“If you believe in something, work dedicatedly towards it, then the universe conspires to give it to you. Earlier, I did not trust this, but after the UP PCS and UPSC results, I have no choice,” these are the exact first words that Aishwarya Dubey told Indian Masterminds after being ranked AIR 300 in UPSC CSE 2022.
On the night of 7th April, 2023 UP PCS results were declared. Ranked 9th, Agra’s Aishwarya Dubey became a deputy collector, but she did not sit on her laurels.
The reason: she was to appear for her UPSC CSE Interview on 2nd May. She had then told Indian Masterminds, her dream is IAS and she will try for it, no matter how many attempts it took.
Come May 23, and she did it in her second attempt. “It was a perfect birthday gift and I will never ever forget this year’s birthday,” she said.
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WHAT A RIDE
A gold medalist in her graduating years, she gave her first UPSC attempt in CSE-2021 and could not clear even prelims. But in UPSC CSE-2022, she not only cleared all three round of UPSC CSE but ranked 300 in EWS category and might get IAS cadre.
Her 4 years journey of Civil services preparation is really inspiring for everyone. Within 2 months, she cleared two civil services exam with thumping ranks.
When she couldn’t crack UPSC in her first go, she did feel sad, but decided to work on her weakness. She says one should always learn from failures. That’s why, without much ado, she put all her might in preparations and it paid off.
“My dream is to become an IAS officer. If I don’t make it this time with this rank, I will give the exam again,” she said.
GOLD MEDALIST
Hailing from a middle-class family, Aishwarya’s journey for civil services started in the final year of post-graduation. Being the eldest daughter to a father who retired from a private job, and a homemaker mother, she always wanted to make them proud. Her younger brother is also employed with a private company.
A gold medalist in Computer Science from Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, Ms. Dubey completed her 12th from St. Clare’s Senior Secondary School at Agra Cantt, before her BSC-MSC integrated course.
UPSC PREPARATION
She began CSE preparations in 2019 and joined a coaching center in Agra. But 2020, brought Covid-19 and all things halted. With nowhere to go, she focused on self-study with a proper strategy.
Her coaching before pandaemic for 8 months only completed foundation. Later, she gave mock tests for her mains and interview at different coaching centers in Delhi, however, she believes coaching in Delhi is not compulsory for this exam.
“Previous year question papers and your own test series assessment matter a lot in your strategy for UPSC exam,” stated Ms. Dubey, who chose Sociology as optional.
CONSISTENT
The most important thing in her strategy was consistency. She maintained it for 2 years.
She said, “I would not settle for anything less than total concerted effort. Everyone has their own strategy, I tried mine.”
She set small targets, focused more on books than video study. She studied for average 10 hours daily and did notuse any social media and also distanced herself from mobile phones.
Her resources were limited and NCERT was an essential part. She revised over and over again.
INTERVIEW
Her Interview prep was through many mock tests in Delhi. For state and personality specific questions, she prepared herself. She was asked women specific, hobbies related and questions from her computer science background.
“I was also asked why divorce rates are increasing in India? How will you encourage a woman to do jobs and manage it with family?” she shared.
CLARITY MANTRA
“You should be clear you really want it or not. UPSC preparation should come from internal motivation. Maintain consistency and never give up,then, you will get what you want,” she tells aspirants.
“Trust yourself and work hard. This exam needs regular study with deep concentration. Never lose hope and believe in your dreams,” she added.
