https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How a Father’s Words Ignited an Unconventional Path to UPSC Success

Medha Sinha's UPSC journey is a tale of resilience, guided by her father's wisdom, culminating in triumph as an IFS officer. Read the article…
Indian Masterminds Stories

Medha Sinha’s path to becoming an Indian Forest Service officer (IFS) reads more like a captivating novel than a traditional civil service exam success story. It’s a tale brimming with ambition, resilience, and the unexpected twists that life can throw. Speaking with Indian Masterminds Medha shared about her journey. 

Fresh out of Hindu College, a wide-eyed Medha, like countless others, fell for the allure of the UPSC exam – the “toughest exam” and the gateway to a prestigious career in public service. Armed with a strong academic record, she embarked on her journey, blissfully unaware of the challenges that lay ahead.

FATHER’S SUPPORT

A rude awakening awaited her. Her initial underestimation of the exam’s rigor resulted in a string of failures at the crucial mains stage. Discouraged and questioning her very capabilities, Medha plunged into a period of self-doubt. It was during this dark phase that her father emerged as a beacon of hope. He, recognizing her masked vulnerability, offered a powerful piece of advice: “कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते, मा फलेषु कदाचन्” (focus on your actions, not the fruits). These words from the Bhagavad Gita became her guiding light. “I would have spiraled deeper into this negativity, if not for my father, who has always been my anchor and who saw my fragility despite the facade,” Medha shared. 

Embracing a new approach, Medha diversified her pursuits. She landed a coveted job as a probationary officer (PO) at the State Bank of India (SBI) and even secured a full merit scholarship for an MBA at the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad. In 2022, amidst her MBA studies, success struck again – she cleared the BPSC exam, bagging a rank of 24 and a position in the Bihar Administrative Service (BPSC).

The experience of working in Bihar solidified a crucial realization: public service was indeed her calling. With renewed determination, she returned to the UPSC arena, this time with a wealth of life experiences in tow. “And, so, after all this time, I plucked up my courage and decided to give the exam one more try,” Medha shared with Indian Masterminds

PRELIMS STRATEGY

Medha’s strategy for the UPSC prelims was practice-intensive. She relied heavily on mock tests and foundational books for civil services and diligently followed The Hindu newspaper. Her practice paid off, as she scored 103 in GS1. For CSAT, her finance background helped her avoid extensive preparation, though she acknowledged the increasing difficulty of the section. Her tip for aspirants is to solve previous years’ questions within a time limit.

For the mains, she opted for online coaching for her optional subjects (forestry and geology) due to her work commitments. However, she stresses the importance of developing a clear and visually appealing writing style, incorporating diagrams and charts for enhanced impact.

Medha’s excellence in the general English paper was notable, achieving one of the highest scores. “Incorporating inspirational lines from renowned authors, such as Rabindranath Tagore, can leave a positive impression on examiners, indicating a familiarity with good literature,” she added. 

WISE WORDS 

Her advice to future aspirants resonates with empathy: “Face this exam with confidence; you have it in you.” She acknowledges the shared struggle of UPSC aspirants, offering a message of solidarity and reminding them that the knowledge gained throughout the process is invaluable.

Medha’s triumph, achieved with an All India Rank 13 in the UPSC IFS 2023 exam, is a testament to her spirit and the transformative power of perseverance. It’s a story that transcends mere exam success – it’s a journey of self-discovery, adaptation, and ultimately, achieving one’s true purpose. 

“I realize now how the trials and tribulations of life have forged me into a kinder individual and a better officer. It has been a special journey, and, looking back, I would change nothing about it,” she said in conclusion.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s cybersecurity ecosystem
India’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem Rises to Global Prominence – 400+ Startups, 6.5 Lakh Professionals, and CERT-In Fuel a $20 Billion Revolution
MCL Town Hall project Patnagarh
MCL Allocates Rs 9.97 Crore for Town Hall Project in Patnagarh, Strengthening Community Infrastructure in Odisha
SAIL
SAIL Reports 53% Decline in Q2 FY26 Profit to Rs 418 Crore, Revenue Surges Amid Strong Sales Volume
Railtel
RailTel Achieves 27% Growth in Q2 FY26, Reports Rs 966 Crore Income and Announces Interim Dividend
NMDC Steel Ltd
NMDC Achieves Record-Breaking Q2 FY26 with 23% Growth in Production and 33% Increase in PAT
HPCL_logo_HIndustan Petroleum
Results: HPCL Reports 731% Surge in H1 FY26 Profit, Driven by Strong Refining & Marketing Performance
BHEL
BHEL Reports 3x Surge in Q2 Net Profit to Rs 374.89 Crore, Driven by Strong Revenue Growth of Rs 7,686.41 Crore
DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar bribery case
Bribery to Benami Assets: CBI Registers Disproportionate Assets Case Against IPS Harcharan Singh Bhullar; Massive Cash, Gold, & Property Recovered
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
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,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
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
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s cybersecurity ecosystem
India’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem Rises to Global Prominence – 400+ Startups, 6.5 Lakh Professionals, and CERT-In Fuel a $20 Billion Revolution
ashasgajshajshaj
From Cybercrime to Sports Pride: How Nuh’s Youth Found a New Identity Through ‘Khelo Mewat'
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT