https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Answers On Dinosaurs and Ghosts Led Lucknow’s Aditya Crack UPSC-2022

Aditya Srivastava left MNC job in 2021 tocrackUPSC CSE with AIR 236 With this rank he might not get IAS this year, so he will take civil services exams next year too He skipped regular coaching, relying mainly on test papers and mock interviews
Indian Masterminds Stories

Once a wise man said that, ‘You will not fulfill your purpose in life without stepping outside your comfort zone.’ Lucknow’s Aditya Srivastava assimilated this thought while doing his job in world’s second largest investment bank. He came out of his comfort zone and took the risk that can even change his life forever. If one want something truly, universe too conspires to make it happen. Aditya left his well paid MNC job in awe of civil services. And now he cracked UPSC CSE-2022 with AIR-236 in his second attempt.

This journey was full of mistakes and tough decisions, but Aditya’s dedication for his goal was permanent.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr Aditya said, “I would say that there is a lot to be learned in this journey. Some mistakes also happened, like when I got failed in my first prelims, life taught a lesson. Leaving job for preparation was really a tough decision for me.”

JOURNEY SO FAR

Aditya’s father is assistant audit officer in CAG, while his mother is homemaker. His father was his motivation behind his journey. 

He did his primary schooling from CMS, Lucknow. Then, he did his graduation (B.Tech) in electrical engineering from IIT Kanpur in 2019.

After that he joined Goldman Sachs, an American Investment Bank in Bengaluru. He worked there for 15 months only. He quit the job in 2020 and started preparing for UPSC CSE.

Aditya with parents and sister

UPSC

His whole preparation took place in Lucknow. He never attends any coaching barring test series and mock interview. His strategy centred around solving previous years question papers (PYQ’S) and writing as many test papers as possible for the mains. His optional was electrical engineering.

He studied last year’s papers and did his preparation according to that for prelims and mains both. He made notes for every topic of the syllabus.

Accepting his mistakes, he said, “In my first attempt I was collecting information only. I did not analyze PYQ’S that how UPSC designs the statement to test one’s analytical skills. How UPSC mixes wrong statements with correct ones to confuse candidates and how one should analyze that? I was doing more hard work rather than smart work. This is what I learnt from first attempt.”

INTERVIEW

His interview was a mixture of DAF and current affairs.He was asked questions about his hobbies, Dinosaurs and evolutionary theories. “What does he know about the DNA of Dinosaurs found sometime ago and what is its significance?”

Some surprising questions were also asked like does he believe in ghost. “This was interesting question which I replied that yes, I believe. Then they asked why? I said that I believe in God who is the positive energy that guides us towards light. And we have seen that with positive energy there is high probability of presence of negative energy too. So I believe in negative energy as well.”

There was question on International relations too. “How India did benefit by Saudi Arab and Iran’s deal?”

Aditya Srivastava

MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS

Giving suggestions to every aspirant, Mr Aditya said, “Following your nose every time is not good. Take suggestions from seniors and expert. Do smart work than hard work. Consider PYQ’S your God in this preparation. Make your strategy according to that and analyze your syllabus well.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
MDL_Mazagaon_ltd
Veni Thapar Appointed as Independent Director on Board of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
NTPC Green Energy Ltd NGEL
NGEL Gives 378MW Wind Energy Project to Suzlon Energy Ltd
Vikram Dev Dutt IAS
Coal Secy Vikram Dev Dutt Highlights Visionary RSR Model at Stakeholder Meet on Sustainable Coal Transport
ITI Limited
S. Jeyanthi Gets Extension as Director (HR) of ITI Limited - Know About Her
Punjab_govt_resized
6 IAS Officers Reshuffled in Punjab, Rajiv Prashar Made Secy, Punjab State Human Rights Commission
Orissa Minerals Development Company Limited - OMDC
Dr Sarasu T N Re-appointed as Non-Official Director on the Board of OMDC
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
IAS Officer Avinash Pathak Transferred from Beed Amid Controversy
NTPC
NTPC and Evren Sign PPA for 300 MW of Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-23 at 17.08
Two Births in Two Weeks: How Malavika G Nair Delivered Her Baby And Her UPSC Dreams
Just 14 days after giving birth, Malavika G Nair cradled her newborn in one arm and a UPSC answer sheet...
Komal Punia UPSC 2024 AIR 6
Komal Punia: The IPS Officer Who Pursued Her IAS Dream & Conquered UPSC With AIR 6 | Exclusive
Komal Punia, a trainee IPS officer from Saharanpur, UP, overcame challenges and self-doubt to secure...
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 21.00
AIR-11, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani: The Girl Who Quietly Dreamt, and Loudly Delivered in UPSC CSE 2024
At 24, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani from Warangal cracked UPSC 2024 with AIR 11—no coaching, no shortcuts....
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
MDL_Mazagaon_ltd
Veni Thapar Appointed as Independent Director on Board of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
NTPC Green Energy Ltd NGEL
NGEL Gives 378MW Wind Energy Project to Suzlon Energy Ltd
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT