Srishti Dabas IAS/UPSC 2023-24 Rank-6

Srishti Dabas secured the All India Rank 6 in her first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023. A native of Rani Khera, North West Delhi, Srishti has an academic background in Political Science, completing both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the subject. Prior to her success in the UPSC, she was working as a Grade B officer in the Human Resource Department at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Srishti's journey into civil services was driven by a deep desire to make a difference in society, particularly through social justice and rural development. Her preparation was primarily self-driven, even as she managed her job responsibilities at the RBI.

• Srishti completed her schooling from Ganga International School, Delhi where she excelled academically, achieving 10 CGPA in her 10th grade and 96.33% in her 12th grade. She pursued higher education in Political Science from Indraprastha College for women obtaining a Bachelor's and Master's degree in the subject. Her strong academic foundation helped her build a solid understanding of governance and public administration, making it a fitting choice for her UPSC optional subject.

• Srishti comes from a humble background, with her father working as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in the Delhi Police, and her mother being a homemaker. Her family provided her the moral and emotional support she needed during her preparation. Despite her parents' separation, her mother remained her primary source of motivation.

• Srishti’s interest in civil services was deeply rooted in her desire to contribute to society. Growing up in a semi-rural setting, she was acutely aware of the disparities in education and social justice. Her exposure to civil service stories and her work at the Ministry of Social Justice prior to joining the RBI strengthened her resolve to work at the grassroots level, focusing on marginalized communities. Her ultimate goal is to bring about positive changes in the areas of social justice, sustainable development, and rural education.

Srishti’s journey was far from easy. Balancing a demanding job at the RBI and her UPSC preparation required immense time management. Her work required long hours, so she studied mostly at night and on weekends. The mental pressure of maintaining focus while working was significant, but she remained determined. She also found comfort and rejuvenation in practicing Kathak, her passion, which helped her manage stress during her preparation.

For Prelims:
Srishti began her preparation in mid-2022 and focused on both static and dynamic portions of the syllabus. She made sure to cover all subjects comprehensively while regularly revising. She placed special emphasis on solving previous year’s question papers to become familiar with the exam pattern.

For Mains:
She adopted a balanced approach for Mains preparation, dividing her time between General Studies and her optional subject, Political Science. She followed a rigorous schedule that included writing practice, with daily answer writing being a priority. Regular self-assessment through mock tests and continuous revision were key to her success.

For Interview:
Srishti prepared for the interview by focusing on current affairs and brushing up on her academic knowledge. Having worked at RBI, she was already well-versed in governance and public policy. She prepared to face personality-based questions and practiced mock interviews, but ensured that her responses remained natural and authentic during the real interview.