Indian Masterminds presents today the UPSC success story of Ms. Anuj Malik who not only cleared Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt, but also came in the top 20 ranks. CSE is one of the toughest competitive exams in the country and due to the vast syllabus of the examination, the preparation becomes very difficult, and many aspirants have to appear for it multiple times before they finally make it. Yet, many even give up halfway, without reaching their goal.
By acing this tough exam in the very first time, Ms. Anuj Malik proved that she is way ahead of other aspirants and had a clear vision about the examination and the service she was opting for as a career choice.
CHOOSING UPSC
Ms. Anuj Malik belongs to the capital, Delhi, and is a resident of Lajpat Nagar. She completed her schooling from Air Force Bal Bharti School and pursued engineering and got a B. Tech degree in Electronics and Communication. Her parents are government employees, father works in Delhi Development Authority (DDA) whereas, her mother is employed in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
In the final year of a four-year engineering course, Ms. Malik knew that she had to pick the public service field and contribute her services for the nation and its people. She was a smart student all throughout and had a goal of becoming a civil servant. She started preparing for the exam in 2015 from her home in Delhi.
MOTHER’S SUPPORT
Initially when people decide to appear for the UPSC exam, they don’t know what optional subject would be best for them. It is really a hard choice and sometimes aspirants change their optional subject during preparation because of not being sure of it.
Ms. Malik chose psychology as her optional despite getting different views from other people about the subject. Most of the people objected to it as the success rate is not that high in that particular subject.
However, when her mother came to know about this, she advised her to be fearless as she was appearing for the exam the first time. She further supported her in choosing the subject of her choice and told her to continue with the same optional subject.
Who knew that this little advice from her mother would do wonders for her? Being a bright and focused student, she cleared the exam in the very first attempt and secured All India Rank 16 to make it to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
CIVIL SERVANT LIFE
Her husband Gaurav Singh Sogarwal is also an IAS officer and is posted as SDM of Sadar Tehsil in Gorakhpur. Ms. Malik is currently the Joint Magistrate and SDM in Khajni, Uttar Pradesh. She keeps making headlines because of her work. Last year, she set an example after she had provided slippers to the migrant labourers walking barefoot during the lockdown. For this gesture, she was highly praised on social media.
