Ishita Kishore (Rank 1, 2023) – UPSC Civil Services Exam Topper

Ishita Kishore (Rank 1, 2023) – UPSC Civil Services Exam Topper

Ishita Kishore made headlines in 2023 by securing Rank 1 in the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, one of the toughest competitive exams in India. This achievement places her at the forefront of future civil servants, making her an inspiration for millions of aspiring candidates across the country. Here’s a deeper look into her journey, background, and preparation strategies that led her to this incredible feat.

1. Background and Early Life

• Hometown: Ishita Kishore hails from Bihar, a state known for producing top civil servants in India. She spent most of her childhood in Patna.
• Education: Ishita holds an undergraduate degree in Economics (Hons.) from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University. Her academic background in economics provided her a strong foundation, which she later utilized during her UPSC preparation.
• Professional Background: Before diving into UPSC preparation, she worked for a multinational company, Ernst & Young (EY). Her experience in corporate life gave her the discipline and organizational skills that played a crucial role in her study routine.

2. UPSC Journey

• Motivation: Ishita’s motivation to become a civil servant stemmed from her desire to serve society and contribute to nation-building. She believed that joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) would provide her a platform to make a significant impact on the lives of people.
• Preparation Strategy:
• Self-Discipline: Ishita emphasized the importance of self-discipline and maintaining a structured daily routine. Consistency, she says, was key to her success.
• Subject Choices: Her optional subject in the UPSC Mains examination was Political Science and International Relations (PSIR), which aligns well with her interest in governance, policy, and international affairs.
• Time Management: She balanced both her general studies and optional subject preparation efficiently by setting clear, achievable daily and weekly goals.
• Mock Tests and Practice: Regularly appearing for mock tests helped her gauge her preparation levels, improve answer-writing skills, and develop a time management strategy for the actual exam.
• Focus on Revision: Instead of accumulating vast resources, Ishita focused on revising limited but high-quality materials, which made her preparation sharper and more refined.

3. Challenges Faced

Like many other UPSC aspirants, Ishita faced her share of challenges:

• Pressure of Expectations: Coming from a strong academic and professional background, she felt the pressure to perform well, but she stayed focused on the process rather than the outcome.
• Dealing with Failure: This was not her first attempt at the exam. In her initial attempts, she could not clear the Prelims, which is the first stage of the three-stage UPSC process. However, her persistence and determination to overcome failure helped her push through and finally achieve the top rank.

4. Key Takeaways from Her Journey

• Perseverance Pays Off: Ishita’s success story is a testament to the power of perseverance. Despite facing setbacks, she stayed committed to her goal.
• Smart Work Over Hard Work: While hard work is essential, Ishita stressed the importance of smart work, which includes strategic planning, focusing on high-yield areas of the syllabus, and practicing answer-writing.
• Mental and Physical Health: She also emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between study and relaxation, ensuring her mental and physical health were in good shape throughout the preparation process.

5. Inspiration for Aspirants

• Message to Aspirants: Ishita Kishore has often mentioned in interviews that one of the key factors in succeeding at UPSC is not just intelligence, but resilience. Her journey inspires aspirants to stay patient, stay focused, and never give up, no matter how challenging the journey may seem.
• Balanced Approach: She advocates for a well-balanced preparation strategy that includes both conceptual understanding and practical application in the form of answer writing and mock tests.

Ishita Kishore’s UPSC journey is a story of grit, determination, and unwavering focus. She stands as a role model for future aspirants, proving that with the right strategy, mindset, and perseverance, even the most challenging goals can be achieved.