Manisha Awhale’s journey is not just about clearing UPSC; it’s about overcoming immense personal challenges while staying focused on her goal. A 2019 Maharashtra Cadre officer, she currently serves as CEO of Smart City Pune. In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, she opened up about her UPSC journey, her father’s illness, and her mother’s breast cancer. Despite these hardships, she remained committed to both her family and her dreams.
Watch the full interview here:
While many see the UPSC exam as a difficult path in itself, Ms. Awhale’s experience went far beyond the struggles of preparation. Her personal life was marked by circumstances that would have derailed most, yet she pushed through, holding on to her vision of public service. For her, the UPSC was not just a professional milestone but a goal that symbolized something larger: the ability to overcome, adapt, and continue moving forward even when life threw unexpected hurdles in her way.
In this interview, Ms. Awhale shared how she faced an unexpected personal crisis after her prelims result, in her first attempt. Her father fell seriously ill, throwing her life into emotional turbulence at a critical time in her preparation. Not long after, her family was dealt another heavy blow: her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. These devastating circumstances would have derailed anyone’s focus, but Ms. Awhale pressed on, fueled by a sense of duty and the support of her family.
In her first attempt, despite personal struggles, Manisha cleared the UPSC and joined the Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS). For many, this would mark success, but her father, even in his illness, encouraged her to aim higher. He urged her to return to Delhi and prepare again and become an IAS officer.
Heeding his advice, Ms. Awhale dedicated herself to another round of preparation. This time, she succeeded by clearing UPSC CSE 2018 with AIR 33, fulfilling both her dream and her father’s belief in her potential.
For those looking to the civil services or simply striving to overcome their struggles, IAS officer Manisha Awhale’s example offers a straightforward but powerful message: setbacks are temporary, but the strength to keep going will lead you forward.
