For many, a Rs2.5 lakh per month job at Goldman Sachs is the ultimate dream. For Aditya Srivastav, it was just a chapter — not the story. Today, the IIT Kanpur graduate stands tall as the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 topper, securing All India Rank 1 after three determined attempts.
Born and raised in Lucknow, Aditya’s academic brilliance shone early. A student of City Montessori School, Aliganj branch, he scored an impressive 95% in Class 12 and cleared JEE Advanced in 2014, earning a coveted seat at IIT Kanpur. He didn’t stop there — after completing his BTech, he went on to earn an MTech degree, building a rock-solid academic foundation.
Goldman Sachs soon came calling, offering him a high-paying analyst role at its Bengaluru office. But just 18 months later, Aditya made a decision that would shock many — he resigned, choosing uncertainty over security, and began preparing for the Union Public Service Commission exam.
His first attempt in 2021 ended in disappointment when he couldn’t clear the prelims. But the setback only fueled his resolve. In 2022, his persistence paid off with AIR 136, earning him a place in the Indian Police Service. Still, Aditya knew his journey wasn’t complete.
In 2023, his third attempt brought the result he had dreamed of since his college days — AIR 1. “This has been a journey I’ll treasure forever. Heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood by me every step of the way. Dreams do come true,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
His message to aspirants is simple yet powerful: “One day, after years of hard work and struggles, it will hit you in the most beautiful way.”
Aditya’s journey is more than a success story — it’s a testament to courage, discipline, and the belief that some dreams are worth risking everything for.