UPSC topper Shakti Dubey shares her inspiring journey on UP Police podcast | Lucknow News

Lucknow: The 15th episode of the Uttar Pradesh Police’s official podcast series ‘Beyond the Badge’ features a heartfelt and inspiring conversation between assistant commissioner of police Neha Tripathi and UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 topper Shakti Dubey, along with her father, sub-inspector Devendra Dubey. Shakti, who secured All-India Rank 1 in one of the country’s most prestigious competitive exams, comes from a humble Uttar Pradesh Police family. Launched in Jan 2025 under the direction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, ‘Beyond the Badge’ aims to highlight the achievements, human stories, and exceptional contributions of Uttar Pradesh Police personnel and their families. The latest episode celebrates the remarkable success of Shakti Dubey, who brought national recognition to the state and the police fraternity through her perseverance and grit. During the episode, Shakti’s father, Devendra Dubey, emotionally recounted the family’s struggles and their unwavering belief in her potential. “We never had computers or printers at home,” he shared. “But whenever she needed printouts for her study material, I would get them from a shop to make sure her studies were not hampered. When she couldn’t clear the exam in her fourth attempt despite reaching the interview stage, she was heartbroken. But the entire family, especially her brother, encouraged her to try once more—and with God’s grace, she succeeded.” Speaking candidly, Shakti revealed that 2024 marked her fifth attempt at the UPSC exam. “There were many times I felt like giving up. I even considered choosing another career path,” she admitted. “But it was my mother who constantly reminded me why I wanted this job. Her words reignited my motivation each time I stumbled.” Giving practical advice to UPSC aspirants, she said, “Do your homework before jumping into UPSC prep. Understand the syllabus thoroughly—what to read, how much to read, and which books to rely on. Also, analyse how much weightage is given to the mains and interview, and align your priorities accordingly. NCERT books and previous years’ question papers are vital resources.” Importantly, Shakti urged aspirants to always have a backup plan. “Only about one percent of candidates succeed in UPSC. The rest don’t. So always have a second career option in mind. That way, failure won’t break you—you can still move ahead in life with clarity and confidence,” she added. The episode also explores other aspects of Shakti’s journey, including how she stayed motivated after repeated failures, her optional subjects, her emotional state on result day, and the values she hopes to bring into her role as a civil servant.