The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) remains one of India’s most prestigious and challenging exams, attracting aspirants dedicated to serving the nation. The recently announced results for UPSC CSE 2023 showcased the diverse backgrounds of successful candidates. Among these achievers is Ayushi Pradhan from Baripada, Odisha. Her accomplishment represents the determination and dedication required to excel in the UPSC exams, inspiring others to pursue their dream of becoming a public servant.
A top performer throughout her academic life, Ayushi Pradhan secured 93.5% in her Class 10 exams from St Anne’s Convent School and 93% in Class 12 from Mother’s Public School in Bhubaneswar. She went on to earn a degree in computer engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology (CET). Initially set on pursuing an MBA, Ayushi ultimately shifted her focus to the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Ayushi Pradhan’s journey to become an IAS
Her UPSC journey wasn’t without challenges. In her first attempt, she reached the interview stage but missed the cutoff by a mere 13 marks. On her second attempt, she achieved a commendable rank of 334 and joined the Indian Defence Estate Service (IDES). Even as she trained in the IDES, she remained committed to her IAS ambition and attempted the exam once more. Her perseverance paid off in 2023 when she secured an impressive 36th rank, earning her a place in the IAS cadre.
According to Ayushi, she left her job and MBA to become an IAS officer. She did all the preparation while staying at home. She also watched a lot of videos related to her subjects, made notes to have a better understanding of the syllabus. She solved many test papers in previous years, UPSC papers, which helped her understand the UPSC exam pattern. This approach helped her grasp the exam format and key concepts thoroughly.
Choosing Anthropology as her optional subject was a bold decision, especially with her background in computer engineering. It required extra effort due as the subject was totally new to her. However, Ayushi committed herself to mastering it.
Currently, Ayushi is an officer trainee with the IDES, and she is set to begin her IAS training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, where she will undergo rigorous training for the next two years to prepare for her role in public service.