Doing well in competitive exams does not come without hurdles, and Shashank Gaurav from Bihar’s Chhapra district is a testament to that. After facing repeated disappointments in both the UPSC Civil Services Examination and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), she refused to give up on her dream. His hard work paid off when he secured an All India Rank 2 in the recent BPSC examination, turning years of hardship into a remarkable success.Dream inspiration for collegeShashank Gaurav belongs to Panchmahala Sahajitpur Panchayat in Bihar’s Baniyapur block. He completed his BSc (Honours) 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 attitude changed during his college years when he interacted with several IAS and IPS officers on academic activities. These conversations led him to realize that public sector organizations offer the opportunity to make a big difference to people, encouraging him to continue the work.
A long road marked by failures
However, the journey was very difficult.Before passing BPSC, Shashank appeared in UPSC Civil Services Examination four times. While he made it to the Mains stage in the next attempt, he was unable to clear the exam completely. He also qualified the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant exam, getting AIR 57, but could not clear the physical test.His BPSC journey also started with disappointments. He took his first test as a study without much preparation. In his second attempt, despite his hard work, he narrowly missed qualifying the Preliminary examination by a few marks.Instead of giving up, he examined his mistakes and prepared to try again with a more thoughtful approach.
The third attempt results in Rank 2
Shashank’s hard work paid off in his third BPSC attempt.He successfully cleared the first stages, Mains and Interview, getting Rank 2 in the exam.According to reports, his main preparations began after September 2023, and in 2024 and 2025, he fully devoted himself to his studies.
A well-planned process
Shashank believes that the preliminary examination is the most difficult part as it weeds out most of the applicants. Hence, he took the necessary time to master the syllabus and revise it again and again.His daily routine is said to have involved eight to nine hours of reading, starting around 9 am. Instead of continuing to study for a long time, he divided his schedule into three or four parts, went for a walk in the evening to refresh himself and started studying again at night.According to him, studying in short, short periods of time helps to improve concentration and maintain mental and physical health.
Family support in difficult times
Repeated failures naturally lead to moments of self-doubt. After unsuccessful attempts at UPSC and BPSC, Shashank questioned whether he was fit for the highly competitive exam.During this difficult time, he credits his father and older brother for standing by him, encouraging him to keep going even though he faced repeated obstacles.Their support, along with constant efforts, helped him stay motivated until he achieved success.
A lesson in perseverance
Shashank Gaurav’s journey shows that success in competitive exams often requires patience, persistence and a willingness to learn from failure. His rise from several unsuccessful attempts to secure BPSC Rank 2 serves as an inspiring reminder that determination and smart planning can turn obstacles into success.