“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
In a world where many young professionals chase stable careers and lucrative corporate packages, only a few dare to step away from comfort and pursue a larger purpose. The story of Yashaswi Raj Vardhan, who secured All India Rank 11 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, is one such inspiring example of courage and determination.
At just 26 years old, Yashaswi made a bold decision – leaving behind a promising role as a Lead Analyst and Assistant Vice President at Barclays to pursue his dream of serving the nation through the civil services.
What makes his journey remarkable is not just the rank he achieved, but the thoughtful preparation, clarity of purpose, and resilience with which he navigated one of India’s most competitive examinations. From the demanding world of investment banking to the intellectually challenging corridors of civil services preparation, Yashaswi’s story reflects the power of discipline, strategic thinking, and belief in one’s aspirations.
Indian Masterminds exclusively interacted with Mr Vardhan to learn more about his journey, preparation strategy for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and his message for aspirants.
Journey So Far: From Corporate Analyst to UPSC Rank 11
His journey to the top ranks of the civil services examination was both exciting and transformative. Unlike many aspirants who spend years preparing exclusively for the UPSC exam, Yashaswi’s path was slightly different.
He appeared for the exam twice.
- His first attempt in 2024 was primarily to understand the exam pattern while he was still studying and working.
- His second attempt in 2025 became his first serious attempt, and that was the one in which he achieved a spectacular result.
This results placed him at All India Rank 11, marking the culmination of years of observation, preparation, and courage to change career paths.
What stands out about his journey is the fact that he did not immediately plunge into UPSC preparation after graduation. Instead, he chose to gain professional experience and financial independence before committing himself fully to the civil services journey.
His Background: Roots in Patna and an Administrative Legacy
He belongs to Patna, Bihar, and comes from a family that understands governance and administration closely.
His father, Rajnish Kumar Singh, is a senior IAS officer in the Bihar government and currently serves as the Registrar of Cooperative Societies. His mother, Nilima Singh, is a homemaker who played an important role in nurturing and supporting his ambitions.
Interestingly, he is the only child of the couple.
Growing up in a household where discussions about governance, administration, and public policy were common, he was naturally exposed to the realities of public service. These conversations gave him insights into:
- The internal functioning of government
- Ground-level challenges
- Policy implementation
- Possible solutions to administrative problems
However, he believes that having such exposure is just an opportunity, and it depends on how much one chooses to learn from it.
Academic Journey: Engineering and Early Professional Life
He was academically strong from the beginning.
- He completed his Class 10 from DPS Patna.
- Later, he moved to Delhi for his Class 12 education.
After school, he pursued Computer Science Engineering and completed his B.Tech in 2021.
Immediately after finishing his engineering degree, he stepped into the corporate world.
In fact, his transition from student to professional happened almost instantly:
- He completed his engineering on June 2
- He started working on June 4
This marked the beginning of a three-and-a-half-year corporate career.
He worked as a data analyst and later as a lead analyst and assistant vice president at Barclays, gaining valuable experience in the investment banking sector.
However, corporate life came with intense working hours. His role often required 16–17 hours of work per day, leaving very little time for UPSC preparation.
Eventually, in September 2024, he made the crucial decision to leave his job and prepare seriously for civil services.
The Biggest Struggle: Facing the Immense Competition
The biggest challenge for Yashaswi during his UPSC journey was not the syllabus or the preparation itself — it was the sheer level of competition.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is considered one of the toughest exams in the world, where:
- Lakhs of candidates appear every year
- Only a few hundred make it to the final list
According to him, the most intimidating aspect is competing with aspirants who –
- Have already cleared earlier stages
- Have multiple attempts and experience
- Are sometimes already serving in government services
Competing with such experienced candidates requires immense mental strength and strategic preparation.
Despite this, he remained focused and continued to refine his approach.
His Preparation Strategy: Integrated and Analytical
One of the key reasons behind Yashaswi’s success was his well-planned preparation strategy.
Unlike many aspirants who prepare for Prelims and Mains separately, he adopted a different approach.
Integrated Preparation
He prepared for both Prelims and Mains together, focusing on –
- Conceptual clarity
- Analytical understanding
- Interlinking subjects
Later, as the exam stages approached, he shifted to stage-specific preparation.
Deep Analysis of Previous Trends
A major part of his preparation involved:
- Analyzing previous year question papers
- Identifying trends in both Prelims and Mains
- Understanding what the exam actually demands from candidates
Value Addition in Answers
For the Mains examination, Yashaswi focused on enriching his answers with –
- Government reports
- Committee recommendations
- Policy documents
- Data and statistics
This value addition significantly improved the quality of his answers.
His Optional Subject
For the UPSC Mains examination, he chose Public Administration as his optional subject.
The subject aligned well with his interest in governance and administration, which he had been exposed to since childhood through his father’s professional environment.
The UPSC Interview: When Movies Became the Main Topic
One of the most interesting parts of Yashaswi’s UPSC journey was his personality test (interview).
Surprisingly, around 70% of the interview revolved around films.
The board started the discussion with movies and gradually expanded the conversation into broader themes.
They discussed –
- Historical films
- Film characters
- Social narratives portrayed in cinema
Yashaswi, who loves watching thriller films, was comfortable with the topic.
Some of his favorite films include –
- The Godfather
- Gangs of Wasseypur
- Satya
One interesting question he recalled was about two films — “Dhurandhar” and “21.”
The panel asked whether the two films could be considered antidotes to each other.
Yashaswi responded thoughtfully, saying that although such comparisons are sometimes made due to the current climate, the two films are fundamentally different in terms of craft and storytelling, and therefore cannot be directly compared.
Influence of His IAS Father
Yashaswi’s father, Rajnish Kumar Singh, played an important role in shaping his outlook.
Interestingly, his father had a unique approach toward exams.
Instead of building pressure, he often took Yashaswi to watch movies a day before major exams.
His belief was simple:
A year of preparation is enough for any exam. The last day should never be spent under pressure.
This approach helped Yashaswi maintain a calm and balanced mindset during high-pressure situations.
Lessons from Corporate Life
Before entering civil services preparation, Yashaswi spent several years in the corporate sector.
This experience helped him:
- Develop discipline and time management
- Understand efficiency and professionalism
- Gain financial independence before preparing for UPSC
Interestingly, during his UPSC interview, the panel asked him about lessons the government sector can learn from the private sector — particularly regarding efficiency and professionalism.
His exposure to both worlds allowed him to answer the question with practical insights.
Message for UPSC Aspirants
For aspirants preparing for the civil services examination, Yashaswi offers a simple but powerful message.
According to him –
- Consistent study of 8–10 hours per day is enough
- Preparation should be focused and strategic
- Aspirants should analyze previous trends and understand the exam’s demand
He also emphasized that interview preparation cannot happen in isolation. It is a continuous process that develops through lifelong learning, awareness, and curiosity.
A Story That Inspires a Generation
The journey of Yashaswi Raj Vardhan is not just about securing Rank 11 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It is about the courage to step away from a secure career and pursue a dream rooted in public service.
His story shows that success in UPSC is not merely about studying harder than everyone else — it is about thinking strategically, staying curious, and maintaining emotional balance.
From the corporate offices of Barclays to the prestigious ranks of India’s civil services, Yashaswi’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest success comes when we dare to leave comfort behind and follow our deeper calling.
