https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Exclusive Interview With UPSC Topper Shubham Kumar, Shares Valuable Tips On How to Crack Civil Services Exam

“Never lose hope, believe in yourself, and practice a lot. You will reach your desired goal.” The young achiever also shares his UPSC preparation strategies.
Indian Masterminds Stories

UPSC 2020 topper Shubham Kumar is right now an extremely sought-after man. In between attending calls of well-wishers and media persons, Shubham took some time out of his busy schedule for Indian Masterminds, and spoke candidly on how to tackle the UPSC exam.

HOW HE PREPARED FOR UPSC

In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Shubham Kumar shared his preparation strategies and also revealed about his UPSC interview round. He said, “In the initial years, I did some coaching for my preparation. However, apart from that, I always read books that enhanced my knowledge.”

NACS President Retired IAS officer BK Prasad congratulating Shubham Kumar (Credit: Twitter- NACS)

Shubham had a clear strategy for preparation right from the beginning, “I always focused on my core syllabus, limited my sources, and revised my topics regularly. To keep myself updated, I read current affairs daily. Simultaneously, I took a lot of mock tests to prepare myself.”

Shubham shunned social media. He totally stayed away from it during his preparation days. “Till date, I do not have any official account. Although, I have to be a part of it now,” he quipped.

WHAT MADE HIM CHOOSE ANTHROPOLOGY

Being a graduate from IIT Bombay, it is surprising that Shubham chose Anthropology as his optional subject. On being asked why he chose this subject, he said that he always had an interest in social science. However, he never got the opportunity to study it, as he was pursuing engineering from IIT Bombay. “When I started preparing for UPSC, I compared other social science subjects with Anthropology, and I found the syllabus of Anthropology very interesting. It was one of my core interests anyways, and I was certainly good at it. That’s when I realized that I can score good marks in this subject,” he said.

Shubham Kumar celebrating with friends and family after the result (Credit: Social Media)

HOW THE INTERVIEW ROUND WENT

To everyone who is curious to know what type of questions was asked by the panelists in the viva round, this is what Shubham had to say: “My interview round was pretty decent this time. I was mainly asked about my rural background. Few questions were based on the Afghanistan issue and current affairs. While some questions were based on my college and engineering backgrounds. ”He revealed that the chairman of the panel also asked him, what will be his strategies if he was made the DM of his area for two years.

https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/1442307987280855042?s=20

VAULABLE TIPS TO HANDLE PRESSURE

On what tips he wishes to give to UPSC aspirants, Shubham replied, “You have to be confident enough during the period of preparation.” However, he thinks, “it’s totally normal to be fearful because the journey of UPSC is such that one goes through end number of emotions.” Every topper goes through this phase, he assured.

DM Kishanganj Welcomes Shubham Kumar in Bihar (Credit: Twitter-NACS)

Shubham ends on a positive note. “Never lose hope, believe in your syllabus, practice a lot, and focus on your strength. Work hard and you will reach your desired goal,” are his parting words of advice to all UPSC aspirants.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
UPSC IAS IPS IFS
UPSC Declares Final Results of Combined Section Officers’ (Grade ‘B’) LDCE 2024, 303 Candidates Selected for CSS
nmdc resized
Steel Industry Relief: NMDC Slashes Iron Ore Prices by Up to Rs600 per Tonne Amid Weak Market Demand
MCL
Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL) to Boost Coal Output by 50% by 2035, Backs CIL’s 1-Billion Tonne Target
CEA
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) & IIT Roorkee Forge Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Innovation in Power Sector
5G_
DoT Begins New Spectrum Demand Assessment for Private 5G Networks Through Saral Sanchar Portal
Reserve-Bank-of-India_RBI_resized
2 Years After Withdrawal, Rs 2000 Notes Worth Rs 6,099 Crore Still in Circulation
coal india and hindustan copper
India’s Clean Energy Push: Coal India Signs MoU with Hindustan Copper to Collaborate in Critical Mineral Sector
National-Highways-Authority-of-Indiaa
IAS Vinay Kumar Appointed as Chief Vigilance Officer of NHAI on Additional Charge - Know More
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Air India
Is Air India Carrying The Burden of Split Before Privatisation?
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
Ex-IRS Officer C. Rajendiran Illuminates Thirukkural’s Timeless Wisdom in Exclusive Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IPS Deepak Meghani
Deepak Meghani, IPS: A Journey of Focus, Failure, and Quiet Discipline
A passionate writer, he has authored several books in Gujarati, ranging from exam strategy guides to...
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
Social Media
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
UPSC IAS IPS IFS
UPSC Declares Final Results of Combined Section Officers’ (Grade ‘B’) LDCE 2024, 303 Candidates Selected for CSS
nmdc resized
Steel Industry Relief: NMDC Slashes Iron Ore Prices by Up to Rs600 per Tonne Amid Weak Market Demand
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Air India
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT