By India Today Education Desk: Vaishnavi Paul, a 26-year-old woman from Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, has made her family and community proud by securing the 62nd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022.
The daughter of a local businessman, Aditya Pal, and a teacher, Vaishnavi’s achievement was celebrated by many who had been visiting her residence to extend their congratulations.
Vaishnavi’s journey to success was marked by determination and self-belief. She had made a personal commitment to crack the IAS exams, a promise she fulfilled with her impressive ranking.
Her motivation to pursue a career as an IAS officer was sparked by reading newspapers, which she credits as her primary source of inspiration since childhood.
Educationally, Vaishnavi has a strong background. She completed her secondary education at Fatima School in her district before moving to Delhi for higher studies. She earned her master’s degree in economics from the prestigious Lady Shri Ram College and is currently pursuing further studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Vaishnavi’s success in the UPSC exam came after four attempts, demonstrating her perseverance and dedication.
This time, she cleared the interview round with her response to an interesting question wherein she confidently addressed a hypothetical situation about handling a lack of coordination between a former District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, stating that she would approach the resumption of their professional relationship positively.
In addition to her own accomplishments, Vaishnavi also acknowledges the support she received from her parents, teachers, and friends. She believes that if one has a dream and a supportive network, hard work and fearlessness can lead to success.
The UPSC Civil Services Examination of 2022 saw other notable achievers as well. Ishita Kishore topped the list, followed by Garima Lohia, Uma Harathi N, and Smriti Mishra. Interestingly, the top four positions were held by female candidates, highlighting the increasing representation of women in these prestigious examinations.