One of the greatest coaches in American professional football, Vince Lombardi, once said, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength or knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Ms Shruti Rajendra Maloo, already an officer in the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), seems to have truly embodied this philosophy.
With unwavering determination and a clear sense of purpose, she reached the interview stage in all her UPSC attempts. And now, in 2024, she has once again cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination – this time, likely heading toward a prestigious post in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).
Her journey is a powerful reminder that with a well-planned strategy, focused preparation, and relentless dedication, even one of India’s toughest and most prestigious exams can be conquered. Hailing from a humble Maharashtrian background, Shruti has set a shining example for aspirants across the country. Her story proves that dedication and hard work never go in vain – instead, they leave you with a lifetime of learning and growth.
Indian Masterminds had the opportunity to interact with her to delve deeper into her inspiring journey and to gather valuable insights for aspirants on how to approach the UPSC exam with the right mindset and strategy.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Shruti began her UPSC journey in August 2021, shortly after completing her graduation. Over the course of three dedicated attempts, she demonstrated remarkable persistence and resilience.
In her first attempt at UPSC CSE 2022, she successfully reached the interview stage – a significant milestone for any aspirant – but unfortunately did not make it to the final list.
Undeterred, she tried again in 2023. This time, her efforts paid off as she secured a spot in the reserve list with an impressive All India Rank of 90 and was allotted the IRMS.
However, Shruti’s ambition didn’t stop there. With a clear goal in mind, she chose to take a bold step – taking a break from her foundation course and IRMS training to focus entirely on a third attempt. Her dedication bore fruit once again in the UPSC CSE 2024, where she secured AIR 534.
As an EWS candidate, she now stands a strong chance of being allotted the IRS.
Speaking about her journey, Shruti said, “Basically, if you have consistency and hard work, then this exam is for you – this will be the payoff. But it is not easy at all. This exam checks everything at every stage. So, when you’re not successful, frustration does build up over time. But if you don’t give up and maintain consistency, it happens. There’s nothing impossible here – you just have to give what is being asked for.”
YOUR WILLPOWER IS EVERYTHING
Talking about her journey and struggles, she said, “Actually, my struggle is different, and people may perceive it in various ways. I was on the path to cracking this exam from my very first attempt. I reached the interview stage in both my first and second attempts, but still, I didn’t get the rank I was aiming for. It was really frustrating, in fact, quite depressing. Because when you feel that you’ve done everything right and are so close to success, only to face sudden failure, it breaks you. That’s exactly what happened to me.”
She further added, “Coming from a lower middle-class family, I didn’t have the luxury of time or abundant resources. Everything was limited, from study materials to guidance. But that’s when your willpower really matters. I made a decision that no matter what it took, I was not going to fail again. And today, I’m happy that I did it.”
BACKGROUND
Shruti originally hails from Buldhana district in Maharashtra. Her father runs a small business and operates a shop, while her mother is a dedicated housewife. She has two sisters, and together, they form a close-knit family.
Shruti completed her basic education up to 12th grade in her hometown. After that, she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Fergusson College, Pune, graduating in 2021. It was during this time that she decided to embark on her journey toward the UPSC Civil Services, setting her sights on one of the most prestigious exams in the country.
UPSC PREPARATION
Shruti’s UPSC preparation was methodical and strategic. She devised a different approach for each stage of the exam.
For the prelims, her strategy focused on three key areas:
- Mastering the static syllabus.
- Solving Previous Year Questions (PYQs) to understand the pattern and key topics.
- Taking as many mock tests as possible to simulate exam conditions.
She shared, “In all three of my attempts, I followed the same strategy, and it helped me clear the exam.”
For the mains, Shruti emphasized the importance of answer writing from the very beginning. According to her, no matter how much you study, if you don’t practice writing answers and manage your time effectively, you won’t be able to crack the mains exam.
Her optional subject was Sociology, a decision that played a pivotal role in her success.
When it came to the interview stage, Shruti believes that confidence, a genuine smile, and concise answers are key. Drawing from her two interview experiences, she said, “It’s all about being confident, maintaining a positive attitude, and providing brief yet clear answers.”
HER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Shruti’s interview went well, although she was asked a wide range of questions, with a particular focus on women’s issues. She scored an impressive 193 marks in the interview.
Around 70 percent of the questions were centered on women-oriented topics and her Detailed Application Form (DAF). As someone with a background in the Railways, she was asked about the steps taken by the Railways to ensure women’s safety. One of the panel members inquired about her views on the role of women in the army.
The Chairman of the board asked her about the trifurcation of the Railway services in the past and its recent reorganization into the IRMS.
A lady member then asked Shruti to name two women who, according to her, had changed the world. She also followed up with a question about Maya Angelou, asking Shruti if she knew who she was.
SUGGESTIONS FOR ASPIRANTS
Giving advice to future UPSC aspirants, Shruti said, “I would tell them to be practical and listen to their inner voice. If, after multiple attempts, you feel that you haven’t cracked it yet, consider an alternative plan or option B. However, if you believe deep within that you have what it takes, don’t give up. Keep pushing forward with full dedication. It’s not impossible. With your willpower, a well-thought-out plan, a solid strategy, and above all, dedication and honesty, success is within reach.”
