Ruhani :Rank 5, UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024

Ruhani :Rank 5, UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024

Ruhani secured All India Rank 5 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023 after a journey marked by resilience and determination. Originally from Gurugram, Haryana, she comes from a family deeply rooted in education. Both her parents, Suresh Seth and Neelam Rani, are teachers, and her brother is a research engineer, reflecting the family's strong emphasis on academic excellence and innovation.

1. Educational Background

• Graduation: Ruhani completed her B.A. in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, in 2017.
• Post-Graduation: She then pursued her Master’s in Economics from IGNOU in 2019, further sharpening her knowledge in her chosen optional subject for UPSC.

2. Professional Experience and UPSC Journey

• Ruhani initially worked as an Indian Economic Service (IES) officer for three years, from 2020 to 2023, serving as an Assistant Director at NITI Aayog. Despite a successful career in the IES, her ultimate goal was to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
• Previous Attempts: Ruhani's journey to success was not easy. She attempted the UPSC exam six times before securing her top rank. In 2022, she cleared the exam and was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) but was determined to achieve a higher rank. Finally, in 2023, she achieved Rank 5, securing her place in the IAS.

3. UPSC Preparation Strategy

• Optional Subject: Ruhani chose Economics as her optional subject, leveraging her strong academic foundation in the subject. Her expertise in economics, gained through both education and her work experience at NITI Aayog, was a key factor in her success.
• Strategic Preparation: Her preparation involved a balanced focus on current affairs, revision, and answer writing. She emphasized the importance of consistency, strategic planning, and regularly taking mock tests to improve time management and assess readiness for the exam.

4. Secured Marks

• Written Exam: Ruhani scored 856 marks in the written portion of the UPSC Mains.
• Interview: She performed well in the interview as well, scoring 193 out of 275, bringing her total score to 1049 marks, which secured her the 5th rank.

5. Challenges and Resilience

• Multiple Attempts: Despite facing disappointment in her earlier attempts, including five unsuccessful tries, Ruhani's perseverance never wavered. She continued refining her strategy after each attempt, which eventually led to her success in 2023.
• Balancing Work and Preparation: Her journey was made more challenging by the fact that she balanced her professional commitments as an IES officer with her UPSC preparation. Her time management and focus were critical to her success.

6. Key Takeaways from Ruhani's Journey

• Perseverance: Ruhani’s journey demonstrates the importance of persistence in the face of failure. Each of her previous five attempts was a learning experience that ultimately led her to success in the sixth.
• Strategic Focus: Her story highlights the importance of strategic planning in UPSC preparation, focusing on the core areas, practicing answer writing, and regularly revising critical topics.
• Consistency and Resilience: Her ability to stay consistent in her preparation, coupled with resilience in overcoming failures, was a crucial factor in achieving Rank 5.

7. Inspiration for Aspirants

• Preparation Tips: Ruhani advises aspirants to focus on setting realistic daily goals, keeping up with current affairs, and regularly revising their notes. She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with adequate sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet to ensure optimal performance during preparation.
• Motivation: She encourages aspirants to stay positive and believe in their preparation, even in the face of setbacks, and to seek help from mentors or friends when necessary.

Ruhani’s journey to Rank 5 in UPSC 2023 stands as a source of inspiration for future aspirants, highlighting the values of perseverance, focus, and dedication needed to succeed in the highly competitive Civil Services Examination

MARKS OBTAINED (MAINS - 2023)