Born in Delhi and raised across various cities, Shreya Tyagi’s early life was a mosaic of experiences, thanks to her father’s transferable job. “I changed a lot of schools,” she says, recalling how her upbringing shaped her outlook. But one particular phase left a lasting impression – her four years in Bahrain.
“I did my 12th from Bahrain, and that’s where I first saw the Indian Embassy at work,” Shreya shared with Indian Masterminds in an exclusive interview. “It really fascinated me as a teenager. The idea of diplomacy, the scale of influence, the intellectual range – everything drew me in.”
Her academic choices echoed that calling. Shreya pursued both her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science and International Relations in Delhi. “It always felt like an ocean of knowledge I wanted to dive into,” she smiles.
A DREAM CALLED IFS
While many come to the Civil Services Examination with multiple options in mind, for Shreya, it was always about one destination: the Indian Foreign Service.
“I came to civil services because there was no other way to become a diplomat,” she explains. “Even after joining another service, that desire didn’t fade. That’s why I kept going.”
Indeed, Shreya had already donned the hat of an officer in IDAS, ITS, and IRS Service, but she knew her heart still longed for the corridors of diplomacy. And so, after five earnest attempts, she sat for her sixth – this time with a quiet resolve rather than grand expectations.
THE FINAL LEAP
Unlike dramatic makeovers, Shreya’s success wasn’t born out of a completely new strategy. “To be honest, I didn’t change much in terms of preparation,” she admits. “But what really shifted was my mindset.”
Instead of being overwhelmed by the enormity of her ambition, she broke it down into manageable, daily goals. “It wasn’t like, ‘I must crack IFS this time.’ It was more like, ‘I need to finish today’s targets.’ That made the pressure disappear.”
She approached her sixth attempt with calm discipline, planning smart, studying around 8 hours a day, and keeping her environment steady. The rest, as they say, fell into place.
BALANCING THE BADGE AND THE BOOKS
Preparing for UPSC while serving as an officer is no small feat. Time, focus, and energy are all tested constantly. So, how did she manage?
“Prioritization was key. Once you know the terrain of the exam, it becomes a little easier to navigate. I carved out time for studies while handling my duties; it’s all about setting the right priorities,” she shared with Indian Masterminds.
THE FINAL INTERVIEW
Shreya’s final UPSC interview took place on the last day of the board schedule, under Sheel Vardhan Singh, a board known for its analytical depth.
“It was actually my first interview where I came out feeling good,” she laughs. “Most of the questions were based on my DAF, especially my background in IDAS and interests like historical fiction.”
One particularly memorable exchange was a discussion on whether she would prioritize “history or fiction” in historical fiction writing. “It was philosophical and engaging,” she recalls. “It wasn’t just about facts, it was a conversation.”
GUILTY PLEASURES AND GROUNDING ROUTINES
A dedicated aspirant, yes – but never one to lead a monastic life. Shreya found ways to include little joys in her daily routine.
“I always had some time for myself,” she says. “Whether it was cooking my breakfast or going for a run in the evening, those moments helped me stay grounded.”
Growing up with extracurriculars, she found it hard to focus on just one thing. But over the years, she trained herself to “sit in one chair for hours,” a discipline hard-earned and ultimately rewarding.
A DREAM FULFILLED, A JOURNEY SHARED
For Shreya Tyagi, AIR-31 in UPSC CSE 2024 was more than just a rank; it was a homecoming to her first love: international diplomacy.
With humility, hard work, and quiet strength, she turned her childhood fascination with embassies into a lifelong commitment to representing India on the world stage.
“I was lucky to be supported by my family throughout,” she adds. “Living with my parents gave me the emotional space to keep going.”
A WILL TO WORK IN CHINA
Despite the many prestigious roles available within the Indian Foreign Service, Shreya Tyagi nurtured a particular interest in working in China. Her fascination stemmed from a deep curiosity about China’s complex geopolitical influence, rich cultural history, and evolving diplomatic relations with India.
She believes that understanding China is crucial to India’s foreign policy strategy in the 21st century. With her academic background in Political Science and International Relations, she hopes to contribute meaningfully to India’s diplomatic missions in the region and strengthen bilateral ties through nuanced engagement and informed dialogue.
