Saharanpur: Siddharth Gupta embarked on his civil services journey in the year 2018. He appeared for the UPSC exams a total of three times but could not achieve the desired results. In 2022, he shifted his focus to UPPSC and became a Naib Tehsildar in his first attempt. Siddharth accomplished his dreams by clearing the UPPSC 2023 with an impressive first rank. 

Positive side of social media

Siddharth Gupta found social media to be helpful. He gained valuable information from YouTube channels and government social media pages. There are plenty of experienced YouTubers who provide revision notes to study from. However, Siddharth also emphasizes the importance of avoiding social media addiction.

Interview jitters

Siddharth Gupta shares his experience of the interview rounds. He experienced stress and anxiety during his first UPPSC interview, due to which he was unable to perform well. However, during his second interview for UPPSC 2023, he felt more confident and was able to present himself effectively. 

Some questions that were asked from Siddharth Gupta during the interview are as follows:

Ques- You are working as a Naib Tehsildar. How would you prevent corruption in your district?

 Ans- I would implement timely disposal of files. Maintaining a good image is important to encourage the subordinates to work ethically. I would emphasize the importance of avoiding misconduct and preventing others from engaging in such practices. 

Ques- What is integrity according to you? Give us an example of integrity.

An example from my life where I demonstrated integrity was when I was riding my bike at a traffic light. There was no policeman present, and I could have crossed the red signal without being fined, but I chose to wait. I followed traffic rules even when no was watching, and this shows my commitment to integrity. 

The preparation

Siddharth Gupta mentioned that during the interview, he was asked about the movie ‘Shershaah.’ He recalled being asked about the last books he read in previous UPPSC and UPSC interviews. Throughout his preparation, he dedicated time to reading both Hindi and English newspapers. He kept himself updated with the latest news and formed his own opinions regarding different information he gained. 

Important points to remember according to Siddharth Gupta

#1 Develop a habit of regular reading.
#2 Maintain a balance between hard work and smart work. 
#3 Avoid distractions and stay focused on your goals.
#4 Talk to your family and friends, and maintain a good social life. 
#5 Surround yourself with like-minded people.