Shakti Dubey Shakti Dubey UPSC AIR 1 2024: Biography, Education, Strategies and More

Shakti Dubey Shakti Dubey UPSC AIR 1 2024: Biography, Education, Strategies and More

By 99Notes

Shakti Dubey Tops UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 1

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has declared the Civil Services Examination 2024 final result, and Shakti Dubey from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has topped the list with All India Rank 1 (AIR 1). Her remarkable journey from a science background to becoming India’s top civil services aspirant is an inspiring tale of resilience, strategic thinking, and focused effort.

Overview Table of Shakti Dubey UPSC AIR 1 2024:

Attribute

Details

Name

Shakti Dubey

Hometown

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

AIR

Rank 1 (UPSC CSE 2024)

Educational Background

M.Sc. Biochemistry from BHU, Varanasi

Undergraduate

Completed in Prayagraj

Optional Subject

PSIR (Political Science & International Relations)

UPSC Attempt

3rd Attempt

Preferred Service

Indian Administrative Service (IAS)

Medium of Education

Not Specified

Educational Background:

How Shakti Dubey’s Academic Journey Led Her to the Top of UPSC CSE 2024:

Stage

Details

Place of Birth & Early Life

Born and raised in Prayagraj

Schooling

Completed early education in Prayagraj

Undergraduate Degree

Pursued locally in Prayagraj

Postgraduate Degree

M.Sc. in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi

Career Transition

Shifted from science background to public administration preparation

UPSC Journey and Selection Process:

The UPSC CSE 2024 selection process involved:

  • Written Exam: September 2024

  • Personality Test (Interview): January–April 2025

  • Final Result: Declared in April 2025

Among the 1009 candidates recommended, Shakti topped the list and is expected to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Cracking the Optional – Shakti Dubey UPSC AIR 1 2024

Shakti Dubey’s journey with the optional subject had its challenges:

Attempt

Optional Subject

Outcome

1st

None

No focused prep

2nd

Anthropology

Low interest, poor performance

3rd

PSIR (2023)

231 marks, notes-heavy approach

4th

PSIR (2024)

Strategic improvement, success

In 2024, she refined her approach:

  • Updated notes with current events integration

  • Created one-pagers for major thinkers like Plato

  • Identified repeated themes from previous year questions

These changes significantly boosted her performance in Political Science and International Relations.

Shakti’s Advice to Future UPSC Aspirants:

Advice

Description

Stick to Limited, Reliable Resources

Avoid accumulating too many books. Instead, choose a few trusted materials and revise them thoroughly for better retention.

Let Syllabus and PYQs Guide You

Use the UPSC syllabus and previous year questions (PYQs) as your roadmap to understand what and how much to study.

Build a Strong NCERT Foundation

Master NCERTs from Classes 9 to 12 through multiple revisions as they form the core of conceptual understanding.

Avoid New Topics in the Final Phase

In the last month before the exam, focus solely on revising known content rather than exploring new topics.

Take Mock Tests Cautiously

Attempt a few full-length mocks in the first 15 days to assess readiness, but avoid mocks in the last 10 days to maintain confidence.

Conclusion:

Shakti Dubey’s journey from a biochemistry postgraduate to UPSC AIR 1 is a story of persistence, smart planning, and adaptability. She overcame early setbacks, refined her strategy, and maximized output from limited resources. Her success shows that background is no barrier—with the right mindset and consistent effort, the UPSC dream is achievable.