Inspirational Story: "If I have learned one thing from this journey, it is that UPSC is about balance. Knowledge, strategy, and mindset - everything matters. You have to be patient, but a smart approach is also essential." - IPS Rishabh Bhatt. These words define IPS Rishabh Bhatt's path to success. This UPSC journey is not just a story of passing an exam, but also an example of struggle, failure, patience, and determination. To succeed in this biggest exam of the country, he considered Plan B a distraction and focused entirely on Plan A1.

Journey from Village to Becoming an IPS Officer
Coming from a small village in Bhadohi district near Varanasi, Rishabh dreamed of joining the administrative service since childhood. His parents often showed him the convoys of district officers and told him about their responsibilities, which created a deep inspiration for administrative services in his mind.

IPS Rishabh Bhatt's Father Was a Teacher in a Private School
His father was a teacher in a private school and always prioritized education. Rishabh's academic performance was excellent from the beginning, and he enrolled in Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT) in Bhopal for Mechanical Engineering. But his real dream was to become an administrative officer by passing the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

The Difficult Path of UPSC and Initial Failures
The UPSC exam was not easy. He could not pass the preliminary exam in the first two attempts. Rishabh Bhatt says, "I was very confident and thought that knowledge would be enough. But for UPSC, a smart strategy and understanding the exam pattern are equally important." In his third attempt, he completely changed his approach and deeply understood the UPSC exam pattern.

Rishabh Bhatt's UPSC Strategy: Key to Success

  • Rishabh stated that he deeply analyzed the previous years' question papers (PYQ).
  • Instead of reading many sources, he repeatedly read fewer sources.
  • He set weekly goals and adopted a flexible approach instead of a strict routine.
  • He used diagrams, data, and analysis to improve answer writing in the Mains exam.
  • He adopted maturity and a balanced approach in the interview.

Decision to Self-Study and Not Adopt Plan B
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rishabh could not join any coaching institute. But he considered it an opportunity and focused on self-study. He says, "If you start thinking about Plan B too soon, it can weaken your focus." Rishabh chose Plan A1 instead of Plan B – i.e., alternative options like the state PCS exam, which were related to administrative services.

Dream of Becoming an IPS Officer Fulfilled in the Third Attempt
In 2024, in his third attempt, Rishabh secured AIR 363 in the UPSC exam and was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS). Now, as an IPS officer, Rishabh dreams of bringing about a big change in the administrative service.

Rishabh Bhatt's Learning for UPSC - Important Tips

  • UPSC is not just about studying, it is a strategic exam.
  • Set weekly goals instead of a strict routine.
  • Revise repeatedly instead of reading many sources.
  • Study the previous years' questions (PYQ) in depth.
  • Focus on Plan A1 instead of Plan B.

Right Strategy with Dedicated Goal Will Lead to Success: IPS Rishabh Bhatt
IPS Rishabh Bhatt's story is not just about success, but about patience, struggle, and the right strategy. It is an inspiration for all UPSC candidates who are facing difficulties. According to IPS Rishabh Bhatt, "If you are dedicated to your goal and adopt the right strategy, success is certain."