Shakti Dubey: The Inspirational Journey of UPSC 2025 Topper

Shakti Dubey: The Inspirational Journey of UPSC 2025 Topper

 Every year, lakhs of aspirants from all over India test their aspirations through the Civil Services Examination organized by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Not even a thousand of them reach the final list, and only one gets the coveted Rank 1. In UPSC CSE 2024 (results announced in April 2025), that privilege went to Shakti Dubey, a girl from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, whose hard work, perseverance, and love for public service ensured that she completed this incredible milestone.

A Modest Beginning with Big Dreams

Shakti Dubey's is not a tale of overnight success, but one of years of relentless toil. Brought up in Prayagraj, a city famous for its rich cultural and academic past, Shakti was always passionate about studies. She did her BSc in Biochemistry from Allahabad University and went on to do an MSc in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), which is one of India's best institutions.

While she initially thought of becoming a researcher, increasing exposure to social issues and a deep desire to create change from the bottom up attracted her to the civil services. From science graduate to India's premier civil services hopeful was not easy or straightforward but was sculpted over years of hard work and self-reflection.

The Decision to Prepare for UPSC

Shakti kick-started her UPSC journey in 2018, a year she entered the fray in one of the most competitive exam fields globally. She realized quite soon that this was not merely an intellectual challenge—it was a trial of will, determination, and purpose. Six years went by with relentless dedication as she learned from setbacks, perfected her methods, and transformed herself.

Her optional subject, Political Science and International Relations (PSIR), was an informed decision. Although she was from a science background, she had an inclination towards politics, governance, and international relations due to which PSIR proved to be a nice and scoring optional for her. The subject was also complementary to her General Studies papers, and it provided her with a holistic preparation strategy. 

Preparation Strategy: A Balanced and Evolving Approach

Shakti has revealed bits and pieces of her preparation plan through different interviews and media interactions. Her plan was based on three pillars: clarity, consistency, and improvement on the go.

1. Firm Foundation

She started by creating a solid foundation. NCERTs were her point of reference, particularly for topics such as History, Geography, Polity, and Economics. These provided her with an understanding of the fundamental concepts in a straightforward and organized way.

2. Diversified Reading

For current affairs, she relied on The Hindu newspaper, PIB, and government publications like Yojana and Kurukshetra. She supplemented her reading with value-added materials from reputed coaching institutes but always prioritised quality over quantity.

3. Regular Answer Writing

One of the major turning points in her preparation was when she understood that content alone would not secure marks in Mains—it needed to be well-expressed. She wrote answers daily, honing clarity, structure, and balance. She took a test series and examined her own answers critically, learning from model answers and guides.

4. Smart Revision

Revision was not negotiable. She took sharp notes, particularly for current affairs and elective subject, and revised them again and again. Her revision process intensified in the final 3–4 months leading up to the exam.

5. Mental Health and Motivation

Shakti reiterates that UPSC is also a game of the mind. Long hours of study, anxiety, and past failures can exhaust even the most stubborn candidates. She remained with her support group—family members, mentors, and close friends—to keep them posted and occasionally took short breaks to recharge mentally.

Overcoming Setbacks and Staying the Course

Shakti’s journey wasn’t devoid of failures. She faced multiple attempts where she either didn’t clear the Prelims or couldn’t make it past the Mains. But she never allowed those setbacks to define her. Instead, she used them as feedback. She analyzed her mistakes, re-evaluated her strategies, and made necessary changes.

One of her strongest attributes was that she was able to hold on to self-belief. When others would doubt their journey after several failed attempts, Shakti remained committed to her purpose. Her story teaches us that success isn't always the result of first tries—but of learning, adjusting, and refusing to give up.

Interview Round: Calm, Confident, and Grounded

Shakti’s Interview round was described as confident and composed. She was able to convey her thoughts with clarity, link her academic background to public service, and handle situational questions with poise. Her balanced demeanor and realistic approach won the panel over.

She believes that the Interview isn’t about “knowing everything,” but about presenting your personality—your awareness, your empathy, your integrity, and your problem-solving approach. This was something she prepared for by engaging in regular mock interviews and self-reflection.

Message to Aspirants

Shakti’s story is one of quiet resilience, long-term vision, and inner strength. Her message to aspirants is powerful and clear:

 "Don't make UPSC a mere exam. It is a self-discovery process. The process will try to exhaust your patience, shatter your confidence sometimes, but it will also make you a better human being. Believe in the motive of starting this, and never let momentary failures dull your purpose."

She also calls on dreamers to remain cognizant of their own mental health, shun peer comparison, and take time to appreciate small triumphs along the way.

What Lies Ahead

Being the UPSC 2025 topper, Shakti Dubey will join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), where her academic excellence, down-to-earth nature, and analytical mind will definitely make a positive contribution. She wants to work on issues related to education, health, and women empowerment, influenced by the problems she saw during her childhood in Uttar Pradesh.

She is also interested in policy-making and would like to contribute at the district and national levels towards enhancing access to basic services and transparency in governance.

Conclusion

The story of Shakti Dubey is not merely about UPSC's topper. It's a story of persistence amid pressure, strategy despite stress, and vision despite vanity. For all aspirants grappling with self-doubt or getting embroiled in successive failures, Shakti's tale is a beacon of hope of what one can attain through faith, hard work, and unflinching will.

As she enters a position that will influence policies and change lives, one thing is for sure—India has acquired a dedicated civil servant to the core, and her tale shall illuminate the way for thousands more in the years ahead.