Background and Education
Shakti Dubey, who secured Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, comes from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. She pursued her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry (B.Sc.) from Allahabad University, followed by a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in the same field from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Despite her academic background in science, she chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject, citing her interest in humanities and its relevance in the General Studies portion.
Preparation Journey
Her success came in her fifth attempt, demonstrating resilience and a strong learning curve. In the previous year (2023), she narrowly missed clearing the exam by just two marks—an experience that motivated her to fine-tune her strategy.
Key Elements of Her UPSC Strategy
- Smart Study over Quantity
Shakti followed a focused study plan, relying only on selective, standard resources instead of reading too many books or notes. - Understanding the Syllabus Thoroughly
She emphasized the importance of aligning all preparation with the UPSC syllabus to avoid wasting time on unnecessary topics. - Consistent Newspaper Reading
Daily reading of newspapers was essential to her current affairs preparation, supported by monthly magazine compilations. - Rigorous Answer Writing
Practicing answer writing through test series helped her improve presentation, clarity, and time management. - Adapting and Improving
After every attempt, she took time to reassess her strategy and implement changes, especially in her optional subject and essay writing approach. - Maintaining Balance
She avoided burnout by maintaining a steady and healthy study schedule, with breaks and time for self-care.
Resources She Used
Though Shakti didn’t publicly share a detailed booklist, her strategy leaned toward:
NCERTs and Standard Textbooks (for Polity, History, Geography, etc.)
Government reports and authentic data sources
Monthly current affairs compilations
Self-made short notes for quick revision
Previous year question papers for pattern analysis
Coaching Support
She utilized selective support from reputed coaching institutes:
NEXT IAS: Took help in GS subjects, Current Affairs, Essay, and Interview Preparation.
Vajiram & Ravi: Enrolled for GS Foundation and Test Series, and attended their interview guidance program.
Answer Writing Techniques
Her mains answers stood out due to:
Structured introduction-body-conclusion format
Use of underlining and bullet points
Relevance and depth in analysis
Visuals like diagrams and flowcharts for better impact
Her Advice to Aspirants
Shakti believes that perseverance, a realistic strategy, and emotional stability are crucial to cracking UPSC. She encourages aspirants to focus on understanding concepts rather than rote learning and to not get discouraged by failures.
Video Interview
You can also listen to her own words and strategy here:
Shakti Dubey’s UPSC Interview – AIR 1 (2024)