The UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of India’s most difficult and prestigious exams, which attracts millions of candidates each year, but only a few manage to reach the highest echelons of public service. IAS Abhishek Vashishtha is one such individual, exemplifying educational excellence and an unwavering spirit of service to the nation.
About IAS Abhishek Vashishtha
Abhishek Vashishtha is originally from Delhi. After completing his schooling, he earned a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Ambedkar Institute of Advanced Communication Technologies and Research (AIACTR), Delhi.
After graduating, Abhishek developed an interest in Political Science and pursued a Master’s degree in the subject. Following his post-graduation, he cleared the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and National Eligibility Test (NET) exams, earning a research fellowship in Political Science.
UPSC Journey and Career Choices
After graduation, Abhishek decided to serve the nation and began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2017. During this period, he also received a lucrative job offer from an MNC. However, driven by his desire to serve the country, he chose UPSC preparation over a corporate career.
Abhishek’s UPSC Hat-Trick
Abhishek cleared the UPSC examination in his third attempt in 2020, securing a position in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). However, he aspired for more and appeared again in 2022, when he was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS).
In 2025, Abhishek made his fifth attempt at the UPSC and performed even better, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 14. With this achievement, he was selected for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
UPSC Preparation Tips for Aspirants
To help fellow aspirants, Abhishek advises candidates to focus primarily on NCERT books and gain a thorough understanding of the UPSC syllabus. He emphasizes the importance of choosing reliable study sources, reading newspapers daily for current affairs, and practising answer writing regularly.
Do Not Let Failures Define You
Abhishek’s journey was not easy. In his first UPSC attempt in 2018, he failed to clear the prelims. In his second attempt, he missed qualifying for the mains by just one mark. Despite facing consecutive failures, he did not give up and continued preparing with determination, ultimately achieving his goal.
