In a quiet lane of Raebareli, where dreams are often shelved behind survival, a modest bookshop became the epicenter of celebration on April 22, 2025. The reason? Shivam Singh — once the shopkeeper’s son, now an IRS officer — had cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 with an impressive All India Rank of 73. But more than a personal achievement, this moment marked the culmination of a shared dream between a determined son and a relentlessly supportive father.
Humble Beginnings, High Aspirations
Until 2017, Shivam considered himself average — not a topper, not a prodigy. But what he lacked in early accolades, he made up for in ambition. Fuelled by the daily grind of watching his father run a small bookstore and inspired by a sense of purpose, Shivam took the road less traveled — one paved with rejections, revision, and relentless self-discipline.
His journey into the civil services began during his final years at IIT. Despite multiple setbacks, he kept moving forward — one failure after another, but never quitting.
Six Attempts, One Dream
2019: Failed prelims
2020: Failed prelims again
2021: Cleared prelims, failed mains
2022: Another prelims failure
2023: Breakthrough with AIR-877, selected as IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes)
2024: The dream realized — AIR-73, IAS secured
Even while serving as an IRS officer and earlier as a Deputy Collector in Gorakhpur (through UPPCS-2019), Shivam never let go of his goal. In December 2024, he took the bold step of resigning from UPPCS to fully pursue his UPSC dream.
Faith, Family & Focus
Behind Shivam’s success lies the quiet strength of his family, particularly his father, who invested more than just money into his son’s future — he invested belief. Every failed attempt was met with support rather than disappointment. It was this rock-solid foundation that allowed Shivam to keep going even when results were disheartening.
“My journey was not easy. I had to balance service responsibilities with preparation. But I always knew this was the goal, and I couldn’t give up,” Shivam shared.
Message for Aspirants
To future UPSC aspirants, Shivam offers one message: “You don’t need to be a genius. You just need clarity, consistency, and courage.” His story is a reminder that dreams aren’t reserved for the privileged or the perfect — they belong to the persistent.
From Average Student to IAS Officer
Shivam Singh’s transformation is the blueprint of grit — from failing multiple prelims to now entering India’s top administrative service. His victory is a testimony to what’s possible when vision meets willpower.
As the bookshop in Raebareli continues to sell knowledge, it now stands as a symbol of fulfilled dreams — where pages turned by a humble father helped write the incredible story of his son, the IAS officer.