Sometimes, life’s plans for you are beyond your imagination. The path you envision may be shattered, and in those moments, the only things that can carry you forward are strong willpower, passion, and relentless hard work. The story of Vishakha Gupta is a powerful example of this.
Vishakha had always dreamed of becoming a civil servant from the time she was in college. But her hopes were cruelly dashed when she met with a life-altering accident, leaving her bedridden for over two and a half years. As her dreams seemed to fade away, she found herself at her lowest point, devastated and broken. Yet, she did not give up.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Vishakha found the strength to rebuild herself. While her journey may have been delayed, her determination never wavered. Against all odds, she rose again and achieved her dream. In 2023, she cracked the UPSC Indian Economic Services (IES) exam and fulfilled her lifelong ambition to become a civil servant.
Indian Masterminds had the privilege of speaking with Ms. Gupta to gain a deeper insight into her remarkable journey – a story of triumph over adversity, and a true inspiration to us all.
JOURNEY SO FAR
In 2015, she completed her graduation with plans to begin preparing for the UPSC exams. However, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was involved in a severe road accident one evening, which left her badly injured.
By 2017, as she started recovering, the thought of pursuing her dreams again crossed her mind. But her confidence was shattered, and both physically and mentally, she felt weak. Despite these challenges, she gathered every ounce of strength to begin preparing for competitive exams.
Her hard work eventually paid off when she cracked the SSC CGL 2017 exam, although the results were delayed and only announced in 2021 due to internal issues. She joined the Ministry of Statistics as a Junior Statistical Officer. But her determination didn’t stop there – she went on to clear the SSC CGL 2018 exam as well, securing a position in the Defence Accounts.
With her career stabilizing, Vishakha shifted her focus to her long-held dream of cracking UPSC. In 2022, she began her preparations while balancing her job. And in her very first attempt, she achieved a remarkable success – she cracked the UPSC IES – 2023, securing an All India Rank of 18.
Along the way, she also cleared the NET JRF in Economics, further cementing her position as an inspiring figure in the world of competitive exams.
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Reflecting on the challenges she faced and how she overcame them, she shared, “It’s definitely hard to fight against difficult situations and move past failures. But you have to focus on one thought, which helped me – yes, we may fail, but if we don’t try again, what could be worse than that? Whatever worst-case scenario you imagine, you may or may not face it. To be the best, you have to be willing to face the worst. Just like our security agencies are always prepared, we should adopt the same mindset. This will help eliminate fear and lead you to success.”
TIPS FOR INTERVIEW
When asked for tips for those preparing for upcoming UPSC interviews, she shared, “Interviews are incredibly hard to predict. Speaking from my own experience, I wasn’t asked a single question from my DAF, which was completely different from the usual course of interviews. The questions even went beyond my previous work background, which was primarily in the Ministry of Statistics. It was an entirely unique experience.”
She further advised, “So, don’t stress too much – focus on your basic preparation because nobody can predict how your interview will unfold. Just be yourself and approach each question with a calm mind. Keep a cool temperament, because sometimes the questions can be so challenging that you might feel frustrated or confused. But remember, the board is simply testing your patience and your ability to handle pressure, even when faced with tough questions. Stay true to yourself.”
BACKGROUND
She originally hails from Delhi, where her father worked in the private sector and her mother was a homemaker. She completed her basic education up to the 12th grade in Delhi. Afterward, she pursued her graduation in Economics (BA Honors) from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce. Later, she completed her Master’s in Economics in 2019 through distance learning.
UPSC PREPERATION
The IES exam consists of four core economics papers, one general studies paper, and one English paper. These papers assess a candidate’s deep understanding of economic theory, policy, and analysis. Vishakha approached her preparation for the IES exam with a well-planned and dedicated strategy. She meticulously created detailed notes, breaking down complex concepts for easier understanding.
She also made it a point to solve previous years’ papers to familiarize herself with the exam pattern and to test her knowledge under timed conditions. Her strategic approach, coupled with consistent hard work, helped her navigate the rigorous demands of the exam.
HER INTERVIEW
Her interview went well, but it was different from the typical ones. She was not asked any questions from her DAF or previous job experience. Instead, the questions were focused on broader policy-level issues. One of the board members asked her a thought-provoking question: “Currently, the median age of the population in the Indian economy is 29 years. At this stage, is India facing a demographic dividend or demographic liability?”
She responded confidently, stating, “We must harness this demographic dividend, or we risk losing out on the potential advantages it offers.” She went on to explain how this young population could be a driving force for growth if the right opportunities were created for them. The board member then asked, “What initiatives is the government taking to harness this demographic advantage?”
She provided a detailed answer, discussing various government schemes aimed at skill development, employment generation, and creating opportunities for the youth to contribute effectively to the economy.
MESSAGE
Sharing a message for fellow aspirants, she said, “Though the competition is at an extremely high level and the vacancies are limited, it’s important to stay focused with a dedicated approach. Based on my own journey, I can confidently say that if you are determined and consistently putting in effort, the results will come. It may take some time, but success will eventually follow.”
She also offered another valuable suggestion for aspirants: “In today’s world, technology is an incredibly powerful tool for preparation. It’s easily accessible, so make the most of it. Use AI to explore different approaches to solving questions and to enhance your understanding. I, myself, am developing my soft skills through AI.”
Vishakha’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of determination and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, regardless of the obstacles life places in your path.
