Daijiworld Media Network - Kanpur
Kanpur, Nov 18: At a time when thousands of civil service aspirants struggle under the pressure of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), the journey of 26-year-old Divyank Gupta stands out as a story of perseverance and mental resilience.
Divyank, a B.Tech graduate from IIT Kanpur, secured an All India Rank of 357 in UPSC CSE 2022 in his third attempt. What makes his achievement remarkable is not just the rank, but the long, demanding, and mentally draining journey behind it—one that many present-day aspirants can relate to.
A difficult path, a determined mind
Divyank’s first two attempts were laden with setbacks. In 2020, he reached the interview stage but missed the final list. In 2021, he couldn’t clear prelims. The repeated failures took a toll on his mental health, especially during the high-pressure phases of prelims and mains preparation.
But instead of giving up, he fought back each time.
“I reminded myself why I began this journey,” he shared. “Whenever I felt demoralised, my brother stood by me and helped me reset and restart.”
An intense preparation cycle
Divyank’s preparation strategy mirrors the discipline required to crack UPSC today. He began by deeply internalising the syllabus and studying previous years’ papers to understand question patterns and anticipate trends.
His preparation numbers speak for themselves:
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10,000 questions solved for prelims
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25 GS mock tests written for mains
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40 mock tests for his optional subject, Mathematics
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Nearly 80 mock interviews practiced with a friend
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A jump from 151 to 201 marks in the interview round in 2022
For Divyank, Mathematics as an optional was both a strength and a scoring opportunity. With guidance from seniors and consistent practice, he managed to score 265 marks, despite acknowledging that a few mistakes held him back.
Aiming higher even after success
While securing AIR 357 is a dream for many, Divyank treated it as a milestone—not the destination. He appeared again for UPSC CSE 2023 prelims, aiming to improve his rank.
“I’m confident I’ll make it,” he said, reflecting his desire not just to enter the service but to secure a position that allows wider impact.
Why UPSC?
Divyank was drawn to the Civil Services early on—not for job security or prestige, but because of the scope to create meaningful change.
“I didn’t want a desk job without job satisfaction,” he said. “The impact you can create through the Civil Services is huge.”
Inspired by seniors from IIT Kanpur who joined the service, he decided to forgo campus placements and commit himself fully to UPSC preparation.
A message for today’s aspirants
Divyank’s journey resonates strongly with the current generation of aspirants who struggle with burnout, uncertainty, and repeated attempts.
His story underlines a few timeless lessons:
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Resilience matters as much as knowledge
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Practice shapes performance
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Mental wellbeing is as crucial as strategy
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Family support can be a pillar of strength
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One success does not mean the journey is over
As thousands prepare for UPSC CSE 2025, Divyank’s trajectory—from setbacks to success, and then striving for more—serves as a powerful reminder that the exam is not just a test of intellect, but of endurance and belief.
His success remains a motivating blueprint for aspirants across the country, proving once again that grit can turn even the toughest journeys into inspiring victories.