Shakti Dubey secured the coveted All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024, making her one of the most inspiring success stories among aspirants. Hailing from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, she grew up in a middle-class household. Her father, Devendra Dubey, is a sub-inspector in the UP Police, and her mother, Prema Devi, is a homemaker.

Early Life and Education

Shakti Dubey’s school days were spent at St. Mary’s Convent School, Ghoorpur, Prayagraj, where she topped her class year after year. After schooling, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at the University of Allahabad and later completed her M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Her academic brilliance was evident throughout, as she secured gold medals during her BSc and MSc Courses.

What Inspired Her to Join the Civil Services

Despite her strong science background, Shakti Dubey was drawn to public service. Her motivation stemmed from growing up in a family with a police officer — she saw firsthand how the presence of police, even a single patrol van, gave citizens a sense of safety. During her time at BHU, she immersed herself in policy debates and campus discussions, becoming deeply interested in governance, law, and the systems that shape society. This blend of personal exposure and intellectual curiosity eventually convinced her that civil service was her path.

UPSC Journey: Trials, Failures & Resolve

Shakti Dubey’s road to the top was not easy. She attempted the UPSC CSE five times before finally achieving All India Rank 1. In her early attempts, she struggled with prelims; by her fourth attempt, she had reached the UPSC Mock Interview stage but missed selection. On her fifth attempt, with a refined strategy and maturity, she cracked the entire exam. Her preparation spanned seven years, starting in 2018. She did much of her preparation without enrolling in a UPSC coaching institute — a fact her family often highlights. She relied heavily on self-study, disciplined schedules, and resilience to bounce back after each setback. Her journey underscores not just intellectual strength but mental fortitude.

Optional Subject & Exam Strategy

For her optional subject, Shakti Dubey chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR), which played to her strengths. Her scientific training (from Biochemistry) gave her analytical rigor, while her passion for policy helped her synthesise ideas for the humanities portion of the exam. She often attributes her methodical preparation to her academic background and problem-solving mindset. She also emphasized consistency, time management, and a daily disciplined routine in her preparation — commitments that paid off in the long run.

Why She Chose Civil Service

In UPSC Mock interviews, Shakti Dubey has spoken candidly about her motivation to join the civil services. She mentions how her father’s role in the police gave her a window into public service. She realised that even small acts of authority and responsibility — like a patrol van making someone feel safe — can have a powerful social impact. She also credits her time at BHU, where debates and exposure to policy made her realise that governance is not just about power — it's about creating systems that genuinely serve people.

Mock Interview: Key Insights

An IAS Mock Interview conducted by Vajirao and Reddy IAS Institute gives us a fascinating peek into Shakti Dubey’s personality, thinking style, and approach to the UPSC Personality Test.

In this session:

Confidence & Composure: Shakti Dubey answers questions with calm precision. Her tone is measured, and she demonstrates clarity of thought even on abstract questions.

Depth of Knowledge: Her responses reveal not just textbook knowledge but lived understanding — she draws on real-life observations (e.g., police public service) and campus debates from her BHU days.

Values & Motivation: She consistently brings the discussion back to her core belief in public service, equating civil service with meaningful change, not just a career.

Resilience: When asked about past failures, she candidly admits the struggle but doesn't shy away: she talks about learning from each attempt, refining her strategy, and staying mentally strong.

Long-term Vision: She speaks about social issues she cares about — especially women’s safety, a topic she has mentioned in press interviews too.

Legacy and Takeaways for Aspirants

Shakti Dubey’s journey is more than just a success story — it’s a roadmap for aspirants who believe in persistence, self-discipline, and purpose. From failing multiple times to topping the exam, her trajectory shows how repeated setbacks can be converted into stepping stones. Many aspirants draw inspiration from her balanced use of science and social sciences, her self-study ethos, and her deep-rooted motivation to serve the public.

She also emphasizes mental resilience: losing in earlier attempts didn’t demotivate her — instead, she learned and adapted. Her IAS mock interview performance shows she is not just a brilliant exam-taker, but a thoughtful, composed individual who genuinely cares about governance.

For anyone preparing for UPSC Mock Interview, Shakti Dubey’s story is a powerful lesson: if you combine hard work, strategy, and values, the top rank is not just a dream — it’s achievable.

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