Ruhani IAS/UPSC 2023-24 Rank-5

Ruhani, a native of Gurgaon, Haryana, achieved All India Rank 5 in her sixth attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023. Her journey reflects relentless dedication and perseverance. A former Indian Economic Service (IES) officer, Ruhani had already made her mark in the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2022 but continued to pursue her dream of becoming an IAS officer. She has a rich academic background, with degrees in economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and IGNOU.

Her remarkable journey is supported by her family's emphasis on education, with both parents being teachers. Throughout her UPSC attempts, her family provided unwavering support, helping her overcome multiple setbacks.

Ruhani completed her schooling in Gurgaon, then went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. She followed it with a Master’s degree in Economics from IGNOU. Before appearing for UPSC, she worked as an Assistant Director at NITI Aayog, contributing to policy development for three years, after clearing the Indian Economic Service (IES) examination in 2020.

Ruhani hails from an educationally inclined family. Both her parents are teachers, instilling in her a strong foundation for learning and academic success. She has one sibling, a brother who works as a research engineer. This nurturing academic environment encouraged her to aim high from a young age.

Ruhani had a persistent desire to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), driven by her commitment to public service. Although she initially cleared the Indian Economic Service and later the Indian Police Service (IPS), her passion for administrative roles at a higher level pushed her to continue with UPSC. For her, the IAS represented a position where she could bring about more direct and impactful changes at the grassroots level, especially in policymaking and governance. Her journey of six attempts reflects her determination to secure a role that aligned with her long-term vision of contributing to the nation.

Ruhani's UPSC journey was not without its share of obstacles. She faced setbacks in multiple attempts, including four continuous disappointments before securing the IPS in her fifth attempt. Despite this, she continued to prepare rigorously for her goal of becoming an IAS officer, even while undergoing rigorous training for the IPS. Her unwavering resolve, discipline, and family support helped her navigate through the pressures of failure and intense competition.

For Prelims:
Ruhani's approach to prelims focused on building a strong foundation in core subjects like Polity, Economics, and History. She emphasized regular updates on current affairs through newspapers and various digital sources. To hone her exam strategy, she practiced mock tests and previous years’ question papers extensively to sharpen her time management skills.

For Mains:
Her mains preparation involved detailed answer writing practice. Ruhani focused on integrating diverse perspectives into her answers, drawing from her work at NITI Aayog and her academic background in Economics. She followed a consistent schedule for revising both her optional subject and General Studies papers. She believed in the importance of enriching content over rote learning.

For Interview:
For the UPSC interview, Ruhani focused on personality development and articulation of her thoughts. She prepared for various current topics and revisited her work experience in NITI Aayog to offer insights during the interview. She believed in being authentic and presenting a natural, confident self before the interview board.