https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Treat UPSC Like Any Other Exam, Says The Boy Who Got AIR 149 in First Try, without Coaching

22-year-old Adarsh Kant Shukla scored AIR 149 in UPSC exam. He prepared on his own without any coaching. He cracked the exam in his very first attempt.
Indian Masterminds Stories

By clearing UPSC 2020 exam in his very first attempt, and that too, without any coaching, 22-year-old Adarsh Kant Shukla of Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, proved that one can crack a competitive exam without joining coaching classes.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the young achiever talked about his UPSC journey and, also, the places he would like to work in.

A CHILDHOOD DREAM

Adarsh Kant told Indian Masterminds that he dreamt of getting into civil services since the time he was young enough to understand its meaning.

“That thought had been at the back of my mind right from class 6-7. Just as any family would want to see their kid become an IAS officer one day, the same was the case with my family, too. However, as I was more inclined towards science, I decided to graduate in BSc,” he said.

Although he received a gold medal in BSc during graduation, his mind gradually started drifting towards civil services. Finally, in 2019, he made up his mind to sit for the UPSC examination.

Adarsh Kant Shukla with his mother

SOLO PREPARATION

He started preparing for the ‘mother of all examinations’ almost immediately after he finished college. He focused on covering the entire syllabus of mains first, and prelims just three months prior to the exam.

“Right from the start, I focused on my optional subject, Sociology. I wasn’t aware that the exam would be postponed due to the pandemic, and, therefore, I had completed my entire preparation by May 2020. However, the postponement was helpful as I could assess myself more,” he informed.

The young aspirant did not join any coaching class and prepared for the exam on his own. “Initially, I was skeptical about my decision. But, as time passed, I became more comfortable with the subjects and could overcome all the hurdles that I faced,” he said.

FRIENDLY PANELISTS

To his surprise, he found the board members quite cooperative in the interview round. Hence, he advises candidates not to make any pre-assumption about the panelists and enter the room with an open mind.

“My interview happened in a very cordial and congenial atmosphere. The members were relaxed and made sure that I do not feel intimidated by their presence. They probed my hobbies and even asked for documentary recommendations from me, as I mentioned that I liked watching them,” he revealed.

He completed his preparation without any coaching

WANTS TO EXPLORE

Adarsh Kant has not seen much of the outside world as he had hardly stepped out of Barabanki. Now that he has cleared UPSC and will soon get his first posting, he wishes to explore the country, especially the Northeast and South India.

“I am very intrigued by their culture and am looking forward with excitement to serve in those regions. I also want to analyze the nature of different problems that exist in different parts of the country, so that I can contribute towards alleviating some of them, at least,” he said.

TREAT UPSC LIKE ANY OTHER EXAM

Saying that aspirants should not lose themselves while preparing for the UPSC exam, he summed up with these words of advice:

“Don’t become someone else while preparing. Treat it like any other exam and don’t make it the sole purpose of your life. It is not the end of the world. Just keep hustling!”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
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...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT