1. Early Life & Hometown: Roots in Prayagraj

Shakti Dubey was born and raised in Tagore Town, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh—a city historically known as the cradle of civil servants. Prayagraj has produced several distinguished IAS and IPS officers, and this environment naturally fosters academic seriousness and administrative ambition.

From a young age, Shakti was inclined toward learning and self-expression. She studied at St. Mary’s Convent School, where she actively participated in debates, discussions, and public speaking activities. These early experiences played a crucial role in shaping her confidence, articulation skills, and analytical thinking—qualities that later proved invaluable in the UPSC Personality Test (Interview).

Growing up in an intellectually vibrant city, surrounded by stories of civil servants and public service, gradually strengthened her aspiration to serve society through administration.

2. Parents’ Background & Their Role: The Foundation of Values

Behind every successful aspirant stands a strong support system, and Shakti Dubey’s family played a defining role in her journey.

Father: Discipline and Service

Her father, Shri Devendra Dubey, is a Sub-Inspector in the Uttar Pradesh Police. His life of discipline, integrity, and public service deeply influenced Shakti’s worldview. Observing her father’s commitment to duty instilled in her a respect for governance, law, and responsibility.

For Shakti, civil services were not merely a prestigious career choice—they represented an opportunity to serve society with authority and accountability, values she had witnessed firsthand at home.

Mother: The Silent Strength

Her mother, Smt. Prema Dubey, is a homemaker and the emotional backbone of the family. During Shakti’s long years of preparation, marked by uncertainty and repeated setbacks, her mother ensured a calm, supportive, and pressure-free environment.

This emotional stability allowed Shakti to focus entirely on her preparation without the burden of expectations or fear of failure.

Family Values

Coming from a family rooted in service-oriented values, Shakti always viewed the IAS as a means to create real social impact, not just personal success.

3. Educational Journey: A Gold Medalist’s Academic Excellence

Shakti Dubey’s academic record reflects consistency, discipline, and excellence.

• Class 10 (CBSE): Perfect 10 CGPA
• Class 12 (CBSE): 94.2%
• Graduation:
  B.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Allahabad
  – Gold Medalist
• Post-Graduation:
  M.Sc. in Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), 2018
  – Gold Medalist with 9.21 CGPA

Her academic achievements demonstrate her strong conceptual clarity and analytical ability.

Research Background

Before fully committing to UPSC preparation, Shakti also worked on research related to si-RNA Nanoparticle Therapy for cancer treatment. This exposure to scientific research strengthened her logical reasoning, patience, and attention to detail—skills that later helped her in UPSC answer writing.

Despite having a promising scientific career path, she made the bold decision to dedicate herself entirely to civil services.

4. The Long Marathon: Attempts, Failures, and Persistence

Shakti Dubey’s journey is a reminder that UPSC success is rarely linear.

She achieved AIR 1 in her 5th attempt, after facing multiple setbacks:

• Attempts 1, 2, and 3:
  Could not clear the Preliminary Examination
• Attempt 4 (2023):
  Cleared Prelims and Mains, reached the Interview stage, but missed the final list
• Attempt 5 (2024):
  Secured All India Rank 1 with a total score of 1043 marks

The most challenging phase of her preparation was the three consecutive failures at the Prelims stage. Instead of giving up, she treated each failure as feedback.

Her journey highlights one crucial truth:

UPSC rewards those who are willing to learn, adapt, and persist.

5. Optional Subject: Political Science & International Relations (PSIR)

Despite being a science graduate and postgraduate, Shakti chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject.

Why PSIR?

• Significant overlap with General Studies Papers
• Direct relevance to current affairs and governance
• Helps in essay writing and interview discussions

Preparation Strategy

• Relied on standard notes, including guidance similar to Shubhra Ranjan’s PSIR framework
• Focused on conceptual clarity over memorization
• Integrated contemporary international events, such as:
  • India’s role in the G20
  • Leadership of the Global South
  • Changing global power dynamics

Her answers stood out because she connected theory with current realities, a key expectation of UPSC.

6. Complete Preparation Strategy: Prelims, Mains & Interview

Prelims Strategy

Initially struggling with Prelims, Shakti made a crucial shift:

• Moved away from rote learning
• Focused on logical elimination
• Analyzed 10+ years of Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
• Studied how UPSC creates trap options

This strategic change became a turning point in her preparation.

Mains Strategy

Her Mains preparation emphasized value addition:

• Structured answers with headings and subheadings
• Used flowcharts and diagrams
• Quoted:
  • Economic Survey data
  • Supreme Court judgments
• Linked answers to constitutional values and ethics

Her scientific background helped her present answers with clarity and precision.

Interview Strategy

Shakti scored an impressive 200 out of 275 in the Personality Test.

Her approach was simple:

• Be authentic
• Avoid pretending to know everything
• Express balanced and thoughtful opinions
• Maintain calm body language and clarity of thought

She focused on being a real person, not a rehearsed candidate.

7. Coaching Guidance & Resources

Shakti followed a hybrid approach:

• Strong emphasis on self-study
• Selective use of coaching and mentorship

Key Resources

• Next IAS and Vision IAS
• Test series and Interview Guidance Programs (IGP)
• Regular mock tests, including Abhyaas

She strongly believes that mock tests are essential to build:

• Writing speed
• Mental stamina
• Exam temperament

8. Daily Routine & Discipline

Shakti maintained a balanced and sustainable routine:

• 8–10 hours of focused study daily
• Treated preparation like a 9-to-5 job
• Evenings reserved for rest and mental recovery

This balance helped her avoid burnout during the long preparation cycle.

9. Key Challenges & Resilience

The “Three-Year Prelims Slump”

Failing Prelims three times was emotionally draining. She overcame it by:

• Conducting a ruthless self-audit
• Identifying weak areas
• Changing her MCQ-solving approach

Transition from Science to Humanities

Adapting to descriptive writing and humanities subjects was another challenge. She addressed it by:

• Strengthening NCERT foundations
• Practicing answer writing consistently

Her journey proves that background does not limit success—strategy does.

10. Lessons & Motivation for UPSC Aspirants

Shakti Dubey’s journey offers powerful lessons:

• Method over Luck:
  Luck matters only when preparation is solid.
• Failure is Feedback:
  Every setback carries a lesson.
• Consistency Beats Intensity:
  Sustainable effort wins in the long run.
• Have a Plan B:
  A strong academic or professional backup reduces mental pressure.
• Believe in Yourself:
  Self-doubt is the biggest enemy of long-term preparation.

“Your previous failures do not define your final rank.”