The inspiring story of Ananya Singh, who cracked the UPSC exam and became an IAS officer at just 22. Learn her strategies and preparation tips.
Ananya Singh’s journey to success is a testament to the power of clarity, determination, and hard work. Hailing from Prayagraj, she achieved the remarkable feat of clearing the UPSC Civil Services Exam in her very first attempt, becoming an IAS officer at the age of 22. Her extraordinary achievement has made Ananya a source of inspiration for young aspirants across the country.
Background
Ananya Singh consistently showed an exceptional academic record throughout her education. She completed her early schooling at St Mary's Convent School in Prayagraj, where she made her mark by securing a place in the district toppers list, scoring 96% in her Class 10 exams and an impressive 98.25% in Class 12. Following her schooling, Ananya pursued a degree in Economics Honours from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, further solidifying her academic excellence.
UPSC dreams
Since childhood, Ananya Singh harboured the dream of becoming an IAS officer and serving the nation. To turn this aspiration into reality, she began her dedicated preparation for the UPSC exams during her final year of college. With unwavering focus, she committed herself to studying for 7-8 hours every day, laying a strong foundation for her future success.
How did she prepare for UPSC?
Ananya adopted a well-structured strategy for her UPSC preparation. She created a detailed timetable, ensuring that ample time was allocated for both Prelims and Mains preparation. As the exam approached, she focused on revision, meticulously going through her notes. She made a list of essential books aligned with the syllabus and prepared notes for each subject to make revision more efficient. Ananya firmly believes that making notes not only helps in revision but also helps clarify the concepts, ensuring the answers are well-structured and firmly anchored in her mind.
Becoming an IAS officer
Ananya regularly assessed her progress through mock tests, which helped her gauge her performance and identify areas for improvement. To further enhance her skills, she solved previous years' Prelims and Mains question papers, refining her writing abilities. Reflecting on the period between Prelims and Mains, Ananya describes it as particularly challenging, emphasising the importance of maintaining confidence during this phase. She utilised this time for intensive revision and mock interview preparation.
Throughout this journey, Ananya received invaluable support and guidance from her family, especially during the tough times. In 2019, her hard work and perseverance paid off when she secured an impressive All India Rank 51 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, achieving this milestone in her very first attempt.
Last Updated Jan 12, 2025, 11:38 AM IST