https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

AIR 17 Sanskriti Trivedy’s Final Shot at UPSC Hits the Bullseye

Despite already securing Rank 352 and joining IDAS, SanskritiTrivedy didn’t give up on her dream. In her sixth and final UPSC attempt, she bounced back from previous failures - including not clearing prelims just a year ago - and stunned herself by securing All India Rank 17, proving that discipline, honesty, and persistence can turn even the toughest journey into a success story.
Indian Masterminds Stories

On April 22nd, while the internet buzzed with speculations about the UPSC results, SanskritiTrivedy tried to calm her nerves in the pleasant hills of Shimla. She was there on a week-long trip with fellow probationers as part of her Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) training. Laughter filled the air as she chatted with friends, but inside, the familiar jitters were creeping in.

After hours of waiting, she convinced herself that maybe, just maybe, the result wouldn’t come that day. She shifted focus to other things, trying to enjoy the moment. But then, a friend walked in with a grin and gave her the shock of a lifetime – Sanskriti had not only cleared the exam, but had secured All India Rank 17 in UPSC CSE 2024.

“I just froze,” she recalls, laughing. “I couldn’t believe it. I had imagined clearing it, but 17th rank? That was never in the picture!”, she told to Indian Masterminds

A FAMILIAR FACE IN THE HEADLINES

This wasn’t Sanskriti’s first time cracking the UPSC exam. In 2023, she had already made news by securing Rank 352 and joining the IDAS. But what made her stand out then was her fearless honesty – she declared publicly that she would attempt the exam again.

And she did. This was her sixth and final attempt, and it was the one that finally got her the dream service she had been striving for.

WINGS FROM DELHI

Hailing from Jamui, Bihar, Sanskriti grew up in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where her father, a civil engineer in a public sector company, was posted. Her  schooling was completed from Ranchi, and by the time she reached 11th grade, she had made up her mind – civil services was the path.

She pursued Political Science from Gargi College, Delhi University, followed by a master’s degree in International Relations from JNU. Her academic foundation would later shape her optional subject – Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)-in the UPSC exam.

FROM MISSED PRELIMS TO IDAS

The road wasn’t smooth. Sanskriti failed to clear prelims in her first two attempts. In 2021, she reached Mains but couldn’t go further. Then in 2022, she cracked it and got Rank 352.

Though proud of making it, she wasn’t fully content. “I had a good job and was undergoing training, but I knew I had to give it one last try,” she says.

But fate tested her again-she failed to clear Prelims in 2023. Many would have given up. She didn’t.

Sanskriti Trivedy, AIR 17, UPSC CSE 2024

LESSONS FROM MISTAKES

Sanskriti is candid about what went wrong in her earlier attempts.

“One big mistake was ignoring revision. Prelims needs constant practice,” she says. “The syllabus is vast. I didn’t give enough attention to previous year questions and test series in the beginning-and that cost me.”

She also admits she underplayed Essay and Ethics papers in Mains. “Those two areas really pull your rank up or down,” she adds.

Her advice? “Stick to the syllabus. Solve PYQs. Have an integrated strategy. Don’t prepare for Prelims and Mains as two different worlds.”

HER DAF ADVICE : Be Real

Sanskriti also has a word of caution for aspirants filling out the DAF (Detailed Application Form) for the interview.

“Don’t write anything that isn’t true. You can improve your personality, but you can’t change it overnight. Be honest. Even if you don’t have some flashy hobby, it’s okay. That doesn’t define your entire personality.”

ROLE OF PARENTS              

Her parents were her pillars throughout. During her low moments, especially after missed prelims or unsatisfactory ranks, their support kept her going.

“This exam will test everything—your patience, your belief, your discipline. You’ll have weak moments, but you have to rise again.”

She doesn’t endorse rigid routines but believes in controlling each day. “If you’ve decided to complete something today, make sure you do it. That kind of daily discipline matters more than any fancy timetable.”

A WORD OF CAUTION

Despite her deep commitment, Sanskriti never blindly idealized UPSC. She was clear about her Plan B – academia.

“If it didn’t work out, I would have pursued teaching. You should love this journey, but not worship it blindly,” she says.

Her final message to aspirants? “Treat UPSC like any other exam. If you’re doing it, be 100% sure of why you want to become a civil servant.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IFCI-Ltd
IFCI Limited Receives ROC Approval for Three-Month AGM Extension; Meeting Rescheduled to October 29, 2025
GAIL PSU
GAIL Launches Free CNG Scheme in East Singhbhum to Boost Clean Transportation and Green Mobility
Banking Laws Amendment Act 2025
Depositors Get More Control: New Rules under Banking Laws Amendment Act 2025 to Allow Up to 4 Nominations from 1 Nov 2025
NLC-INDIA-resized-neyvili
NLC India Limited Earns Independent “CRISIL ESG 49” Rating, Highlighting Strong Commitment to Sustainability
MECL__54th_Foundation_Day
MECL Celebrates 54th Foundation Day with Heartfelt Tribute and Guard of Honour to CMD Indra Dev Narayan
NMDC Steel Ltd
NMDC Revises Iron Ore Prices Effective October 22, 2025, Impacting Steel and Infrastructure Sectors
NCL_Special_Safety_Review_Workshop
NCL Hosts Special Safety Review Workshop to Strengthen Mine Safety Through Digitization and Technology
NTPC_Talcher_Kaniha_in_collaboration_with_KVIC_
NTPC Talcher Kaniha Hosts Khadi Mahotsav to Promote Sustainability and Empower Village Industries
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IFCI-Ltd
IFCI Limited Receives ROC Approval for Three-Month AGM Extension; Meeting Rescheduled to October 29, 2025
GAIL PSU
GAIL Launches Free CNG Scheme in East Singhbhum to Boost Clean Transportation and Green Mobility
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT