Daijiworld Media Network - Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, Jul 18: Bandana Pokhriyal’s journey to becoming an IAS officer is a remarkable tale of determination and self-discipline. Hailing from the remote village of Bironkhal in Uttarakhand, Bandana achieved All India Rank 83 in the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination—all while holding a full-time government job and without enrolling in any coaching institute.

Raised in an Army household, Bandana’s upbringing instilled a sense of discipline early on. Her father, Chandra Shashi, is a retired junior commissioned officer in the Indian Army, and her mother, Manju Pokhriyal, supported her academic journey through various Army schools across the country. She later pursued a degree in biotechnology from Bhopal.

After graduation, Bandana secured a position as an excise inspector in Gujarat. Despite the demands of her job, she began preparing for the UPSC exam during her off-hours. Her first attempt was unsuccessful, but she persisted, and on her second try, she cracked the exam with flying colours.

Now serving as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the department of irrigation & waterways in West Bengal, Bandana Pokhriyal continues to inspire thousands of UPSC aspirants with her story of hard work, resilience, and success without shortcuts.