Success in competitive exams rarely comes without setbacks, and Shashank Gaurav from Bihar’s Chhapra district is a testament to that reality. After facing repeated disappointments in both the UPSC and Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exams, she refused to give up on her dream. His persistence finally paid off when he secured All India Rank 2 in the latest BPSC exam, turning years of struggle into a remarkable achievement.A dream inspired during collegeShashank Gaurav belongs to Panchmahala Sahajitpur Panchayat in Baniyapur block of Bihar. He completed his BA (Hons) in Zoology from Ramjas College, University of Delhi.Interestingly, becoming a civil servant was not part of his childhood ambitions. According to media reports, his outlook changed during his college years when he interacted with various IAS and IPS officers at academic events. Those conversations made him realize that the civil services offered an opportunity to create meaningful change in society, inspiring him to pursue the career.
A long road marked by failures
The journey, however, was not easy at all.Before his success in BPSC, Shashank appeared four times in the UPSC civil services examination. Although he made it to the main stage in a few attempts, he couldn’t clear the exam completely. He also qualified for the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant exam, securing AIR 57, but failed to clear the physical test.His BPSC journey also started with disappointment. He treated his first attempt as a learning experience without much preparation. In his second attempt, despite working hard, he narrowly missed qualifying for the preliminary exam by a few points.Instead of giving up, he analyzed his mistakes and prepared for another attempt with a renewed focus.
The third attempt brings rank 2
Shashank’s persistence paid off in his third BPSC attempt.He successfully cleared the Preliminary, Main and Interview stages, securing rank 2 in the examination.According to reports, his focused preparation began from September 2023, and throughout 2024 and 2025 he was completely devoted to his studies.
A disciplined preparation strategy
Shashank believes that the preliminary exam is the most difficult stage because it eliminates the largest number of candidates. As a result, he spent significant time mastering the syllabus and revising it repeatedly.According to reports, his daily routine involved studying for eight to nine hours, starting around 9 am. Instead of studying continuously for long periods, he divided his schedule into three or four study sessions, took a night walk to refresh himself, and resumed studying later at night.According to him, studying in shorter, more focused intervals helps improve concentration while maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Family support in difficult times
Repeated failures naturally led to moments of doubt. After unsuccessful attempts at UPSC and BPSC, Shashank wondered if he was fit for the highly competitive exams.During these difficult phases, he credits his father and older brother for standing by him, encouraging him to continue despite repeated setbacks.Their support, combined with constant effort, helped him stay motivated until he achieved success.
A lesson in resilience
Shashank Gaurav’s journey shows that success in competitions often requires patience, persistence and the willingness to learn from failure. Her rise from multiple unsuccessful attempts to achieve BPSC Rank 2 serves as an inspiring reminder that determination and disciplined preparation can turn setbacks into success.