“Beyond the Badge” Podcast Features UPSC 2024 Topper Shakti Dubey and Her Supportive Family

Lucknow: Under directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to highlight the Uttar Pradesh Police’s achievements via digital media, the state’s official podcast “Beyond the Badge” was launched in January 2025. In its 15th episode, the podcast showcased an extraordinary success story: Shakti Dubey, daughter of UP Police Sub-Inspector Devendra Dubey, who secured first rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination–2024.

During the broadcast, Sub-Inspector Dubey recounted the family’s unwavering support for Shakti’s ambitions. Despite lacking in-house digital resources—no computer, printer, or laptop—the Dubey household went to great lengths to facilitate her studies. “Whenever Shakti received syllabus materials electronically, I would have them printed at a local shop so she could study without interruption,” he explained. After three unsuccessful attempts at the UPSC interview stage, the family rallied around Shakti to encourage a fifth and final try, which ultimately led to her top-ranking success.

Shakti Dubey reflected on the emotional toll of successive setbacks. “There were moments when I thought about abandoning UPSC preparation altogether. But my mother constantly reminded me why I chose this path,” she shared. That maternal encouragement became her anchor, driving her to persevere through years of rigorous study and multiple failures before achieving her goal.

Offering guidance to future aspirants, Shakti emphasized the importance of structured home-prepared homework and a clear understanding of the UPSC syllabus. She advised candidates to define their reading priorities—which subjects to cover, how many books to consult, and the respective weightage of the preliminary, main, and interview stages. “Focus particularly on NCERT texts and previous years’ question papers—they provide invaluable insight,” she recommended.

Shakti also underscored the necessity of having a backup career plan, noting that only about 1% of applicants succeed each year. “Keeping a well-considered alternative option prevents despair in case of failure and helps you move forward,” she said.

The episode delves deeper into topics such as Shakti’s strategy for self-motivation after disappointments, her choice of optional subjects, and her mental state on results day. Listeners gain firsthand tips on balancing academic rigor with emotional resilience—an essential lesson for any competitive exam candidate.

By sharing both her triumphs and trials, Shakti Dubey’s story exemplifies the power of family support, strategic preparation, and perseverance. The UP Police’s “Beyond the Badge” podcast continues to serve as a platform not only for highlighting departmental achievements but also for inspiring broader public audiences with real-life success narratives.

Report by R.L.Pandey