From Investment Banking to Civil Services: Aditya Srivastava’s Remarkable Journey to UPSC Top Rank

Aditya Srivastava, a native of Lucknow, has achieved the remarkable feat of securing the top rank in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services mains examination 2023.

After graduating from IIT Kanpur with a degree in electrical engineering, Srivastava embarked on his professional journey with a role at Goldman Sachs, one of the premier investment banks, based in Bengaluru in 2019.

Driven by a strong aspiration to serve the nation through the civil services, Srivastava took the courageous decision to leave his high-paying job at Goldman Sachs after 15 months and return to his hometown.

Preparation for the UPSC exams was no easy task for Srivastava. He adopted a strategic approach focusing on previous years’ questions, mock tests, and interviews to enhance his readiness.

Despite facing challenges, including a setback during the preliminary stage in 2021, Srivastava persisted in his efforts to achieve his dream. The failures he encountered taught him valuable lessons that he carried forward in his subsequent attempts.

In 2022, Srivastava secured the 236th rank in his second attempt. Undeterred, he applied again in 2023 and clinched the coveted top rank, solidifying his dedication and commitment to public service.

The top rank in the UPSC exam paves the way for Srivastava and other successful candidates to assume pivotal positions in various government services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Service, and Central Services Group A and Group B.