UPSC 2024: After three failures, Abhishek Singh fought again to complete 78th in his 4th try
In a world the place one failure can derail goals, Abhishek Singh’s story stands tall as a reminder that perseverance nonetheless pays off. A local of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, and an alumnus of IIT Hyderabad, Abhishek failed not as soon as however thrice within the Union Public Service Fee (UPSC) Civil Providers Examination. However on his fourth try in UPSC 2024, he cracked the celebrated check with an All India Rank of 78.Removed from being disheartened by repeated setbacks, Singh went again to the drafting board every time, refining his method with calm dedication. “Consistency and onerous work carried me via the darkest days,” he says, reflecting on the lengthy, emotionally demanding street to success.
An engineer drawn to public service
Although Singh graduated in engineering from IIT Hyderabad, he was by no means all in favour of company careers or coding jobs. “My coronary heart was all the time drawn to public service,” he says. That conviction turned the bedrock of his UPSC journey—a choice rooted extra in objective than career.His preparation started with a methodical technique: Depend on customary sources, keep syllabus-focused, and observe Earlier 12 months Questions (PYQs) religiously. “PYQs helped me perceive what the examination actually calls for. They stored me aligned,” he notes.
Writing issues greater than studying
UPSC, based on Singh, isn’t an examination for rote learners. “It doesn’t simply check your data. It assessments your retention, readability, and precision,” he says. To grasp the artwork of reply writing, he devoted a full six months to centered apply—an funding that paid off in the course of the Mains stage. “That behavior of writing every day not solely helped within the examination, however constructed my confidence too,” he provides.
The sport-changing shift to Anthropology
By the point his fourth try got here round, Singh made a daring transfer—he ditched Civil Engineering, his preliminary optionally available, and switched to Anthropology. It was a calculated danger, and one which reworked his scorecard. “It turned out to be top-of-the-line selections of my journey,” he says, smiling. With 298 marks in Anthropology, the optionally available paper turned a deciding think about securing his top-100 end.
What Abhishek learnt from failure and meditation
By way of three failed makes an attempt, Singh endured not solely tutorial rejection however private challenges as nicely. “I confronted a number of well being points. There have been moments I felt damaged,” he recollects. However as an alternative of spiraling, he turned inward—drawing energy from his mother and father’ goals, his buddies’ help, and Vipassana meditation, which he credit for serving to him keep mentally centred.“UPSC isn’t just an examination; it’s a transformative expertise,” he feels. “Embracing the method made me a greater particular person, not only a higher aspirant.”
The facility of steering
Because the persona check approached, Singh leaned on structured mentorship to arrange for one of the unpredictable phases of the examination. He recollects how the mock classes together with his mentor, Shubham Aggarwal of Vidyapeeth IAS didn’t simply polish his responses—however helped him keep grounded, calm, and clear-headed within the days main as much as the interview. “On the day of my precise interview, I used to be feeling anxious. His phrases gave me the stability I wanted,” Singh reveals.
UPSC will not be the tip of life
As Singh steps into the subsequent chapter of his life in public service, his message to aspirants is grounded and clear-eyed. “Consider in your self. Be constant. Keep grounded. And above all, benefit from the journey,” he says.Singh leaves behind a chunk of knowledge solely failure can educate. “Give UPSC your all, however don’t connect your complete identification to it. Onerous work and luck each matter—however so does figuring out when to breathe, replicate, and transfer ahead,” he indicators off.
From the mentor’s desk
Aggarwal, his mentor, recollects Singh as one of the memorable candidates he’s mentored. “At first look, he regarded like a easy, small-town boy—a desi lad from Jaunpur. However inside that simplicity was an IIT thoughts and a fireplace to serve,” he recollects.Describing Singh as ‘humble, sharp, hardworking, and filled with gratitude’, Aggarwal provides, “He stored his mentors on their toes. He’s the form of scholar each trainer hopes for.”
