Everything you need to know about UPSC Topper Divyank Gupta – AIR 21
- Name: Divyank Gupta
- Hometown/City: Kanpur
- Roll Number: 859649
- Year of Appearance: 2024
- Attempts: Fourth
- Optional subject: Mathematics
- Education: BTech. in chemical engineering (IIT Kanpur)
Divyank Gupta, an IPS officer currently posted in the West Bengal cadre, cleared the civil services with an All India Rank of 21 in his fourth attempt.
Divyank Gupta’s Family Background
Divyank Gupta was born and raised in Kanpur. His family consists of his parents and his brother. His father runs a general store, while his mother is a homemaker.
Divyank Gupta’s Educational Background
After completing his schooling, Divyank joined IIT Kanpur to pursue his B.Tech in chemical engineering. He was an active participant in the college’s Entrepreneurship Club. He graduated from IIT Kanpur in December 2019 and immediately started preparing for the Civil Services Examination.
Divyank Gupta’s Work Experience
Divyank Gupta served as the senior executive of the IIT Kanpur Entrepreneurship Cell from March 2017 to April 2018. He also served as a company coordinator in the Student Placement Office for one and a half years. Additionally, he was the secretary of Antaragni, one of the largest college cultural festivals in India. Divyank chose not to participate in campus placements, instead opting to prepare for the Civil Services Examination.
After graduating in 2019, he began his UPSC preparation. He cleared the exam in 2022 with an All India Rank of 357 and was allocated to the Indian Police Service (IPS). He is currently serving as an IPS officer after completing his training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. Divyank is posted in the West Bengal cadre.
Divyank Gupta’s UPSC Journey
Divyank’s UPSC journey began right after the completion of his bachelor’s degree from IIT Kanpur. He let go of various lucrative placement offers to prepare for the UPSC examination. His first attempt was in 2020. Divyank managed to reach the interview stage in his first attempt but failed to make it to the final list. His second attempt in 2021 did not go well, as he failed to clear the prelims. In his third attempt in 2023, he successfully cleared the UPSC exam for the first time with an All India Rank of 357, leading to his selection into the Indian Police Service (IPS).
Divyank decided to appear for the UPSC exam again in his fourth attempt while undergoing IPS training in Hyderabad. His goal for the fourth attempt was to improve his rank and secure a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). One of the major reasons for this was his belief that policing primarily deals with reactive solutions, while the IAS allows for proactive solutions at the grassroots level. Divyank secured an incredible 21st rank in his fourth attempt, achieving his dream of becoming an IAS officer.
Divyank Gupta’s Preparation Strategy
Divyank Gupta exemplified hard work in his UPSC preparation. He made headlines in 2023 when he cleared the UPSC examination with an All India Rank of 357. To prepare, he solved more than 10,000 questions, attended various test series, and participated in 80 mock interviews during his third attempt.
He prepared for his fourth attempt while working full-time as an IPS officer. Divyank practiced numerous previous year questions and attended mock tests to continually improve. He focused heavily on practicing answer writing to enhance his writing and presentation skills. In addition, he regularly followed national and international developments. Consistent revision was also a key part of Divyank’s preparation strategy.
Divyank Gupta’s Interests and Hobbies
Beyond academics, Divyank enjoys reading non-fiction, particularly books on governance, history, and psychology. He also loves mentoring UPSC aspirants through webinars and one-on-one sessions. Playing chess is one of his favorite hobbies, as he believes it sharpens strategic thinking, a skill crucial for the UPSC examination.
Divyank Gupta’s Optional Paper
Coming from an engineering background, Divyank chose Mathematics as his optional subject.
Read more about UPSC AIR 1 (2024) Shakti Dubey and UPSC AIR 2 (2024) Harshita Goyal and other UPSE Toppers 2024
