Priyadarshini S, a resident of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, was determined to join the civil services. As the only daughter in her family, she received immense support from everyone. She began preparing for the UPSC exams after completing her graduation and appeared for both the Civil Service and Forest Service exams. Despite facing failure eight times in a row, she finally secured 82nd rank in the Indian Forest Service exam on her ninth attempt. 

Exam preparation

Priyadarshini prepared for the UPSC exams by reading and preparing notes on her own and solving previous year question papers. After a year of preparation, she attempted both the UPSC CSE and Forest Service exams in 2015 but could not clear them. Next year, she reached the Mains stage of UPSC but could not make it past that. Despite experiencing several setbacks, she remained determined to achieve her dreams.

Facing failures 

She reached the interview stage in the UPSC CSE in 2017 but did not make it to the merit list. She also faced failure again in the Forest Service Exam. In the year 2018, she got married to an assistant doctor. She continued with her preparation and kept working towards achieving her goal. 

Perseverance

It’s remarkable how these continuous and heartbreaking setbacks did not break her. In 2023, she changed her strategy and focused entirely on preparing for the Indian Forest Service exam. This was her ninth and final attempt, and she knew she would no longer be eligible for the exams afterward. 

Achieving dreams

Eventually, Priyadarshini achieved success in her ninth attempt, securing the 82nd rank in the Indian Forest Service exam. Her family, especially her father-in-law, provided full support and encouragement. Despite all the failures, she remained optimistic. Her journey serves as an inspiration for every aspirant.