“Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Every year, lakhs of young Indians appear for the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination, carrying hopes not only of personal success but also of changing their families’ destinies. The journey is long, uncertain, and emotionally exhausting. Many prepare for years, yet only a handful finally make it to the coveted list. In this relentless battle of patience and perseverance, every rank holder carries a story of sacrifices, doubts, and unwavering determination.
For Astha Jain, a young woman from the small town of Kandhla in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district, the dream of becoming an IAS officer was never just a career choice – it was a deeply cherished aspiration nurtured by years of hard work and the steadfast support of her family.
The daughter of a humble grocery shop owner, Aastha grew up watching her parents quietly sacrifice their comforts to ensure she received the best possible education. From the narrow lanes of Saravgyan Mohalla in Kandhla to the national stage of the UPSC merit list, her journey reflects the power of discipline, self-belief, and resilience.
After clearing the exam in all three of her attempts, Aastha finally achieved her dream by securing All India Rank 9in the latest UPSC Civil Services Examination results. What makes her journey even more remarkable is that she had already become an IPS officer in her first attempt and is currently undergoing training in Hyderabad.
Her story is not just about ranks and results; it is about perseverance, courage, and the determination to keep striving for one’s dream even after coming close to it twice. Indian Masterminds exclusively interacted with her to learn more about her inspiring journey and her tips for UPSC aspirants.
Journey So Far
Her UPSC journey is a rare example of consistency and determination. She appeared for the civil services examination three times – and cleared all three attempts.
- First Attempt (2023): Secured AIR 131, selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) and allotted the Rajasthan cadre.
- Second Attempt (2024): Secured AIR 186, again qualifying but falling short of her IAS dream.
- Third Attempt (2025): Achieved her ultimate goal by securing All India Rank 9, placing her among the top ten candidates in the country.
Currently, Astha is undergoing IPS training in Hyderabad, but her latest result means she will now join the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
Reflecting on her journey, Aastha shared that despite challenges, the experience has been fulfilling.
“The journey has been full of challenges, but with God’s grace it has been one of the most wonderful experiences for me,” she said.
Her Background
She hails from Kandhla town in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. She belongs to a modest family that valued education and perseverance.
Her father, Ajay Kumar Jain, runs a grocery and confectionery shop in Saravgyan Mohalla in Kandhla. Despite limited resources, he always believed in his daughter’s potential and supported her dream of entering the civil services.
Her mother, Mamta Jain, played an equally important role in encouraging her academic pursuits.
Aastha completed her primary schooling in Kandhla before moving to Scottish International School in Shamli for her high school and intermediate education. She later pursued her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delhi.
For the UPSC examination, she chose Political Science and International Relations as her optional subject.
Celebration in Kandhla
When the UPSC results were declared and Aastha’s AIR 9 was announced, celebrations erupted in her hometown.
Her father distributed sweets in the market, and people began visiting the family’s home to congratulate them. Neighbours, relatives, and well-wishers gathered in large numbers to share their joy.
Even prominent personalities acknowledged her achievement. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya congratulated Aastha through a post on Instagram, praising her dedication and hard work.
The director of her school, Rajiv Garg, along with several local residents also reached out to celebrate her success.
The Biggest Struggle
While Astha cleared the exam in all three attempts, the journey was not without emotional challenges.
In her first attempt, she achieved a remarkable success by securing AIR 131 and entering the IPS. However, the dream of becoming an IAS officer remained unfulfilled.
The second attempt was even more difficult emotionally.
“I came very close to my dream twice but fell short each time. That was painful,” she admitted.
After securing AIR 186 in her second attempt, Aastha faced a tough internal conflict.
She was already an IPS officer, undergoing training and building a promising career. Preparing again for the exam meant taking another emotional and mental risk.
“I was not mentally prepared for the third attempt. There was a lot of conflict within me about whether I should try again or just continue as an IPS officer,” she said.
But eventually, the dream of becoming an IAS officer pushed her to give it one more attempt – and that decision changed everything.
Her Preparation Strategy
She credits her success largely to self-study and clarity in strategy.
Unlike many aspirants who constantly change study materials and approaches, she focused on maintaining consistency.
“My focus was mostly on self-study. I identified my strengths and weaknesses and decided which sources I needed and how much I needed to study.”
She took guidance from mentors and toppers but ultimately designed her own preparation plan.
“I made my own chart of what I had to do and what I had to avoid. Once I decided my approach, I followed it strictly.”
Key elements of her preparation –
- Strong focus on self-study
- Clear identification of strengths and weaknesses
- Limited and consistent study sources
- Extensive answer-writing practice for Mains
“For the mains examination, I practiced writing a lot of answers. The more you practice writing, the better your performance becomes,” she explained.
Strategy Changes for the Third Attempt
Despite performing well in her first two attempts, Aastha wanted to understand what prevented her from entering the top 50 ranks.
Instead of changing her strategy completely, she focused on small improvements.
“I did not make major changes, but I worked on many small details. I kept thinking about what small improvements could help me perform better.”
These minute refinements ultimately helped her jump from a rank in the 100s to the top 10 in the country.
Interview Experience
Astha’s UPSC interview was held in the first week of December, when the interview process had just begun.
She admitted she had limited time to prepare for it.
The interview panel focused largely on opinion-based discussions rather than factual questions.
“Many questions were based on opinions. They asked what I think about certain issues and how I would approach them.”
Her optional subject, Political Science and International Relations, also featured in the discussion.
Some questions were related to current affairs, while others connected to policing and governance due to her IPS background.
One interesting question asked during the interview was – “Whom would you vote for – Trump or Harris?”
The discussion that followed allowed her to explain her perspective and reasoning.
“It turned into a very interesting discussion between me and the panel members.”
Message for UPSC Aspirants
Astha believes that the right strategy is often the difference between success and repeated failure.
“Many aspirants attempt the exam several times but don’t succeed because their strategy is not correct.”
She advises aspirants to pause, reflect, and identify their weaknesses instead of blindly continuing with the same preparation approach.
“Take a pause once and analyze where you are going wrong. Focus on strengthening your basic subjects and core concepts.”
She also emphasized the importance of self-belief and persistence.
“If you identify the right path and stay consistent, success will eventually come.”
A Journey That Inspires
From the daughter of a small-town shopkeeper to one of the top ten rank holders in India, Aastha Jain’s story is a powerful reminder that determination and clarity can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Her journey reflects the spirit of countless UPSC aspirants who dare to dream big despite limited resources and intense competition.
As she prepares to transition from IPS training to the IAS, Astha Jain’s success stands as a shining example of perseverance, proving that sometimes the distance between a dream and reality is simply the courage to try one more time.
Read Also: IPS Officer Zinnia Aurora Rewrites Her UPSC Story With AIR 6 in 2025 | Exclusive
