“Success in the UPSC isn’t just about brilliance – it’s the quiet strength of a dream, the fire of dedication, and the unshakable will to rise after every fall.”
This couldn’t be truer for Shivam Singh, once an SDM in Uttar Pradesh, now an IRS officer, and soon to be an IAS officer.
When the UPSC CSE 2024 results were announced on April 22, joy swept through a modest bookshop in Raebareli. Locals gathered not just to celebrate a result, but to honor a remarkable journey – the shop owner and his son, Shivam, had secured an impressive All India Rank of 73. His success was not his alone; it was a shared dream, deeply rooted in his father’s sacrifices and unwavering support.
Shivam’s story reminds us that success isn’t reserved for the inherently brilliant or the academically gifted. Until 2017, he was an average student by most standards. But with focused study, a clear goal, and relentless dedication, he transformed himself. Step by step – first as an SDM, then as an IRS officer – he built a path that now leads to the IAS.
His journey stands as a powerful inspiration that with honesty, hard work, and purpose, no dream is too distant.
Indian Masterminds interacted with Mr. Shivam to learn more about his inspiring journey, his father, and how he cracked this prestigious exam, along with advice for aspirants.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Shivam’s civil services journey began in the final years of his IIT days. Over the course of six attempts, he faced numerous setbacks but never lost his determination.
His first attempt in 2019 ended in failure, as he couldn’t even clear the prelims. The same happened in his second attempt in 2020.
In his third attempt in 2021, he managed to clear the prelims but fell short in the mains. His next attempt in 2022 was another setback, as he failed to clear the prelims once again. These continuous failures left him disheartened, but his resolve to crack UPSC remained strong.
In his fifth attempt, UPSC CSE 2023, Shivam finally achieved success with an All India Rank of 877, securing a post as an IRS (C&IT). But he didn’t stop there. His dream was always to become an IAS officer, and in his sixth attempt in 2024, he achieved his goal, securing an impressive AIR of 73 and bagging the coveted IAS position.
Meanwhile, in 2021, Shivam had already achieved success in the UPPCS-2019 exam, securing 38th rank in his very first attempt and becoming a Deputy Collector. He was posted in Gorakhpur and worked there until 2024. However, in December 2024, he resigned from the post to pursue training after being selected as an IRS officer through the UPSC.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, “My journey has been full of ups and downs. This was my sixth attempt. A major part of the struggle was balancing the exam preparation with my services. But today, I’m happy that I did what I set out to do. Though there were struggles and failures, everything has finally paid off.”
He further credited his success to his family, saying, “My parents and brother have always been the backbone of my success. My father managed to educate all of us by running a small shop, earning very little. He never allowed us to sit in the shop because he wanted us to focus on our studies. That’s why we were always focused on our academics.”
A FATHER’S SACRIFICE
The story of Shivam’s journey to becoming an IAS officer is not only about his own struggles, but also about the sacrifices made by his father, Ramnaresh Singh. Since 1994, he has been running a small 5×5 shop, selling books and stationery. Despite his son’s remarkable success, he continues to lead a simple, unchanging life, dedicated to his work. He faced many hardships to educate Shivam but never compromised on his son’s studies.
Ramnaresh recalls, “Whenever Shivam came home, we would discuss his next steps. I always encouraged him to pursue civil services.” During Shivam’s MTech years, he started preparing for the UPSC exams at the library. He shared, “After Shivam completed his MTech, he was selected for a job in a company in Bangalore. The salary was good, and he was eager to work for a year and then focus on his preparations. But we refused. We told him that if he diverted his focus even once, it would be a loss. We insisted that he prepare for the exams right away.” Shivam took his father’s advice to heart, and he began his UPSC preparation with full determination.
BACKGROUND
Shivam originally hails from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, and comes from a modest background. His mother is a homemaker, and he has an elder brother. Shivam completed his early education up to the 12th grade in his hometown, studying Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) at a convent school near his home.
After completing school, he pursued a B.Tech from a private college under UPTU in 2017. He openly admits that he wasn’t an outstanding student initially, which is why he ended up in a private college. However, in the final years of his engineering studies, he started focusing more on his academics and began to improve.
In 2017, he cracked the GATE exam and went on to pursue M.Tech at IIT Dhanbad, completing it in 2019. It was during his time at IIT that Shivam’s interest in civil services began to grow. He started preparing seriously for UPSC alongside his studies. “My interest grew during my time at IIT,” Shivam says. “I began reading newspapers daily, and I revisited NCERT books. From there, I followed my passion, and eventually, I succeeded.”
UPSC PREPARATIONS
To prepare for the UPSC, Shivam moved to Delhi in 2019 and joined a coaching institute. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned home to continue his studies. He devised a unique strategy for each stage of the UPSC exam.
For the prelims, Shivam focused on using very limited resources and placed significant emphasis on revision. His approach was simple yet effective: he would write notes, then revise them repeatedly. “This technique helped me retain information longer,” he said. Additionally, Shivam gave more than 50 mock tests in 2021. He believes mock tests are essential for tackling random questions and for learning how to stay calm when faced with unfamiliar or out-of-the-box questions.
For the mains, Shivam practiced regular answer writing. He wrote answers to over 400 questions, which helped him refine his writing skills. He also paid particular attention to Previous Year Questions (PYQs), which played a crucial role in understanding how to approach answers effectively. His efforts paid off when he scored 798 marks in the written exam.
Shivam chose Anthropology as his optional subject, a decision he feels greatly contributed to his success.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Shivam’s interview, held on March 3rd this year, went well, with a wide range of questions asked, especially relating to his work experience. He scored 193 marks in the interview.
He recalls, “I was serving as a Deputy Collector in Gorakhpur, so many questions were related to my work there. We had conducted elections, and questions about EVMs and the election process were asked. They also inquired about how more technology could be integrated into the election process.”
Since Shivam had already been selected for the IRS and was undergoing training, some questions about his new role were also asked. However, the majority of the questions were focused on his past experiences. For instance, he was asked how he would develop a tourism policy for Uttar Pradesh, particularly focusing on the Maha Kumbh. He was also asked how tourism could be promoted in the state. One question even centered on online games.
Shivam shares that interviews are more about discussion than a simple Q&A. “Interviews aren’t just about answering questions; they’re about having a discussion. I’ve been through many interviews, and that’s the approach I took.”
SUGGESTIONS
Sharing valuable tips with fellow aspirants, Shivam emphasized, “Limit your resources and focus only on those materials that you can revise thoroughly before the exam. Having too many sources can divert your attention. Another important thing is to regularly test yourself. Mock tests are essential – they help you identify your weaknesses and areas that need improvement.”
He continued, “Answer writing is crucial; practice it as much as you can. Lastly, be confident. This is a long journey, and it may take time, but with dedication and strong willpower, you will succeed. Confidence is key.”
