After going through the rigorous journey of MBBS, where you have to study and work really hard, it’s not easy to decide to embark on yet another tough journey like that of UPSC CSE so soon. But that’s what Dr Diksha Joshi did! She set off again on the extremely difficult UPSC journey while she was still doing her internship in Doon Medical College and was staring at a future in the medical field.
What changed her mind? The shortcomings in the system! Seeing them closely while interning in the hospital moved her enough to decide to rectify those flaws herself by becoming a part of the administration. And UPSC CSE was the obvious choice.
She was so determined that even back-to-back failures in her attempts could not waver her faith in her decision to join civil services. Finally, after four years of hard work coupled with patience, she achieved what she wanted. She cracked the most prestigious and toughest examinations in India – UPSC CSE-with all India rank 19 in 2021.
“It has been a long journey for almost 4 years. It was my third attempt. There has been ups and down throughout the journey. But the end result has been good, so it’s been satisfying,” she told Indian Masterminds in an exclusive conversation.
JOYFUL PARENTS
Diksha Joshi’s father Suresh Joshi is the state spokesperson of Uttarakhand BJP. He is one of the happiest men on earth right now. On the success of his daughter, he said that it is not only a big success for his family, but it has also increased the pride of the district and the state. Expressing happiness over the achievement of his daughter, he said that wherever his daughter would get a chance to serve in any corner of the country, she would work for the benefit of the people by giving her services with full devotion and efficiency.
Her mother Geeta Joshi, a homemaker, also supported Diksha at every step in her studies. She said that her daughter has been brilliant since childhood. She would bring the benefit of her medical service to the people along with the administrative service, if needed. Her father added that hopefully this will give a new direction to the daughters of the mountain.
BEGINNING
Diksha hails from Siloni village in Munakot block of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand. She studied up to high school in Pithoragarh, then did intermediate from Dehradun. After that, she completed her MBBS from Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in Jolligrant of Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. While doing MBBS, Diksha had made the target of passing the country’s most prestigious and toughest examination. Though, she did not get success in the first two attempts, but in the third attempt, Diksha cleared it with the top 19rank. Her optional subject was Medical Science.
While speaking to Indian Masterminds, she said, “I was inclined towards Indian Administrative Service from my school days. But it was only during my medical studies that I realised that I should do this instead of medical field, where I can give to society more. I thought that the health system can be strengthened by going to the administrative service. I started preparing for UPSC when was doing my internship.”
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Despite failing two times in UPSC, she did not give up and made a third attempt by motivating herself. The third time, she changed her strategy and started preparing accordingly. This time, everything went perfect, and luck also stood by her. She got selected with AIR 19.
UPSC PREPRATION
After completing MBBS degree three years back, she started her preparation. She said, “For UPSC preparation, I was fully dependent on self-study in this attempt. I had done coaching earlier, but it could not help me. But my mentor Anupam Jain guided me and helped me lot.”
She says that in UPSC, your consistency is more important. You should be regular in your studies. She says that she used to study for seven to eight hours a day. For this,she divided 24 hours into three parts, morning, day and evening. She has also asked other youths preparing for the examination to study regularly.As the exam time approaches, more emphasis should be placed on target-wise preparation for preliminary, mains and interview, she advised.
INTERVIEW ROUND
“My interview was not so different. Mostly, it was expected. Most questions were asked from DAF (Detailed Application at the time of Interview) and educational background. As my background is medicine, so there were questions on it,” Diksha revealed.
AIM IN SERVICE
Her aim would be to implement government’s policies in a better way in whichever state she is allocated to. Wherever she will get to work, she will discharge her duties with full honesty and justice. Her priorities will be to take the schemes of the government to the grassroot level.
SUGGESTIONS FOR UPSC ASPIRANTS
“My first suggestion would be that you should individualise your preparation. Rather than following someone else, you should be focussed on your strength and weakness.Target those and prepare accordingly. Second would be, have faith in whatever you are doing. These are the two primary suggestions that I have for UPSC aspirants,” Diksha told Indian Masterminds.
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She also added that UPSC aspirants should not get discouraged if they fail in the examination and should prepare again with double enthusiasm. “One day you will definitely get success.”
