In the sprawling landscape of Indian bureaucracy, the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is often called the “Mother of All Exams.” Every year, it churns out stories of brilliance, but few resonate as deeply as that of Shakti Dubey, the Prayagraj girl who secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC CSE 2024.
Her story is not just about academic excellence; it is a raw, powerful narrative of resilience, a “never-give-up” attitude, and the quiet strength of a family that stood by her through five grueling years.
Roots in the “Sangam City”
Born and raised in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), a city historically known as a hub for IAS aspirants, Shakti was immersed in an environment that valued education. She completed her schooling at St. Mary’s Convent, Ghoorpur, where she was a consistent topper.
Unlike many who jump straight into humanities, Shakti’s academic foundation was scientific. She earned a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Allahabad University and later a Gold Medal in M.Sc. Biochemistry from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University (BHU). It was during her time at BHU that the seeds of civil service were sown.
“I saw how a single police patrol vehicle could make a student feel safe late at night. That realization—that a small exercise of administrative power can profoundly impact a citizen’s life—drew me to the services.” — Shakti Dubey
The “Twin” Dream and the Fifth Attempt
Shakti’s journey was uniquely shared with her twin sister, Pragati Dubey. Both sisters prepared together, sharing notes, frustrations, and dreams. While Shakti eventually conquered the peak, the 2024 results were bittersweet for the family as Pragati did not make the final list. This emotional facet of her victory highlighted the stark realities of the exam’s competitive nature.
Shakti’s road to AIR 1 was paved with failure.
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Attempts 1-3: She failed to clear the Prelims three times in a row.
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Attempt 4: She reached the interview stage but missed the final list by a heartbreaking 12 marks.
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Attempt 5 (2024): She not only cleared every stage but topped the nation with PSIR (Political Science and International Relations) as her optional subject.
The Strategy: “Limited Resources, Maximum Revision”
Shakti’s strategy for CSE 2024 was a departure from the “hoarding” mentality of many aspirants. She focused on:
1. The “One Source” Rule
Instead of reading ten books for one subject, she read one book ten times. For her optional, PSIR, she relied heavily on standard notes but enriched them with current geopolitical developments, leveraging her analytical scientific mind to write structured, point-wise answers.
2. Answer Writing as a Daily Ritual
Having failed Prelims thrice, Shakti knew her knowledge was sufficient, but her execution needed work. In her fifth attempt, she aggressively practiced answer writing, ensuring her answers were not just factually correct but also administratively viable and empathetic.
3. Emotional Resilience
Shakti openly credits her father, Devendra Dubey, a Sub-Inspector in the UP Police, and her mother for their unwavering support. When she contemplated quitting after her fourth failure, it was her father’s simple advice that kept her going: “The uniform isn’t just a job; it’s a responsibility. If you want it, you have to earn it, no matter how long it takes.”
Why She Is an Icon for Aspirants
Shakti Dubey represents the “everyman” aspirant. She wasn’t an IIT/IIM graduate; she came from a state university background. She didn’t clear it in her first shot; she took five. Her success demystifies the notion that only “born geniuses” crack the UPSC.
Her advice to aspirants has since become viral:
“This exam is part of your life, not your whole life. Treat it with respect, but do not let it define your self-worth. Resilience is more important than intelligence in this marathon.”
Conclusion
Shakti Dubey’s ascent to Rank 1 in 2024 is a testament to the power of perseverance. As she steps into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), she carries with her not just the hopes of her family, but the aspirations of millions of middle-class students from small towns who dare to dream big. Her story reminds us that failure is not a full stop; it is merely a comma in the sentence of success.
Shakti Dubey UPSC AIR 1 2024 FAQs
Q1. How many attempts did Shakti Dubey have?
Ans. She cracked it after 5 unsuccessful attempts.
Q2. Who is Air 1 in UPSC 2025?
Ans. The UPSC Topper 2025 is Shakti Dubey.
Q3. What was Shakti Dubey’s Optional Subject?
Ans. Shakti Dubey’s Optional was PSIR.
Q4. What was Shakti AIR 1 graduation subject?
Ans. UPSC AIR 1 Shakti Dubey graduated in Biochemistry.
Q5. What courses did Shakti Dubey join?
Ans. Shakti Dubey joined Vajiram & Ravi General Studies 10-Month PCM Programme….
