https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Priyadharshini’s Nine-Year Journey to the IFS

Against all odds, Priyadharshini S balanced marriage and rigorous UPSC exams. To learn how she conquered her dreams and became an IFS officer, read the article. 
Indian Masterminds Stories

Amidst the whirlwind of societal expectations, Priyadharshini S, a dedicated and ambitious woman from Coimbatore, juggled her roles as a wife and a civil service aspirant. Married in 2018 to a supportive doctor, Priyadharshini’s life exemplifies hard work and an unwavering belief in her dreams. Her journey towards the Indian Forest Service (IFS) is an inspiring narrative of resilience and determination.

Roots and Early Influences

Priyadharshini’s academic journey began in Coimbatore, where she completed her graduation. Growing up as the only child, she enjoyed the support of her parents. “My love for nature and wildlife grew from our frequent visits to Mudumalai National Park and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Kerala.,” she shared with Indian Masterminds. This deep-rooted passion for wildlife played a crucial role in her career choice.

Challenges

In 2015, Priyadharshini embarked on the rigorous path of preparing for the Union Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE) and the Indian Forest Service Examination (UPSC IFS). Despite her best efforts, the prelims proved to be a challenging hurdle for her. “I faced eight consecutive failures in clearing the prelims for the IFS.” However, she persevered, fueled by her dream to either become an IAS officer or join the Indian Forest Service.

Triumphs and Setbacks

Priyadharshini’s journey was marked by moments of both triumph and setback. In the UPSC CSE, she managed to reach the mains exam in 2016 and the interview rounds in 2017 and 2020. Despite coming close, she fell short of the final mark each time. The prelims, in particular, remained a formidable challenge. However, in 2023, she made a strategic decision to focus solely on the IFS, marking her ninth and final attempt. With just 40 days of preparation, she tackled the prelims with renewed vigor and confidence, buoyed by the belief that this was her last chance.

Achieving Success Against All Odds

Her efforts paid off. Priyadharshini not only cleared the prelims but also excelled in the interview round, achieving the highest marks in Tamil Nadu. She cleared UPSC IFS with an AIR 82 in her ninth and final attempt. 

Strategizing for the Exam

Her optional subjects, forestry, and geology, played a significant role in her success. She emphasized the importance of previous years’ question papers (PYQs), strong foundational knowledge from NCERT books, and staying updated with current affairs through newspapers. Her approach to mock tests was pragmatic, focusing on knowledge acquisition rather than marks.

Preparation for the mains exam required a meticulous strategy. Priyadharshini highlighted the importance of diagrams and technical terms in forestry and geology, recommending the use of color pens to enhance answer presentation. Consistent answer writing practice and familiarity with technical jargon were crucial for scoring well in these papers.

The Power of Family Support

Throughout her journey, Priyadharshini’s family played a pivotal role. “My parents and husband provided me unwavering financial and emotional support throughout my journey,” she shared. Her father-in-law’s encouragement allowed her to continue her preparation even after marriage. Despite societal expectations and family functions, she maintained her focus, often studying in isolation to maximize her productivity. “I used to make people understand that it is just a matter of time.” 

Mental Resilience and Advice for Aspirants

Mental resilience was a cornerstone of her success. Priyadharshini faced significant mental distress, balancing the demands of married life with the rigorous preparation required for one of India’s toughest exams. She advised other aspirants, especially women, to secure financial independence before marriage and to persistently believe in their capabilities.

Priyadharshini’s story is not just about clearing an exam; it is about navigating the complexities of life with grace and determination. Her journey underscores the importance of support systems, strategic preparation, and above all, the indomitable human spirit.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Panna police
Panna Police Under Siege: SHO and Constable Injured as Villagers Launch Brutal Attack
Panna police
Khaki Power on the Podium: MP Police Shine at All India Police Games 2025 with Gold, Yoga & Judo Glory
India Russia R-37M missile talks
India Russia R-37M Missile Talks Advances to Arm Su-30MKI fighters
IAF MRFA project
114 Fighters, One Mission — MoD Pushes for 100% Indian Involvement in IAF MRFA Project
Ias sam rizvi
Hyderabad: Principal Secretary IAS SAM Rizvi Opts for Voluntary Retirement Amid Dispute with Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao
MP-Police-
Madhya Pradesh IPS Transfers: 7 Senior Officers Shifted in Midnight Reshuffle; Rajababu Singh, Irshad Wali Among Key Names
Powergrid
POWERGRID Strengthens National Grid Connectivity with Acquisition of 2 Key TBCB Projects Worth ₹3,375 Crore
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar’s Bold Leap: CM Nitish Kumar Pledges 1 Crore Jobs and Women’s Empowerment Boost
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
The Many Facets of Former IRS Officer and Author, Giselle Mehta | Video Interview
IDES Saquib Alam
Beyond IAS and IPS: The Inspiring Work of an IDES officer | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
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,...
Ankita Parashar RAS 2023
4 Attempts, 1 Dream, 0 Excuses: Meet RAS Topper Ankita Parashar, Who Fulfilled a Daughter’s Promise & Secured Rank 2 | Exclusive Interview
Ankita Parashar, a teacher-turned-officer from Pushkar, fulfilled her late father’s dream by securing...
Kushal Chaudhary RAS
From Lab Assistant’s Grit to Rajasthan Topper: How Kushal Chaudhary Topped RAS 2023 with Self-Study | Preparation, Strategy & Interview
Kushal Chaudhary, a farmer’s son and lab assistant from Ajmer, topped RAS 2023 through self-study, overcoming...
Social Media
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
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Panna police
Panna Police Under Siege: SHO and Constable Injured as Villagers Launch Brutal Attack
Panna police
Khaki Power on the Podium: MP Police Shine at All India Police Games 2025 with Gold, Yoga & Judo Glory
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-16 at 15.16
IDES Saquib Alam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT