At 6:30 pm on 24 September 2021, Purvi Nanda sat staring at her laptop screen, her heart racing. She had imagined a single-digit rank. Maybe even a double digit. The Civil Services Examination result flashed: Rank 244.
For a moment, it hurt.
But that evening did not define her success. It refined her understanding of it.
Today, Ms. Purvi Nanda is a 2021-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer, serving as Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi. Her journey is not just about clearing UPSC. It is about rejecting labels, protecting mental health, choosing financial independence, and focusing on the process over the glamour of results.
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A DREAM THAT BECAME HER OWN
Purvi was born in 1996 in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Even before her birth, her parents had dreamt that their child would become a civil servant. For years, it was their dream. In 2016, it became hers.
She completed her schooling in Udaipur. Initially a science student who wanted to become an engineer, she discovered law in Class 12 and instantly connected with it. She pursued her graduation from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab.
During college, she actively participated in academic bodies, including the Internship Cell, Study Circle on Business Laws, and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell. She also contributed to the RGNUL Student Law Review.
By her final year, she had clarity. Civil services offered her impact, job security, respect, and balance. That clarity became her “what” and “why.”
“YOU ARE TOO ORDINARY”
When she decided to prepare for UPSC in 2016, someone close to her said, “You are too ordinary to crack this exam. You need to be extraordinary.”
The words could have broken her confidence. Instead, they strengthened her resolve.
She chose not to argue. She chose to prepare.
THE FAILURE THAT TAUGHT HER BALANCE
Her early attempt brought a painful lesson. During one prelims exam, the summer heat was unbearable. She had not slept well. She had ignored her health.
She felt dizzy. She blacked out briefly. In confusion, she randomly filled parts of the OMR sheet.
She scored 95. The cut-off was 98.
That failure changed her approach. She realised that preparation is not just about studying long hours. Sleep matters. Food matters. Mental health matters.
From then on, she simplified her routine. She slept eight hours. She made realistic timetables. She played badminton. She watched movies. She reduced comparisons.
And through it all, her family remained her quiet strength. They never pressured her for quick results. Instead, they gave her space, stability, and unwavering belief—becoming the backbone of her entire journey. In moments of self-doubt, it was their calm confidence that steadied her.
Her partner—now her husband—played an equally grounding role. He reminded her that she was more than a rank or a result. When anxiety crept in, he offered perspective. When exhaustion set in, he encouraged balance. Their relationship became a safe space where ambition and emotional well-being could coexist. During a conversation with Indian Masterminds she said while reflecting on her journey , “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go“.
STAYING ROOTED
Like many aspirants, she considered moving to Delhi. But the competitive pressure intimidated her. She chose to prepare from home instead.
She believed consistency mattered more than location. Being with family gave her emotional stability.
In November 2019, she made another bold choice. She gave up her phone for over a year. No endless scrolling. No constant updates on what others were doing.
She describes that period as peaceful and deeply productive.
RANK 244 AND A NEW ROLE
In 2021, she secured Rank 244 and joined the Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax).
During training, she attended specialised programmes on GST, cyber crime investigations, securities markets, and national security. She led the Army Attachment in Northern Command (15 Corps) in Kashmir. She visited key installations like the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam Port. She also underwent on-the-job training in Ahmedabad.
She served as Publishing Editor of the Academy Journal “Epistle” and received a Letter of Appreciation for her photography during CBDT Sanskritik Utsav.
Today, as Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi, she contributes to revenue collection that funds national schemes and public services.
FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND PURPOSE
Purvi strongly advocates financial independence, especially for women. She believes earning brings confidence and security.
For her, service through the Income Tax Department is frontline nation-building. It supports development. It strengthens governance.
She also authored a book titled “Behind The Scenes.” The book focuses not on strategy, but on making the UPSC journey happier and healthier. She urges aspirants to focus on the grind, not just the glamour.
KEEP GOING
Looking back, she does not measure success only by rank. She measures it by growth.
Her journey proves that you do not have to be “extraordinary” to start. You have to be consistent. You have to protect your mind. And you have to keep going.
Because sometimes, Rank 244 can still lead you exactly where you were meant to be.
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