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After studying B.Tech, Abhishek Vashishtha went to study Political Science and passed both JRF and NET examinations. But it was his passion that helped him achieve AIR 14 in UPSC.
IAS Abhishek Vashishtha urged candidates to focus on limited, high-quality resources and build a strong foundation with NCERT.
A native of Delhi, Abhishek Vashishtha’s desire to serve the society made him transform from an engineer to a civil service servant. After completing his B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from Ambedkar Institute of Advanced Communication Technologies and Research in Delhi, he developed a keen interest in political science, leading to a master’s degree in the field. He also qualified JRF and NET examination and received Junior Research Fellowship in Political Science. However, civil services was his ultimate goal.
“Despite receiving a placement offer from a multinational company, I chose to prepare for UPSC. Choosing the UPSC path after completing B.Tech was driven by the desire to serve society and make a significant impact on a larger scale. The sense of purpose and job satisfaction provided by civil services was unique for me,” he told AyraNews24x7.
IRS to IPS to IAS
After finishing college in 2017, he started preparing for UPSC exam. Vashishtha prepared for a year and made his first attempt in 2018, however, he failed to clear the prelims. In 2019, he once again appeared for the exam and cleared the prelims, but missed the main cutoff by just one mark.
In 2020, he passed the exam and was allotted to the Indian Revenue Service. He was appointed IPS in 2022. However, his passion and desire motivated him to appear for the exam again. In 2024, he achieved rank 14 and was allotted to IAS.
“I chose the UPSC route after completing my B.Tech. The answer lies in the very nature of civil services. It is one of the very few platforms where you can directly serve society and create meaningful impact on a large scale. The scope to work for the public, contribute to nation-building and bring tangible improvements in people’s lives is immense. For me, the sense of purpose and job satisfaction provided by civil services is unmatched. Serving the country and making a difference to the society Working for UPSC was the driving force behind my decision to do UPSC,” he said. Said.
UPSC preparation
For his preparation, Vashishtha first focused on NCERT for basic knowledge. For politics, he mentioned Laxmikant; For economics, he used internet resources and YouTube videos; For modern history, he relied on Spectrum, written by Rajeev Ahir; For Geography, he depended on NCERT; For ancient and medieval India, they used the old NCERT; For art and culture, he referred to Nitin Singhania’s book; And for science and technology, I covered current affairs.
“My interest in Political Science and International Relations, especially India’s global engagement, naturally led me to choose Political Science and International Relations as my optional subject,” he said.
how to crack interview
The UPSC interview, or personality test, assesses qualities suitable for a civil servant, such as balanced thinking, clarity of expression, logical reasoning and honesty. The board consists of five members and is interactive. Questions may be based on socio-political or economic issues or on information in the Detailed Application Form (DAF-II).
He said, “During my interview, I faced questions related to my hobbies, such as the difference between T20 cricket and Test cricket, reflective diary writing and air pollution in Delhi. The questions were diverse.”
“It is important to understand the exam process and syllabus,” he advised UPSC aspirants. He urged the candidates to focus on the limited, high-quality resources and build a strong foundation with NCERT. Daily reading of newspaper and regular practice is necessary for current affairs. He said, practice helps in applying the knowledge during the exam.
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