on the exam’s outcome. “Even after reaching the interview stage, only a fraction of candidates secure a spot in the final list,” she notes. Ms. Gupta advocates for aligning one’s expectations with the realities of the exam format and emphasizes the importance of preparing oneself accordingly.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-21 at 2.07
Govardhan Puja: CM Mohan Yadav Performs Puja at Tilkeshwar Temple, Reiterates Commitment to Farmers & Cow Welfare
Pushkar Singh Dhami Cow
Govardhan Puja in Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Highlights Cow Conservation as Key to Culture and Self-Reliance
Gujarat News
From Temple to Policy: Gujarat CM’s New Year Message Blends Tradition with Self-Reliant Growth
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Lights Up with Development: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Celebrates Diwali at Gurudham, Announces Rs. 1.58 Crore Revamp Plan
Lucknow parks development
Lucknow’s Green Makeover: LDA to Revamp 50 Parks with Rs. 150 Crore Urban Eco-Development Plan
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
Yogi Government’s Bold Move: Satellite 'Invest UP' Offices in 5 Metro Cities to Boost National & Global Investments in Uttar Pradesh
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
PESB
PESB Opens Applications for Director Posts in NHPC and CONCOR; Apply by November 11
CBI
2 IPS Officers Appointed as SPs in CBI on 5-Year Central Deputation – Know Their Profiles
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