UPSC Civil Services: Aditya Srivastava, a native of Lucknow, distinguished himself as the nationwide topper in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services mains examination of 2023. Transitioning from the corporate world of Goldman Sachs to India’s civil service forefront, Srivastava’s journey stands as a testament to his determination and ambition.

A graduate of IIT Kanpur with a degree in electrical engineering, Srivastava embarked on his professional path in 2019 by joining Goldman Sachs, stationed in Bengaluru. However, driven by a fervent aspiration to contribute to the nation through civil services, he relinquished his lucrative investment banking career after 15 months, returning to his roots in Lucknow to dedicate himself entirely to UPSC exam preparation.

Srivastava’s preparation strategy diverged from conventional methods, relying heavily on previous years’ questions, mock tests, and interviews. Emphasizing strategic preparation over mere hard work, he distinguished between the two, as highlighted in a report by Moneycontrol.

Despite facing setbacks, notably failing in the preliminary stage in 2021, Srivastava persisted, drawing valuable lessons from each setback. His resilience bore fruit in 2022 when he secured the 236th rank in his second attempt. Undeterred, he applied once more in 2023, ultimately clinching the coveted top rank.

Alongside Srivastava, Animesh Pradhan secured the second rank, with Donuru Ananya Reddy attaining the third rank in the UPSC exams.

The successful candidates of the UPSC examination are poised to assume pivotal roles in various government services, including the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, and Central Services Group A and Group B.