The 2018-batch IPS officer Saad Miya Khan and IAS Vishal Mishra, became friends while doing B Tech in Civil Engineering at HBTI, Kanpur. Later, they passed the UPSC CSE too together though despite living away from each other.
When the results of UPSC CSE 2017 came, Mr. Khan secured 25th rank in his fifth attempt. But even after having such a good rank, Mr Saad chose IPS instead of IAS to change the perception of Indian police. While Mr Mishra passed the exam with 49th rank in his third attempt and became IAS.
Mr Saad is currently serving as DCP, Greater Noida on Addl. SP rank in UP cadre. Mr. Vishal is presently posted as Chief Development Officer, Udhampur Nagar in Uttarakhand cadre.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr.Khan said, “Both of us had the same branch at HBTI, so we developed a good bond and helped each other in studying. We exactly did not prepared together for UPSC as I started my preparation much earlier than Vishal. But we did take help from other.”
B. TECH STORY
Hailing from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, Saad, wanted to join Civil Services from his school days itself. After graduation, he went to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exam. But Vishal, stayed back in IIT Kanpur to do a postgraduate after qualifying GATE. He completed his M. Tech in water resource engineering. It was here that Vishal developed interest in UPSC. After engineering, he too moved to Delhi for UPSC preparation. In this journey, he already had Saad to help him.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Vishal said, “Saad guided me a lot. This way then his preparation also improved. He was preparing by staying at home. But we both remained connected through WhatsApp.”
UPSC JOURNEY
Saad appeared in UPSC CSE four times from 2013 to 2017 and qualified in his fifth attempt in 2017. While Vishal reached the Interview stage in his all 3 attempts, but failed to clear it in his earlier two attempts. Saad’s optional was Geography and Vishal’s option subject was sociology.
Vishal said, “I was confident of clearing the exam in my second attempt. But, when result came, I kept crying for an hour. I was even thinking of leaving my preparation, but my brother persuaded me for another attempt. This time my prelims was not up to the mark. But I still started preparing for mains. Rest is history.”
Saad said, “In previous 4 attempts, General Studies score used to be below average but in CSE 2017 I did fairly well scoring in all GS papers.Both of us got selected together in UPSC CSE. It was great moment for us.”
Phone was the lifeline that connected the two friends during Interview preparation. Vishal said, “We used to discuss many things. We had formed a group to prepare. There used to be conversations on notes, topics and study book etc between us. We benefited a lot from that. We met in Delhi at the time of the interview only.”
SUGGESTIONS
Both friends are agreed that 8 to 10 hours regular focussed study is enough for a good preparation. They said that aspirants should be focused on their goal and avoid any deviation. Mr Vishal said, “A healthy discussion on any topic with your fellow aspirants can be helpful for you lot. Proper notes is also necessary for mains exam.”
