UPSC Topper 2020 – Shubham Kumar IAS Rank 1, Optional Subject, Booklist
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 14th, 2023
UPSC Topper 2020: Shubham Kumar, an alumnus of IIT Bombay, achieved the first rank and was UPSC Topper 2020. He was a brilliant student since childhood and always performed well in his studies. Shubham was born in Kumheri village, Bihar, and his father works as a manager at Bank while his mother is a housewife. He also has an elder sister who is a scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Center. Shubham Kumar’s journey is a source of inspiration for those who get disheartened by their failures. He learned from his mistakes and never gave up until he achieved his goal.
On his third attempt, Shubham became the IAS topper. In his previous attempt in 2019, Shubham cleared the exam and secured a rank of 290. This rank earned him a selection in the Indian Defense Accounts Service. However, his first attempt in 2018 was unsuccessful. When he gave his third attempt in 2020, he was undergoing training at the National Academy of Defense Financial Management Institute in Pune. UPSC Topper 2020, Shubham Kumar, took Anthropology as his optional subject and worked very hard to secure the first position in the entire country.
Table of content
UPSC Topper 2020: Shubham Kumar
IAS Shubham Kumar from Bihar became the UPSC Topper 2020 with an impressive score of 1054. He has become a source of inspiration for all those who aspire to crack the civil services exam. Shubham Kumar had always dreamt of serving the underprivileged. He cleared the UPSC exam on his third attempt, but he had previously cleared this exam with a rank of 290 in 2019, which got him selected for the Indian Defence Accounts Service.
Shubham Kumar aims to work for poverty alleviation and the development of villages as an IAS officer. He wishes to work mainly in rural areas to bring change at the grassroots level. He believes that the IAS cadre will give him the best opportunity to work toward his dream. His determination and hard work have brought him success, and he is now an inspiration to others.
Shubham Kumar IAS Topper 2020 Background
Shubham Kumar, a citizen of Katihar in Bihar, became popular as well as inspirational after achieving first place in the Union Public Service Commission 2020 exam. He became an inspiration for millions of aspiring civil servants in the country. Check the overview of UPSC Topper 2020 below.
Family Background
Shubham Kumar hails from Bihar, and his father works in the bank as a manager, while his mother is a housewife. His elder sister, who supported him most throughout his journey, works as Scientist in BARC.
Education Background
Shubham Kumar completed his primary education in his village. He subsequently attended Vidya Vihar Residential School to finish high school. Thereafter, he moved to Jharkhand to complete his senior education at Chinmaya Vidyalaya. Shubham Kumar earned his BTech in Civil Engineering from IIT Mumbai.
Previous Job
The UPSC topper 2020, Shubham Kumar, worked in the United States as a researcher for about two years before resigning to pursue his dream of becoming an IAS officer.
Optional Subject
Shubham Kumar chose Anthropology as his optional subject for the UPSC examination, which constitutes the study of human beings related to all the factors such as history, culture, society, and more. This optional subject is assumed to be comparatively simple and easy to understand as per the experience of the last few years’ toppers.
Preparation Strategy
Shubham Kumar emphasized the importance of smart and focused preparation. He emphasized the need to not rely too heavily on coaching classes and instead focused on self-study. IAS Shubham Kumar also highlighted the significance of time management and making the most of every minute of the day.
Advice to Aspirants
Shubham Kumar suggested that aspirants should focus on the UPSC syllabus and prepare well for the optional subject. He also recommended aspirants to develop a balanced approach to preparation by focusing on both static and current affairs-related topics. Shubham Kumar also advised aspirants to stay motivated and stay true to their goals.
Family Background of 2020 UPSC Topper
IAS Shubham Kumar, who secured the All India Rank 1 in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2020, hails from the Katihar district in Bihar. Shubham Kumar’s father works as a Manager in a Bank in Katihar, Bihar. While his mother is a Housewife.
Growing up, Kumar was highly influenced by his parent’s dedication to education and their emphasis on the importance of hard work and discipline. His elder sister is a Scientist at BARC.
