“It was a childhood dream tucked away in some corner of my mind… but after graduation, I knew I had to chase it.”
At just 24, Ettaboyina Sai Shivani from Warangal, Telangana, cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 with an incredible All India Rank of 11. For someone so calm and soft-spoken, Shivani carries a quiet clarity that rarely wavers. No dramatic turnarounds. No crash-course miracle. Just a story of patience, purpose, and showing up – every single day.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Shivani shared how she turned her childhood dream into reality!
A STEADY START
Raised in a modest household – her father works in medical recruitment and her mother is a homemaker – Shivani grew up surrounded by simple values. There was no grand plan or pressure to become a civil servant. But something about it stayed with her since childhood.
She pursued a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from IIIT-Ongole, graduating in 2022. That’s when the dream started to take shape more seriously.
“I’ve always been drawn to people who bring real change. At some point, I stopped just admiring them; I wanted to become one of them.”
NO COACHING. NO FRILLS. JUST FOCUS.
Shivani didn’t rely on expensive coaching classes or endless mock tests. Her strategy? Self-study, structure, and staying consistent—even when no one was watching.
She chose Anthropology as her optional subject, a surprising shift from her tech background.
“I found it fascinating. It helped me understand people, cultures, and human evolution, and it felt refreshing and different from what I’d studied before,” she told Indian Masterminds.
Her first attempt didn’t go as planned; she couldn’t clear the prelims. But she didn’t let it shake her.
FINDING BALANCE BEYOND BOOKS
Shivani’s preparation wasn’t all grind. In fact, she made sure it never became robotic. To keep herself grounded, she relied on the things she loved – singing, reading, journaling, and yoga.
“Hobbies kept me sane. I didn’t want to burn out—I wanted to grow, and that meant staying connected to things that made me feel alive.”
With Rank 11, Shivani is clear about her next step – the Indian Administrative Service. She’s not chasing a title. She’s aiming for impact.
HER MESSAGE TO ASPIRANTS
When asked what advice she’d offer future UPSC aspirants, she smiles and says:
“Believe in yourself—even when it doesn’t feel easy. And most importantly, be consistent. Keep showing up for your goal. That’s what changes everything.”
Ettaboyina Sai Shivani’s story isn’t one of noise – it’s one of quiet strength. Of doing the work without fanfare. And proving that belief, when paired with daily effort, can take you exactly where you want to go.
