https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

This IFS Officer Gave 60 Mock Tests Before Cracking UPSC

Indian Foreign Service officer Kanishka Singh could not clear even Prelims in her first attempt at UPSC in 2017. She rectified her mistakes and gave over 60 mock tests during her preparation for her second attempt. She scored AIR-416 in UPSC CSE 2018 and chose IFS as her profession.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Clearing UPSC CSE Examination in one go is not that easy and aspirants often have to make multiple attempts to clear all the phases to make it to the final list of successful candidates. However, the sweet victory, in the end, makes all the struggle worthwhile.

Today, Indian Masterminds will take you through the journey of Indian Foreign Service officer Kanishka Singh, who despite the ups and downs in her UPSC journey, achieved her long-time dream of becoming a civil servant.

EARLY LIFE

Born and brought up in the capital city of New Delhi, Ms. Singh did her initial schooling at a public school. Right after completing her schooling, she joined the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College in the city. After three years in college, she completed her graduation in Psychology. 

It was during her college days that Ms. Singh understood the importance of a civil servant in the country and decided to go for it. But she decided to complete her graduation first and then prepare. 

UPSC PREPARATION

As soon as she received her degree, Ms. Singh immediately started preparing for UPSC Civil Services Examination. She chose her optional subject as Psychology since it is not a technical subject and can be easily understood and solved.

She prepared for a few months before giving her UPSC examination, but she agrees that she was not very serious in her preparation. Thus, the mistake of not giving mock tests during her preparation cost her an attempt.

FAILED IN THE FIRST ATTEMPT

Ms. Singh gave her first attempt at UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2017 when she could not even clear her Prelims examination. She says that her preparation for the exam was not good and not taking many mock tests cost her dearly. 

She analyzed where she went wrong and made notes about her mistakes and things that she needed to improve on. She changed her preparation strategy accordingly and learned from her mistakes. While she gave only 10 mock tests during her first preparation, the next time she gave over 60 mock tests! 

SUCCESSFUL AT LAST

Ms. Singh gave her second attempt at UPSC in the year 2018 and much to everyone’s pleasure, she not only cleared the examination but also scored an All-India Rank of 416, thereby receiving a chance to choose a service of her choice!

The officer opted to get into the Indian Foreign Service and is posted at the Indian Embassy in Moscow currently.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRANTS

Ms. Singh said in several interviews that answer writing is very important for UPSC Mains Exam and so is to keep practicing and focussing on one subject at a time. Candidates should prepare for the UPSC exam as per their capacity, she says, and revise and write answers continuously and manage time well.

About the selection of optional subjects, she said, “Candidates should mostly try and choose the subject of their graduation as an optional subject. However, if you are interested in any other subject and are confident about it, then you can also choose that as an optional subject.”

She also explained the importance of revising everything that one has prepared again and again so that it retains in their mind. By following such a strategy, Ms. Singh was able to clear the exam on her second attempt.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
mp
MP’s Rs3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, Rs5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
FINNOVATION 2025
SBI & IIT Guwahati Celebrate FINNOVATION 2025 Winners in Gurugram, Empowering Young Innovators to Solve Banking Challenges
nitish-kumar
Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Inaugurates Rs 44 Crore Six-Lane Pull-Up Ramp in Patna, Aims to Ease Traffic Congestion- Know More
CM yogi
UP: CM Yogi Inaugurates Two New Kalyan Mandaps in Gorakhpur, Emphasizes Accessible Celebration Spaces- Full Details Inside
CISF
National Security at Risk: Centre Opposes Supreme Court Ruling Curtailing IPS Deputation in CAPFs, Says IPS Presence is Crucial
sbk-singh-1753948795
IPS SBK Singh Appointed as Delhi’s New DG of Prisons After Brief Police Commissioner Stint
D
PNB Housing Finance Appoints D. Surendran as Non-Executive Nominee Director; Brings 35 Years of Banking Experience - Know More About His Journey
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Uttarakhand: CM Dhami Monitors Chamoli Cloudburst Relief Efforts, Army and SDRF Lead Swift Rescue Operation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
mp
MP’s Rs3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, Rs5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
FINNOVATION 2025
SBI & IIT Guwahati Celebrate FINNOVATION 2025 Winners in Gurugram, Empowering Young Innovators to Solve Banking Challenges
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT