“Life is 10% what happens to us, and 90% how we react to it.”
For Somya Jain, this wasn’t just a quote; it became the guiding principle of a long and often uncertain UPSC journey.
This year, Somya secured All India Rank 346 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, a milestone that came after four attempts, moments of self-doubt, and years of studying largely on her own. Behind this rank lies a story shaped not by coaching classrooms or privileged access, but by persistence, sharp self-correction, and the courage to keep moving after disappointment.
Also read: Priyasha Verma: The IIT Engineer Who Refused to Stop Until UPSC Said Yes
A SMALL-TOWN BEGINNING, A BIG SHIFT
Somya’s journey began in Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh, where she completed her schooling till Class 9. Like many students from small towns, her academic foundation was rooted in Hindi medium.
But Class 10 brought a major change.
She moved to Bhopal, switched to English medium, and continued there until graduation. For many students, changing the language of learning can be unsettling. For Somya, it became one of the earliest adjustments in a life full of transitions.
She pursued her graduation in Sociology, a subject she would later choose as her UPSC optional. That decision would shape much of her preparation.
A FAMILY THAT BACKED HER QUIETLY
Somya comes from a grounded family. Her father works as a government contractor, and while there wasn’t a formal UPSC ecosystem around her, there was support at home.
One of the strongest pillars in her journey was her sister, who was preparing alongside her and later cleared Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission in 2022.
“My sister was preparing with me at the same time. It was a huge support for me at home,” Somya shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.
That companionship became important, especially in the lonely phases of preparation.
NO COACHING, JUST THE INTERNET AND SELF-BELIEF
Unlike many aspirants who move to Delhi or enroll in expensive coaching institutes, Somya built her preparation from home.
Her tools were simple: free online lectures, YouTube videos, toppers’ talks, and guidance from seniors. She only went to Delhi for interview preparation.
“I just took the help of online material, online classes, and the videos that are available freely,” she says.
This self-driven model gave her flexibility, but it also meant figuring out everything alone: what to study, how to study, and when to change strategy.
A FRIEND’S ADVICE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Somya did not always dream of becoming a civil servant.
It was after Class 12, during graduation, that the thought took shape. The push came from an unlikely source, her best friend, who was in state civil services and working in the finance department.
Through him, she first understood what UPSC was and what bureaucracy could offer. That conversation planted the seed. And from there, there was no looking back.
FOUR ATTEMPTS, TWO SELECTIONS, MANY LESSONS
Somya’s UPSC journey was anything but linear. Her first attempt in 2022 was surprisingly strong. She cleared both prelims and mains and even reached the interview stage. But she missed the final list by a few marks.
For many, that kind of near miss can break momentum. Then came 2023, where she couldn’t clear prelims. That phase hit hard.
In 2024, she made a comeback and got selected for the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS).
And now in 2025, with AIR 346, she is likely to join the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).
Each attempt taught her something different. And each failure forced her to rethink.
THE “ONE EXTRA MARK” STRATEGY
One of the biggest shifts Somya made in her later attempts was completely changing her notes. Her focus became simple: make every answer stand out.
“I used one element in every answer that would make it different from others. I always kept in mind that I have to gain that extra one mark.”
That mindset changed everything. Instead of writing ordinary answers, she focused on adding unique dimensions, whether through examples, sociological thinkers, or sharper structuring.
She also prioritized mains over prelims. For Somya, mains was where ranks were built. This meant writing tests regularly, revising aggressively, and building notes that worked for her, not borrowed blindly from toppers.
THE INTERVIEW FEAR SHE HAD TO FIX
There was one pattern she noticed after her first attempt, her interview marks needed work. So, when she got another opportunity, she attacked that weakness directly.
She traveled to Delhi and gave multiple mock interviews. The change helped. This time, she felt far more prepared, not just in knowledge, but in communication and presence.
Interestingly, much of her interview revolved around women empowerment, sociology, and the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, given her connection to Bhopal.
THE DARKEST PHASE
Somya says the hardest phase came during COVID.
She had just entered college. The world shut down. She couldn’t get her dream college. There was no coaching, no clear roadmap, and no one to guide her.
“I was doing all things on my own. There was no one who could guide me. That was one of the darkest periods,” she told Indian Masterminds.
Then came the pain of missing the final list after interview and later failing prelims. Those phases tested her mentally. But instead of stopping, she kept refining.
And eventually, the rank followed.
HER MESSAGE TO ASPIRANTS
Today, Somya’s story is a reminder that preparation doesn’t have to look perfect to work.
You can start from a small town. You can switch mediums. You can fail. You can study from home. And still make it.
Her advice is simple:
“Without getting impacted by the results, we have to focus on our goal. We have to see how to go ahead and let go of the negative things in life.”
For thousands of aspirants staring at uncertainty, Somya Jain’s journey offers something important, not easy motivation, but practical proof that progress often comes quietly, one attempt at a time.
Also read: Vivek Yadav: A Driver’s Son Who Cracked UPSC Twice to Become an IPS Officer
