What does it take to become the #1 rank holder in India’s toughest exam?
Is it intelligence? A powerful background? Expensive coaching?
Not always.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, UP: Shakti Dubey secures 1st rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2025
Her mother Prema Dubey says, "I am very happy but she has been able to achieve this rank because of the blessings of Mahadev. I had no role to play. She studied day and night. She is in… pic.twitter.com/gdEpvzxOFb
Sometimes, it’s just 7 years of pure belief, consistent struggle, and a quiet fire to prove yourself.
That’s the story of Shakti Dubey, the girl from Prayagraj, who cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 with AIR 1. Not because she was born lucky. But because she refused to give up, even when it would’ve been easier to walk away.
This is not just her success story. This is a playbook for every UPSC aspirant who’s ever doubted themselves.
Who is Shakti Dubey?
Shakti Dubey is a simple, middle-class girl from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
She completed her BSc in Biochemistry from Allahabad University and then did her MSc in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
She wasn’t a topper in school or someone who started preparing for civil services from childhood.
She was a teacher. A normal girl with an abnormal dream to become an IAS officer.
And that dream didn’t come easy.
“That exposure helped me fall in love with policy, law, and the power of structured argument,” she shared.
– Shakti Dubey
Shakti Dubey Family Background: Simple Roots, Strong Values
Shakti was born and raised in a modest middle-class family in Prayagraj.
Her father, Devendra Kumar Dubey, serves as a peshkar (court clerk) in the police department. Her mother, Prema Dubey, is a homemaker who played a pivotal role in Shakti’s upbringing and success.
“She studied day and night. We had no role to play except blessings. This is all her hard work,” said her mother after the results.
Despite having a demanding job, her father ensured she got everything she needed.
“I just made sure she had the resources she needed. The rest was her dedication and God’s blessings,” he told ANI.
The family never had to push her. From the beginning, Shakti was self-motivated, focused, and disciplined.
The 7-Year Struggle
For most people, preparing for UPSC once is mentally exhausting.
But Shakti didn’t stop after one attempt. Or two.
She kept going for 7 years.
She didn’t come from Delhi’s coaching bubble or a political background. She didn’t have fancy resources or even internet access at times.
What she did have was consistency.
Every day, she woke up with one goal: To study a little better than yesterday.
She failed. She cried. She doubted herself.
But she didn’t quit.
That’s what separates toppers from the rest — not their IQ, but their patience.
UPSC CSE 2024: The Year of Breakthrough
In the UPSC CSE 2024, more than 10 lakh candidates applied. Only 1,009 made it to the final list.
And only one name stood at the top: Shakti Dubey.
She cleared Prelims, Mains, and Interview with exceptional performance.
Her optional subject was Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) — a favorite among humanities students.
But what made her stand out?
Let’s break it down.
Shakti’s UPSC Strategy – What Made Her AIR 1
While there’s no “one perfect formula” for UPSC, Shakti’s preparation strategy is worth understanding.
1. Minimal Distractions
Shakti cut herself off from distractions — no social media scrolling, no wasting time on comparing with others.
She built a routine and stuck to it, day after day.
2. Mastery Over Basics
Instead of jumping to advanced content, she focused deeply on NCERTs, especially for History, Polity, Geography, and Economy.
She revised them at least 5–6 times.
3. Focused Optional Subject – PSIR
Political Science and IR helped her in both Mains and Interview.
She read thinkers and political theories thoroughly, followed international news for current relevance, and practiced answer writing every single week.
4. Answer Writing Practice
She didn’t wait until the last months.
She started practicing answers from her very first attempt — even when she felt her writing wasn’t good.
She wrote at least 3–5 answers daily, got feedback from mentors, and improved gradually.
This helped her finish papers on time in Mains — a skill many fail at.
5. Newspaper Reading + Current Affairs
She read The Hindu and Indian Express daily, and made her own notes.
She didn’t rely heavily on coaching institutes’ monthly compilations. She believed in making personalized notes, which helped her retain better.
6. Revision, Revision, Revision
She followed a revision strategy where she would revise:
- After 1 day
- After 7 days
- After 30 days
This spaced repetition technique helped her retain static and current information better.
7. Mock Tests
She took more than 40 Prelims mock tests and 15 full-length Mains mocks.
She used these to not just test knowledge, but to improve time management and accuracy.
Mental Health – The Invisible Battle
Shakti admits there were days when she felt like giving up.
She saw friends getting jobs, settling down, moving on with life.
Meanwhile, she was stuck in a cycle of books, notes, and anxiety.
But her family stood by her.
And more importantly, she learned how to manage her mind. She did meditation, journaling, and took breaks when needed.
“Success doesn’t mean you’re never broken,” she said in an interview. “It just means you kept walking even when you were.”
Shakti’s Message to Aspirants
“Don’t chase UPSC to prove others wrong. Do it to prove yourself right.”
Shakti believes that everyone doesn’t need to study 12 hours a day. What matters more is what you study, how consistently, and with what mindset.
Here’s her simple advice:
- Focus on quality, not quantity.
- Revise more than you read.
- Believe in your strategy — don’t keep switching.
- Take care of your mental health. This is a long race.
Can You Be the Next Shakti Dubey?
Yes.
And no — if you’re expecting a shortcut.
If you’re willing to struggle, learn from failures, and stay committed for the long haul, then yes, 100%.
UPSC doesn’t need a genius. It needs someone who’s obsessed with not giving up.
Like Shakti.
So here’s the real question: Will you start today?
Final Thoughts
Shakti Dubey’s journey isn’t just about clearing an exam.
It’s about becoming the kind of person who can survive storms, stand tall, and win with dignity.
She showed us that dreams don’t need money or background. They just need courage, time, and hard work.
Her story will inspire thousands of students across India — not just to attempt UPSC, but to believe in themselves again.
Because if a girl from Prayagraj can fight for 7 years and become India’s #1, what’s stopping you?
Read more inspiring stories and career updates from Yupbeat.
