Success is inevitable for those who keep faith in themselves and persevere in the face of adversities. If you are someone aspiring to join the civil services, it is crucial to set clear goals from the outset. Siddharth Srivastava embarked on his UPSC journey some 7 years ago and could only achieve success in his sixth and final attempt. He highlights the importance of perseverance and overcoming challenges by refusing to give up. Siddharth secured the 118th rank in the UPSC CSE 2023 exam.

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Family’s support

Amidst the challenges, Siddharth Srivastava received immense support from his parents, sister, and friends. They would help him navigate through phases of frustration and disappointment. Instead of blaming external factors, he would always introspect to understand the shortcomings. 

Furthermore, he shares that regular meditation and exercise were integral parts of his routine. A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind. 

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Having a Plan B

Siddharth believes that having a Plan B is also important in UPSC preparation. While pursuing UPSC, he also appeared for the UPPSC exams, securing positions as Excise Inspector and Naib Tehsildar. Since he wanted to make it big, he kept preparing for UPSC. He shares that if he hadn’t succeeded in his last attempt at UPSC, he was prepared to explore options like GMAT or CAT exams. 

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Education

Siddharth Srivastava completed his higher education from IIT BHU in 2017. He even received a job opportunity from Maruti Suzuki; however, he had different aspirations. He began preparing for competitive exams, and despite facing numerous failures, he remained resilient. His dedication helped him achieve all his dreams. 

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UPSC dreams

Siddharth could not clear the Mains exam in his second and third attempt. He learned from his mistakes, continued working hard, but faced incredible disappointment when he failed to clear the prelims in fourth try. This period was exceptionally challenging. Refusing to succumb to setbacks, he decided to prove himself. When he secured the position of Naib Tehsildar through UPPSC, he found a way to navigate through that difficult phase. 

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