UPSC Success Story: Left a ₹40 Lakh Package to Pursue Civil Services, From IPS to AIR-1 IAS Officer

Aditya Srivastava’s Journey from IIT to UPSC AIR-1
Aditya Srivastava from Uttar Pradesh exemplifies determination and perseverance. After excelling in India’s toughest engineering entrance exams, IIT-JEE Mains and Advanced, he secured admission to IIT Kanpur, completing his B.Tech and M.Tech in Electrical Engineering. Despite a lucrative ₹40 lakh job offer from a multinational company in Bengaluru, he chose to follow his father’s dream of joining the civil services.

Early Academic Excellence
Growing up in Eldeco City, Lucknow, Aditya consistently stood out academically. He attended CMS School, Aliganj, scoring an impressive 97.8% in Class 10 and 97.5% in Class 12. His academic brilliance laid the foundation for his future success in highly competitive exams.

IIT-JEE Success and Engineering Career
Aditya cracked JEE Mains with top ranks, followed by a stellar performance in JEE Advanced, securing his place at IIT Kanpur. Post graduation, he joined an MNC in Bengaluru, gaining professional experience for about 18 months. However, his father’s aspiration and his personal ambition to serve the nation through civil services motivated him to resign and prepare for UPSC.

UPSC Preparation and Initial Setback
He began preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2021 but faced failure in his first attempt. Instead of giving up, Aditya doubled his efforts with NCERT books, online resources, and consistent guidance, supported by his family.

From IPS to IAS AIR-1
In 2022, Aditya cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam with Rank 236, becoming an IPS officer. Despite this achievement, he continued his preparation and in 2023, he topped the UPSC exam, achieving All India Rank 1 and joining the IAS cadre of Uttar Pradesh, his home state.

Aditya attributes his success to hard work, time management, and a positive mindset, inspiring millions of UPSC aspirants across India.

Key Takeaway:
Aditya Srivastava’s journey teaches us that sacrifices, persistence, and self-belief can turn dreams into reality. From leaving a lucrative career to topping India’s toughest exam, his story is a beacon of motivation for every aspirant aiming for civil services.