- During the course of his preparation, the UPSC topper 2020 received constant motivation and support from his family.
- They played an important role in his journey toward achieving his goals.
- His family members likely provided him with the necessary emotional and moral support, encouraging him to stay focused and motivated in his pursuit of success.
- Perhaps they helped him overcome obstacles, provided him with resources and guidance, or simply offered words of encouragement and praise.
Shubham Kumar IAS Topper 2020: Educational Background
The educational background of IAS Shubham Kumar is impressive, and it has provided him with a strong foundation for his career as an IAS officer. Shubham Kumar completed his primary and secondary education at Vidya Vihar Residential School in Purnia, where he was a bright student and consistently scored good grades. Then he moved to Jharkhand to complete his senior education at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Bokaro. After that, he enrolled in the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, one of the premier engineering institutes in the country. He pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Civil Engineering from 2013-2017.
In addition to his academic degrees, Kumar has also obtained various certifications in different areas. These certifications have helped him develop a well-rounded understanding of different fields, which can be useful in his role as a civil servant. IAS Shubham Kumar’s educational background reflects his strong academic credentials, as well as his passion for public service and making a positive impact on society. His achievements are a source of inspiration for many young students who aspire to serve the nation.
Marksheet of 2020 UPSC Topper
Shubham Kumar is an inspiration for all the civil service aspirants out there who dream of cracking the UPSC exam. He secured the first rank in the UPSC exam with a total of 1054 marks, making him a role model for others. Although he faced failure in his first attempt in 2018, he didn’t lose hope and analyzed his mistakes. He gave his second attempt in 2019 and secured the 290th rank, getting selected for the Indian Defense Accounts Service.
While training at the National Academy of Defense Financial Management Institute in Pune, he attempted the UPSC exam for the third time in 2020 and secured the first rank across India. His determination, hard work, and willingness to learn from his mistakes helped him achieve his goal. Candidates can check the IAS Shubham Kumar mark sheet in the table below.
| Papers | UPSC Topper 2020 Marks |
| General Studies Paper I | 115 |
| General Studies Paper II | 111 |
| General Studies Paper III | 92 |
| General Studies Paper IV | 106 |
| Essay | 134 |
| Optional Paper 1 | 170 |
| Optional Paper 2 | 150 |
| Interview | 176 |
| Total | 1054 |
Shubham Kumar IAS Optional Subject
IAS Shubham Kumar decided to choose Anthropology as his optional subject for the UPSC exam. He found the subject and syllabus very interesting and it was one of his core interests, which made him good at it. As a result, he also scored good marks in this subject.
It’s important for candidates to choose their optional subject wisely and not just go with what others consider easy or popular. It’s crucial to select a subject that aligns with their interests, strengths, and skills. This can help them perform better in the exam.
UPSC Preparation Strategy of Shubham Kumar
IAS Shubham Kumar’s success story is a testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication, and a well-planned strategy, anyone can achieve their dreams. His journey from a small town in Bihar to becoming the UPSC topper is an inspiration for millions of aspiring civil servants in the country. Shubham Kumar attributes his success to hard work, dedication, and a well-planned preparation strategy.
- He started his preparation by studying the NCERT books thoroughly and then moved on to more advanced books.
- He also regularly read newspapers, magazines, and online sources to stay updated on current affairs.
- He focused on practicing answer writing and took mock tests regularly to assess his progress.
- Shubham Kumar focused on building a strong foundation in his optional subject, Anthropology.
Shubham Kumar’s desire to work for the development of rural areas and his home state motivated him to become a civil servant. He saw the struggles of rural people from a young age, and that became his sole motivation to join civil services. Shubham as a UPSC topper 2020, advises UPSC aspirants to be consistent, work hard, and be patient. According to him, consistency and hard work are the keys to success. He urges aspirants to practice a lot, focus on their strengths, and never lose hope. With hard work and dedication, aspirants can achieve their desired goals.
