For thousands of UPSC aspirants across the country, the Civil Services Examination is more than just a test – it’s a journey of resilience, introspection, and endurance. Shubham Kaurav, a native of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, embodies that journey. After five years of rigorous preparation and four consecutive attempts at the exam, he emerged successful with an All India Rank of 291 in UPSC CSE 2024.
What makes Shubham’s story remarkable is not just his eventual success, but the persistence he displayed throughout the process. An alumnus of IIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Shubham began his UPSC journey right after graduation, rooted in his hometown.
“I started from Gwalior, relying solely on self-study. It was only later, in mid-July of my first year of preparation, that I shifted to Delhi in search of a more focused environment,” he recalls.
CLEARING PRELIMS – EVERY SINGLE TIME
Unlike many aspirants who struggle with the first hurdle – the Preliminary stage – Shubham cleared Prelims in all four attempts. This consistent success reflected his strong grasp of basic concepts and a disciplined study routine. However, cracking the Mains and Interview stages required deeper introspection and strategic realignment.
“I had to reflect after every attempt. I knew I was doing something right to clear Prelims each time, but something was missing in my Mains strategy,” he says.
A GAME-CHANGING SWITCH: FROM STRUGGLE TO SUCCESS WITH ANTHROPOLOGY
Initially, Shubham faced significant challenges with his first optional subject (unnamed), which turned out to be a bottleneck in his Mains performance. After much deliberation, he decided to switch to Anthropology – a subject that aligned more closely with his interests and simplified his preparation process.
“The switch was tough initially. You have to rebuild your understanding from scratch. But Anthropology gave me the clarity I was missing, and eventually, the confidence too,” he shares.
His advice to aspirants struggling with their optional subject? “Don’t hesitate to change course if you feel your current subject isn’t working. Sometimes, the smartest strategy is knowing when to pivot.”
NO COACHING: JUST BOOKS AND DISCIPLINE
In an era where many aspirants flock to expensive coaching institutes, Shubham’s success without any formal coaching is both rare and inspiring. He relied solely on standard books, previous years’ papers, and online resources – proving that self-study, when done right, can be just as effective.
“I stuck to limited, concise resources and revised them multiple times. UPSC isn’t about how much you read – it’s about how well you understand and apply what you read,” he emphasizes.
His preparation philosophy was rooted in discipline and consistent execution. “Many students get caught up in collecting notes and watching endless lectures. What matters more is how consistently you study and how effectively you analyze your progress.”
THE EMOTIONAL TOLL AND THE NEED FOR A PLAN B
Behind the ranks and results lies an emotional journey that most aspirants face in silence. Years of uncertainty, social pressure, financial stress, and mental burnout are common in the UPSC journey. Shubham openly talks about the emotional challenges he faced after repeated setbacks.
“There were times I doubted myself. You give your all to something and still fall short. That can break anyone’s spirit. But I always reminded myself: the exam doesn’t define me – my efforts do.”
He also highlights the importance of having a Plan B – a backup for career and financial stability. “It’s not easy for everyone to give up everything and prepare for years without a safety net. This exam demands everything from you, but it’s wise to have another path in mind if things don’t go as planned.”
MESSAGE TO ASPIRANTS: FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY, NOT JUST THE RESULT
To those who didn’t make it this year, Shubham offers a heartfelt message – “Don’t let one result define your self-worth. Focus on executing your plan. Stay consistent, and be kind to yourself when things don’t go your way. Growth happens quietly – often before success becomes visible.”
He also emphasizes the importance of building a support system – whether it’s friends, mentors, or online communities – to help sustain motivation through uncertain phases.
CONSISTENCY AND SELF BELIEF
Shubham Kaurav’s story is a reminder that success in UPSC is not just about brilliance – it’s about resilience, adaptability, and self-belief. His journey from Gwalior to securing a top 300 rank without coaching, through sheer consistency and self-reflection, is sure to inspire countless aspirants walking a similar path.
As the UPSC journey continues for lakhs of candidates every year, stories like Shubham’s shine as guiding lights – proving that with the right mindset, even the most formidable challenges can be conquered.
(This story was written by Utkarsh, currently an intern with Indian Masterminds.)
