A surge of pure joy erupted when the results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 were announced. At the heart of this celebratory wave was Aditya Vikram Agarwal, who achieved an outstanding All India Rank 9. His path to this success spanned five determined attempts and three insightful interviews, culminating in a moment of pure triumph that deeply touched his family and closest friends. In an exclusive video interview with Indian Masterminds, Aditya and his families shared happy moments.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE-
UNEXPECTED RESULT AND THE HAPPINESS
“There was so much happiness, so much shouting when the result came out,” Aditya shared with Indian Masterminds, his voice still carrying the thrill of that day. “Because it was quite unexpected; we hadn’t really thought about reaching this ninth rank this time.” After navigating three previous interview stages without the desired outcome, his primary hope had simply been to find his name on the final list. Securing the ninth position was an incredibly welcome surprise.
Having gained experience in the private sector with Tata Motors, he felt a strong inclination towards serving the public. “I felt that if I moved towards public service, I would likely find more job satisfaction,” he explained.
Like many aspirants, Aditya experienced moments of self-doubt. “Many times, I felt that maybe I should go back [to my job] because when we see friends’ lives on social media, it seems like they are having a really good time,” he admitted. The contrast with his peers’ seemingly carefree lifestyles occasionally felt sharp. Yet, the steadfast encouragement from his parents served as an invaluable source of strength. “They said, ‘It’s okay. You can do all those things later. Try one more time. We are supporting you,’” Aditya gratefully shared.
DAILY ROUTINE AND PREP STRATEGY
His daily routine was marked by structure and consistency. “I used to wake up early… after breakfast, I would go straight to the library around 8 to 8:30 AM and stay there until about 6 or 7 in the evening,” Aditya described.
Regarding his strategy, Aditya emphasised the importance of consolidating study materials and engaging in repeated revision for the preliminary examination. “If you stick to one source and revise it multiple times, that’s enough. Once you’ve studied something from one place, just revise it again and again,” he advised.
For the main examination, Aditya highlighted the significance of consistent answer writing practice and effective time management. “I always kept a watch in front of me – seven minutes for a ten-marker, ten minutes for a fifteen-marker, and every minute counted. That’s how I managed to complete the papers,” he revealed.
Reflecting on his interview experience, Aditya noted its positive difference compared to his previous attempts. Questions covered a range of topics, from current affairs like the pros and cons of subsidies to his career transition from the private sector. His background in mechanical engineering also featured in the discussion.
MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS
Aditya offered strong advice to fellow aspirants regarding the use of social media. “I would say stay away from it 95% of the time. Social media creates a lot of distraction and can also lead to anxiety and stress during your journey,” he cautioned, emphasising the addictive nature of its algorithms.
His message for those preparing for the upcoming preliminary exam was direct and practical: “Put your phone aside and go back to the basics. Just sit in your seat and start revising static subjects and solving previous year’s questions.” He shared his own experience of clearing the prelims with focused study in the days following an unsuccessful mains result, highlighting that dedicated effort can yield positive outcomes even with limited time.
PROUD PARENTS
The joy of Aditya’s achievement was palpable in the voices of his parents. “We were so happy; we were shouting so much! We didn’t expect such a good rank,” his father exclaimed. His mother echoed the sentiment, vividly describing the celebratory atmosphere. “We fully supported him. We always told him not to look back, to keep moving forward, and we would always support his attempts,” his mother affirmed.
His elder sister fondly recalled his academic brilliance from childhood, noting his consistent top performance and quick learning abilities. His brother highlighted Aditya’s disciplined lifestyle and his ability to bounce back from setbacks, attributing his success to hard work and consistency. His sister-in-law spoke of his mental strength, recalling his unwavering dedication even after facing disappointments. The entire family expressed immense pride and joy in his achievement, a culmination of years of focused effort and mutual support.
