Daijiworld Media Network - Haryana
Bahadurgarh, July 28: At just 24, Shaurya Arora from Bahadurgarh has cracked the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 14 in his second attempt. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay (2022 batch), Shaurya chose to walk away from conventional career paths to pursue a calling rooted in public service.
“My goal has always been to create real impact where it matters most — at the grassroots level,” he says. From 1993 to 1997, his father Bhushan Arora had appeared for UPSC exams four times but could not clear the prelims. Nearly two decades later, a proud son Shaurya Arora cleared the prelims and mains followed by the interview in his second attempt in the year 2024 and got 14th rank in the UPSC exams. For Shaurya, it wasn’t the shadow of his father’s four unsuccessful UPSC attempts that inspired him, but rather a personal conviction in the potential of civil services to reach and empower the most underserved populations. “Implementing schemes on the ground and directly helping people — that’s a kind of satisfaction few professions can offer,” he adds.
Shaurya Arora with his father Bhushan Arora
From failure to AIR-14: Learning from missteps
Shaurya’s journey wasn’t without obstacles. In his first attempt, he couldn’t clear the prelims. “I didn’t give enough importance to previous years’ papers,” he admits. That setback, however, became his turning point. Armed with lessons from failure, he reworked his approach: focused resources, multiple revisions, and extensive practice with past UPSC questions.
He also stresses the importance of a disciplined mindset. “You need to be consistent and focused — this exam isn’t just about knowledge, but about strategy,” he says.
Physics optional: A blend of passion and precision
Choosing Physics as his optional subject was a natural decision for Shaurya. “It’s a subject I’ve loved since school. I had an aptitude for it, and I believed it would play to my strengths,” he shares. Despite being considered a demanding optional, Physics proved rewarding for him, given his academic background and analytical abilities.
Preparation strategy: Smart work and steady focus
For fellow aspirants, Shaurya highlights a mix of rigorous content preparation and sharp time management. He insists that mock tests should be used as learning tools, not just scorecards. “Don’t chase marks. Instead, focus on improving your content, speed, and clarity,” he advises.
He credits the Sunya GS Mains books for significantly shaping his answer-writing skills. For the interview stage, Shaurya left no stone unturned—appearing for 18 mock interviews and refining his performance with every round. “Preparing your DAF thoroughly and practising interviews regularly makes a big difference,” he says.
Family support and balance
Shaurya attributes a large part of his success to his family’s unwavering support. “After failing prelims the first time, it was my parents who kept me grounded and hopeful,” he recalls. He also made conscious efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle and spend quality time with family—something he feels is often overlooked during UPSC preparation.
Staying grounded: Clarity and commitment
Shaurya entered the UPSC journey with a clear plan — to give three focused attempts. “If it didn’t work out, I was ready to pivot, perhaps even start something on my own,” he shares. But giving it his all in those three attempts was non-negotiable.
He leaves aspirants with a grounded yet powerful message: “UPSC is a long and demanding process. You must not only work hard but also work smart. Understand the exam's demand, minimize distractions, and give it your full focus.”
With a rank among the top 20 in the country and a vision driven by purpose rather than prestige, Shaurya Arora’s story stands out as one of determination, reflection, and a deep-rooted commitment to meaningful service.