Aditya started his adventure at the CMS Lucknow branch in Aliganj, where he excelled academically and earned an amazing 95% on his Class 12 examinations. He eventually enrolled in the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) as a result of his academic endeavors. There, he excelled in earning both a dual B.Tech and M.Tech degree.

Aditya made a brief foray into the corporate sector after graduating from IIT, landing a job with Goldman Sachs for a period of 15 months. But this was more than a job for him; it was a stepping stone that helped him discover what his real calling was. Aditya made the decision to change his course and be ready for the Civil Services after realizing that monetary gain was not his ultimate goal. He made this choice because he wanted to work at the grassroots level and make a significant contribution to society.

Aditya revealed in a YouTube interview that his first priority was financial security, which brought him to the corporate world. Over time, though, his viewpoint changed as he looked for a more significant method to change things. A career in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) offered him to contribute positively to the system and help him to work within the framework of governance.

Aditya’s journey to the top of the UPSC rankings is a story of perseverance. He was previously rated 236th in the 2022 UPSC CSE and was already receiving IPS training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. However, his dogged attitude and the everlasting support of his family-particularly his father, Ajay Srivastava, an assistant audit officer at the Comptroller and Auditor General of India- inspired him to aspire further and win the top position in his subsequent attempt.

In his exam, he scored 899 in the written test, and 200 in the personality test with a total of 1099 marks. Aditya Srivastava’s story is more than just academic and professional accomplishment; it is about discovering one’s genuine purpose and relentlessly pursuing it. His approach and accomplishments serve as an encouraging beacon for many ambitious civil workers in India.

Journey to UPSC-

• After graduation from IIT Kanpur, Aditya began his work at Goldman Sachs in Bangalore. However, after 15 months of working in the private sector, he opted to join the civil service, inspired by a desire to serve his country. He resigned his high-paying work and moved back to his village to pursue his IAS goals.

UPSC Attempts-

• This was Aditya Srivastava’s third try at the IAS test. In his first attempt in 2021, he failed to pass the UPSC preliminary examination. In his second attempt in 2022, he passed the exam with AIR 236, obtaining a job in the Indian Police Service. With renewed vigor and conviction, Srivastava made his third effort in 2023, and the rest is history.