https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Eight Years of Struggle to AIR 14, Meet Delhi’s Abhishek Vashishtha 

Hanging mid-air on a rock-climbing module, Abhishek Vashishtha learned he had secured AIR 14 in UPSC. His eight-year journey reflects grit, balance, and belief in the process.
Indian Masterminds Stories

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.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Rajaji tiger reserve
Wildlife Adventure Returns: Rajaji Tiger Reserve to Resume Jungle Safari from 15 November 2025 — Online Registration Now Open
Panna police
Panna Police Under Siege: SHO and Constable Injured as Villagers Launch Brutal Attack
Panna police
Khaki Power on the Podium: MP Police Shine at All India Police Games 2025 with Gold, Yoga & Judo Glory
India Russia R-37M missile talks
India Russia R-37M Missile Talks Advances to Arm Su-30MKI fighters
IAF MRFA project
114 Fighters, One Mission — MoD Pushes for 100% Indian Involvement in IAF MRFA Project
Ias sam rizvi
Hyderabad: Principal Secretary IAS SAM Rizvi Opts for Voluntary Retirement Amid Dispute with Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao
MP-Police-
Madhya Pradesh IPS Transfers: 7 Senior Officers Shifted in Midnight Reshuffle; Rajababu Singh, Irshad Wali Among Key Names
Powergrid
POWERGRID Strengthens National Grid Connectivity with Acquisition of 2 Key TBCB Projects Worth ₹3,375 Crore
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
Rajaji tiger reserve
Wildlife Adventure Returns: Rajaji Tiger Reserve to Resume Jungle Safari from 15 November 2025 — Online Registration Now Open
Panna police
Panna Police Under Siege: SHO and Constable Injured as Villagers Launch Brutal Attack
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