“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” Siddharth Gupta has actually lived these lines. He made it his motto in life, and that is why, even after many failures, he never gave up on his dream of getting into civil services. He failed to clear three UPSC CSE attempts even after writing mains and giving interviews. But, today, he is UP’s State Civil Services topper. He is going to become a deputy collector as he cracked UPPCS – 2023 with Rank 1.
Hailing from the famous Deoband town in Saharanpur district, Siddharth is currently posted in Bijnor as Naib Tehsildar and giving training at the training centre for accountant and revenue inspectors. His story is an inspiration for every individual who faces failures in life. It will help them realise that failures are temporary barriers in the path of success. If they are fully dedicated to their goal and have the willpower to work hard in any kind of situation, they can easily cross these barriers.
In this exclusive video Interview to Indian Masterminds, Siddharth Gupta talks about how once, consistent negative results used to be a nightmare for him. Every time he used to check the result PDF, the answer was ‘no match found.’ It was a very difficult period for him, but he never gave up and used to keep himself motivated with talks with friends and family members, and by reading motivational books.
“Whenever you find breakers on the road, just slowdown, but never stop. Breakers show that you are on the right track. There will be many bad days in your life. But you have to work harder in those days and bounce back. The capability of bouncing back will put you ahead of everyone,” said Mr. Satwik Srivastava in an exclusive interview to Indian Masterminds.
At one point, he quit a Railways job to chase his dream. And even then, he failed to clear UPSC to join his dream service.
However, he kept his focus on his dream and now, he is going to become a SDM. Coming from rural background, Satwik’s story is an example of how determination and ambition can help you achieve your goal.
JOURNEY: FROM NIT to SDM
Till graduation, he never thought of Civil Services and focussed only on engineering. But during the Covid pandemic in 2020, he changed his mind after seeing the layoffs in the private sector.
Then, in July 2021, he started his preparation for UPPCS. He made three attempts at UPPCS and in his first and second attempts, he could not crack even the prelims.
But, in his third attempt in UPPCS-2023, he cracked the exam with Rank 3.
In the meantime, he had cleared GATE exam in 2022 and got a job in the Railways as Junior Technical Associate. But, he chose not to join it.
Satwik (middle) with his parents
BACKGROUND
Satwik originally belongs to Hardoi district in UP. His father Jagdish Srivasatava is a document writer in the Registrar Office in Hardoi, while his mother is a homemaker. He is the only child of his parents.
He studied till 12th in Saint Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Hardoi. After that, he completed his B. Tech in Civil Engineering from NIT, Jaipur in 2020.
CIVIL SERVICES PREPARATION
In his third attempt of UPPPCS, he prepared more strategically. He joined an online coaching in Lucknow, and focussed on syllabus and PYQs specifically.
He never counted the hours while studying, but still made sure to study a minimum of 5 to 6 hours daily with a focussed mind.
He said, “I made many mistakes in 2022 attempt and could not focus properly on prelims exam due to my Railways job procedure.”
For mains, he says that the examiner don’t want you to be a perfectionist. They just want to see how beautifully you write your answers. Hence, one should practice answer writing daily.
He completed his 70 per cent of mains syllabus before the prelims exam so that after his prelims, he can give time to revision for the mains exam for 3 months.
He urges aspirants to fully devote almost one and half year to the preparation of this exam. “If you want to clear this exam then, please don’t do anything apart from it. And, make your plan carefully. Take 15 days for planning, but do it well and strategically.”
The smile of success
THE INTERVIEW
His Interview was more situation based. He was asked various questions from his background to and from current affairs. He was asked a question on ‘One Nation, One language.’
One member asked him: “If you are a SDM and in your area, Internet has been shut down in a girl’s institution due to anti state activities, what will you do?”
Some questions were asked on ethics, like: “Those who do not learn from history, become history. This had to be answered in the current international context.” To which he replied with the example of Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia conflict and the UN’s failure in these matters. “If they had learned from India-Pakistan conflict, then they would not have repeated the same mistake again.”
One more interesting question he was asked was about the importance books have in our life. He said that this might seem like a simple question, but it came from the board after much deliberations.
He had replied, “Just as a child is brought up by his parents, similarly, books fulfill the desires of a person who is seeking knowledge. Later, we have to go out to get practical knowledge and make some observations too. But, at the initial stage, this work is of books.”
SUGGESTIONS
He advises everyone,not only those in Civil Services, but all who are seeking to achieve certain goals to be focussed on these. “It is human nature to get distracted after some time. But, you have to tell yourself that without achieving your goal, life will not be meaningful for you.“
He added that one should never break consistency. “It would be blunder. If any given day, you don’t want to study, then still study for an hour. It will give you further motivation and boost your morale, as although you did not want to do it, you still did it!”
Everyone can dream big, but only a few get to actually live their dream. UP Police constable Deepak Singh is one among the lucky few. Despite long hours in his difficult and arduous job in the police, with leave few and far between, he has shown that when the heart beats right and the mind is set on the target, no goal is unachievable. He cracked the UPPCS-2023 exam with Rank 20 in his 5th attempt, and will now join as a deputy collector.
His huge success has come as a surprise for his colleagues in Hardoi Police Line, who never saw him missing work, whether it is night duty or day duty.
Speaking exclusively to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Singh narrated his inspiring journey which is full of sleepless nights, exhausting days, and, most of all, hard work.
JOURNEY SO FAR
In 2018, he joined UP Police as a constable and in 2019, he started his civil service journey. What sparked his interest were his officers. They were his inspiration and in 2020, he also started preparing for UPSC along with UPPCS.
His first attempt at UPPCS was in 2019, followed by three more unsuccessful attempts in 2020, 21 and 22, where he could not clear the preliminary phase. So, he changed his strategy for UPPCS-2023, and and not just cracked the exam but also came at the top!
As for UPSC, he gave two attempts in 2020 and 21, but failed. However, he qualified in JRF and UGC Net in 2022.
He said, “Some days, there was no time at all for study because of law and order situations. But, even in those days, I managed to study for 2-3 hours. I used to compromise on sleep and somehow meet the weekly target. Constable job is a very busy one. So, if I could do it, so can anyone!”
BACKGROUND
Born in Semarai village under Thana Ramnagar in Barabanki into a farmer’s family, Deepak Singh has 4 siblings.
He studied in his village till the 6th standard and then at the district headquarter, Barabanki, from where he also completed his 12th from Maharani Lakshmibai Memorial Inter College in 2014. Thereafter, he did BA in Medieval & Modern History and Public Administration from Lucknow University. He also did Post Graduation in Medieval & Modern History while on his constable job.
CIVIL SERVICE PREPARATION
He started his civil service exam preparation with NCERTs and other standard books. But, he could not clear the prelims in both UPSC and UPPCS till 2022.
So he came up with a different strategy and worked on his weaknesses. He focussed on understanding the exam pattern, sticking to the syllabus, solving PYQs and making more reliable and feasible notes. For notes, he took help of many online coaching and Internet materials. He also watched many study videos. For current affairs, he relied on daily newspaper reading and its analysis.
For UP Special, he took help from online Drishti Coaching Notes, and gave mock tests. He also took note of toppers’ interviews and their online notes. He used to study for 5-6 hours daily.
He said, “One must know what ‘not to read’. And to know this, one must understand the syllabus and PYQs. Previous years papers will always hint at what is going to come. For instance, I came to know that UPPCS gives very less focus on medieval history now.”
INTERVIEW
Luckily, his interview was focussed mainly on his job, something he had fervently hoped for. He too played his part by gently directing the panellists’ attention and the conversations towards his work.
For instance, when a board member asked him that if he becomes a DSP and catches a SHO red handed while taking bribe, what will he do? His reply was: “Sir, since I am already in the police department, I know what procedures to follow. First, I will order for the initial investigation and open the SHO’s file. It will be done by a CO rank officer. I will take any further action only after the report of the CO, and, if necessary, order for an investigation by an Additional SP.”
Another panellist asked him: “How much distance is there between you and me in km?” Yet another asked: “What are the pros and cons of ‘One nation, One Election’.”
He was also asked to write some difficult Hindi words on a paper while a member dictated – words like Antarrashtriya, Ujjawal, etc.
MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS
In a concluding message for everyone, he said that it is very important to have a dream as it gives life direction. “If being a constable, I can dream of becoming a DM or a SDM and can achieve it, then, what’s stopping you? You just need to work hard and focus on your goal. Remember, we all get 24 hours in a day. Utilize your time wisely and in a positive manner.”
“Don’t study, but study with honesty. Give the quality time to your preparation and health,” he added.
FUTURE AIM
However, the journey does not stop here for the topper. He will give UPSC CSE again as he has set his eyes on IAS.
He said, “This year, I took break from UPSC, but I will give the exam again with Hindi literature as optional. As a SDM, I will discharge my duties with utmost honesty, and will try to reach out to every common man in my area.”
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has released the UP PCS Mains Exam result on 22nd Dec 2023. Total number of 451 candidates have been qualified for the Interview round.
There are total 254 vacancies for 20 types of posts, this year. Out of these, 150 vacancies have to be filled on the basis of written examination and Interview, for this, 451 candidates have been called for interview.
And, for the rest of 104 posts for 6 types of posts in this recruitment for which selection is to be done only on the basis of written examination. The results for these vacancies will be declared along with the final selection result.
The results of successful candidate is given below in two images. Candidates can search their roll number.
3658 candidates had given the exam for Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Examination-2023 (PCS) Mains -2023. The examination was held between 26 September to 29 September 2023.
After the prelims exam, the mains exam was conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission at 20 examination centers including Prayagraj and Lucknow.
Candidates can also check their results by visiting the official website of the Commission. To know more follow the given steps-
Then, On the home page, go to the Important Segments and click on the Results section
Here, you will fine the PCS – 2023 Mains Result, Click on the “LIST OF CANDIDATES QUALIFIED FOR INTERVIEW IN COMBINED STATE/UPPER SUBORDINATE (MAIN) EXAM-2023”
Now, check your roll number and save the PDF for Future reference
The application process for the State Civil Service i.e. UP PCS examination was started by the Commission on March 3, 2023. The prelims examination for this vacancy was held on 14 May 2023, the result of which was released on 26 June 2023.
After this, the Mains examination was conducted, the result of which has now been released.
The interview schedule will be released on the UPPSC website soon.
Information about marks, cut off marks etc. of the candidates appearing in the said examination will be released after the final result.
The result of women candidates from outside UP will be subject to the final decision passed by the High Court in Special Appeal No. 475 (D) / 2019 conducted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. A detailed release will be issued separately regarding preference and interview for the posts for which the candidates declared successful on the basis of the main examination in question have been successful.
