Daijiworld Media Network - Indore
Indore, Jul 25: Ananya Sharma from Indore scripted an inspiring turnaround by securing All India Rank (AIR) 13 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, proving that perseverance and consistent effort can overcome repeated setbacks. After failing to clear the preliminary examination in her first two attempts, she returned stronger in her third attempt to emerge as one of the country's top civil services achievers.
Born into an academically accomplished family, Ananya's father is a school headmaster, while her mother is an English professor at Indore Christian College. She completed her schooling at Daly College, Indore, before pursuing a degree in Economics from Hindu College, University of Delhi.
Even before cracking the UPSC examination, Ananya had demonstrated her competitive abilities by securing All India Rank 5 in the Combined Defence Services (CDS-I) Examination 2024. However, she chose not to join the training as her ultimate goal was to enter the civil services, with a particular interest in joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Ananya described the UPSC preliminary examination as the most challenging stage of her preparation. After two unsuccessful attempts, she revamped her strategy by thoroughly analysing previous years' question papers, taking numerous mock tests, revising extensively, and identifying and correcting her mistakes.
For the Mains examination, she concentrated on improving her answer-writing skills by practising within strict time limits. She focused on presenting well-structured answers supported by relevant examples, data, diagrams, and logical arguments.
Her personality test, which was her first interview appearance, turned out to be a positive experience. She described the interaction as friendly and engaging, with most questions centred on her academic background in economics and contemporary global issues, including international relations and conflicts.
Reflecting on her journey, Ananya emphasised that faith, perseverance, and self-confidence are essential qualities for every UPSC aspirant. She acknowledged that the preparation journey is often filled with disappointments but said the joy of seeing one's name in the final selection list makes every struggle worthwhile.
Ananya Sharma's remarkable rise from failing the prelims twice to securing AIR 13 stands as a powerful source of inspiration for thousands of UPSC aspirants, particularly young women, encouraging them to remain determined in the face of setbacks and pursue their dreams with unwavering commitment.