Unlike many aspirants, becoming a civil servant was never Anju Singh’s childhood dream. Her goal was simple – to complete her studies at IIT and land a good job. Civil services weren’t even on her radar. But everything changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As she witnessed migrant workers walking for miles, families struggling for basic necessities, and widespread helplessness, something stirred within her. She realized that if she had been in a position of administrative power, she could also have made a real difference. That moment sparked a new purpose in her life – to become a civil servant.
With no background in the field and no early brilliance in the exam process, Anju began her journey from scratch. She spent four years understanding, preparing, and steadily improving. In 2024, she fulfilled her dream by cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination with an impressive rank, securing a coveted IAS post.
Her journey isn’t one of instant success, but of perseverance and transformation. Anju’s story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to chase a meaningful goal – all it takes is determination, purpose, and unshakable willpower.
Indian Masterminds spoke with Ms. Anju Singh to delve deeper into her inspiring journey and the transformation that led her to the IAS.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Anju began her UPSC preparation in 2020 from home, relying primarily on YouTube as her guide and mentor. Over the course of four attempts, she experienced both failure and growth.
Her first attempt in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021 ended at the preliminary stage. In her second attempt, she made significant progress and reached the interview round but couldn’t secure a place in the final list.
Her third attempt in UPSC-2023 again saw her fall short at the prelims.
However, undeterred by setbacks, she pushed forward – and in her fourth attempt in 2024, she finally cracked the exam with an outstanding All India Rank of 60, almost certainly securing a place in the prestigious IAS.
Despite the many ups and downs, Anju describes her journey as “very good and beautiful.” She reflected, “It was a journey of discovering myself – understanding the mistakes I was making in life, how I behaved in tough situations, and how much I could grow. I learned a lot throughout the process. And, along the way, my bond with my family and friends became even stronger.”
OWING TO FATHER’S SACRIFICES AND SUPPORT
Anju credits her success to her parents, especially her father, whose dedication to education despite numerous struggles shaped her path. He joined the army as a soldier and retired with a distinguished rank, always prioritizing his children’s education. He never compromised on his children’s education, and Anju believes she’s where she is today because of his unconditional support.
Reflecting on her UPSC journey, Anju spoke about the emotional toll it takes on families. “They worry about us, but don’t always show it,” she said. “I often directed my frustration towards my family during tough times, and those moments were hard for them. We tend to take our parents for granted, but it’s only when you go through it that you truly understand their sacrifices.”
BACKGROUND
Anju hails from Sikar, Rajasthan, though her family originally belongs to Haryana. Her father, a proud Army veteran, began his service as a sepoy and retired with the honorary rank of Captain. He currently serves in the Defence Security Corps as a Subedar. Her mother is a homemaker, and Anju has one sister and one brother.
Due to her father’s frequent transfers, she studied in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across various locations, eventually completing her 12th grade from her hometown. She then moved to Jaipur to prepare for the IIT-JEE and later secured admission to IIT Kharagpur. There, she pursued an integrated five-year course in Economics, earning both her graduation and post-graduation degrees in 2021.
In a personal milestone, Anju got married just before the UPSC results were announced.
UPSC PREPARATIONS
Anju’s UPSC preparation journey began entirely from scratch. Before 2020, she had no knowledge of the civil services exam – not even the basics. It was through YouTube videos that she first began to understand the structure and nature of the exam. From there, she studied the syllabus thoroughly and crafted her own strategy for each paper.
She began with a subject that naturally drew her interest – Disaster Management. Staying true to the principle of quality over quantity, she kept her resources limited, relying on a few standard books and extensively on YouTube lectures. She created separate short notes for both Prelims and Mains, drawing from video lectures, newspapers, and test series. Over time, she developed rich, handwritten notes that became the core of her preparation.
Consistent revision played a crucial role in her success. She primarily studied from her own notes and didn’t enroll in any coaching institute. Instead, she opted for test series and mock interviews to fine-tune her performance. Her optional subject was Anthropology.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Anju described her UPSC interview as intense yet surprisingly friendly. She scored 190 marks in the interview. Although she was thoroughly grilled, the interaction felt more like an engaging discussion than a formal interview. Interestingly, there weren’t many questions from her Detailed Application Form (DAF); instead, the panel covered a wide range of topics.
One of the major areas of focus was the Uniform Civil Code, especially in light of its recent implementation in Uttarakhand. The board engaged her in a detailed discussion on issues related to live-in relationships, marriage laws, and personal freedoms. Anju faced a challenging question that reflected both legal and societal complexities.
A board member asked her opinion on a new law that treats live-in relationships similarly to marriage – requiring couples to register their relationship and formally file for separation if they part ways. The panel specifically sought her stance on the matter, asking, “As a Gen Z and as a woman, what is your view on this?”
Anju firmly expressed her disagreement with the proposal. She argued that live-in relationships should remain outside the scope of legal registration. “Introducing formal procedures like registration and separation defeats the very purpose of a live-in relationship,” she said. She further explained that marriages already involve legal formalities and numerous pending cases, and bringing the same complexities into live-in arrangements would only create more legal burdens.
Citing Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, Anju emphasized the importance of individual freedom and choice. “The idea behind live-in is freedom from obligation. If you impose responsibility through legal mandates, it loses its meaning,” she added.
The board then posed a counter-question: “If you were made Chief Justice of India and a group of women petitioned you to remove live-in relationships altogether, what would you do?”
Anju replied with a balanced perspective. “I wouldn’t question their concerns, but I also wouldn’t make registration compulsory. Those who wish to register their live-in relationship should be allowed to do so, and those who don’t should have the freedom not to,” she said.
Beyond that, she was asked questions on One Nation One Election, economic issues, current affairs, her academic background, internship experience, and hobbies.
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In a lighter yet thought-provoking moment during the interview, one of the board members asked Anju, “Why do they teach Economics at IIT? What’s the significance? Did you know you’d be studying Economics when you chose IIT?”
With honesty and simplicity, Anju responded, “I didn’t know much about it back then. I chose it thinking it would help me get a better job.”
Despite the depth and breadth of the questioning, she maintained her composure and confidence throughout. She recalls the session not as a high-pressure interview, but as a thought-provoking and respectful conversation.
SUGGESTIONS
Sharing her advice for future aspirants, Anju said, “Trust yourself and work hard. This journey may be long, but it offers lessons that will stay with you for a lifetime. Continuity and dedication are the real keys to success. Create your own strategy, take guidance from topper videos, and keep your resources limited. Study each topic sincerely and make revision a regular part of your routine.”
