https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Treat UPSC Like Any Other Exam, Says The Boy Who Got AIR 149 in First Try, without Coaching

22-year-old Adarsh Kant Shukla scored AIR 149 in UPSC exam. He prepared on his own without any coaching. He cracked the exam in his very first attempt.
Indian Masterminds Stories

By clearing UPSC 2020 exam in his very first attempt, and that too, without any coaching, 22-year-old Adarsh Kant Shukla of Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, proved that one can crack a competitive exam without joining coaching classes.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the young achiever talked about his UPSC journey and, also, the places he would like to work in.

A CHILDHOOD DREAM

Adarsh Kant told Indian Masterminds that he dreamt of getting into civil services since the time he was young enough to understand its meaning.

“That thought had been at the back of my mind right from class 6-7. Just as any family would want to see their kid become an IAS officer one day, the same was the case with my family, too. However, as I was more inclined towards science, I decided to graduate in BSc,” he said.

Although he received a gold medal in BSc during graduation, his mind gradually started drifting towards civil services. Finally, in 2019, he made up his mind to sit for the UPSC examination.

Adarsh Kant Shukla with his mother

SOLO PREPARATION

He started preparing for the ‘mother of all examinations’ almost immediately after he finished college. He focused on covering the entire syllabus of mains first, and prelims just three months prior to the exam.

“Right from the start, I focused on my optional subject, Sociology. I wasn’t aware that the exam would be postponed due to the pandemic, and, therefore, I had completed my entire preparation by May 2020. However, the postponement was helpful as I could assess myself more,” he informed.

The young aspirant did not join any coaching class and prepared for the exam on his own. “Initially, I was skeptical about my decision. But, as time passed, I became more comfortable with the subjects and could overcome all the hurdles that I faced,” he said.

FRIENDLY PANELISTS

To his surprise, he found the board members quite cooperative in the interview round. Hence, he advises candidates not to make any pre-assumption about the panelists and enter the room with an open mind.

“My interview happened in a very cordial and congenial atmosphere. The members were relaxed and made sure that I do not feel intimidated by their presence. They probed my hobbies and even asked for documentary recommendations from me, as I mentioned that I liked watching them,” he revealed.

He completed his preparation without any coaching

WANTS TO EXPLORE

Adarsh Kant has not seen much of the outside world as he had hardly stepped out of Barabanki. Now that he has cleared UPSC and will soon get his first posting, he wishes to explore the country, especially the Northeast and South India.

“I am very intrigued by their culture and am looking forward with excitement to serve in those regions. I also want to analyze the nature of different problems that exist in different parts of the country, so that I can contribute towards alleviating some of them, at least,” he said.

TREAT UPSC LIKE ANY OTHER EXAM

Saying that aspirants should not lose themselves while preparing for the UPSC exam, he summed up with these words of advice:

“Don’t become someone else while preparing. Treat it like any other exam and don’t make it the sole purpose of your life. It is not the end of the world. Just keep hustling!”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
BPCL_resized
BPCL Partners with GPS Renewables to Set Up Compressed Biogas Plants Nationwide
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL)
UCSL Delivers First Green Cargo Vessel ‘Wilson Eco 1’ to Norway, Marking Major Export Milestone for India
IAS Manoj Ahuja
Odisha: Chief Secretary Mandates Field Visits for Govt Officials to Strengthen Governance
NSE National Stock Exchange
Who Is Former IAS Neeraj Kumar Gupta, the Newly Appointed Chairman & Public Interest Director of NSE International Exchange?
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
Hindustan Shipyard Launches Skilling Programme for 2,000 Contract Workmen under Skill India Mission
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
Lt. Gen Vishwambhar Singh Appointed as Independent Director on BEL Board - Know About Him
NBCC
NBCC Appoints Dr Deepak Singh & Prof. B.P. Bhosale as Independent Directors - Know About Them
MDL_Mazagaon_ltd
Veni Thapar Appointed as Independent Director on Board of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
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 21.26
“You May Fail Twice, But If You Stand Tall the Third Time, You Fly” – Trilok Singh, CSE ’24 AIR 20 | Exclusive
Rejected by the military, Trilok Singh didn’t quit, he reloaded. In CSE 2024, the Rajasthan native stormed...
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...
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
BPCL_resized
BPCL Partners with GPS Renewables to Set Up Compressed Biogas Plants Nationwide
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL)
UCSL Delivers First Green Cargo Vessel ‘Wilson Eco 1’ to Norway, Marking Major Export Milestone for India
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