https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

After 4 Failed Prelims, Gunjita’s Breakthrough Came in UPSC 2022 with Top Rank – 26

Gunjita Agarwal was finally able to fulfil her dream of becoming a civil servant when she cracked CSE 2022 in her fifth attempt Never giving up helped her achieve success at one go, sailing through all the stages and soaring to the top with AIR 26 She says mocks just scratch the surface of your knowledge while UPSC panelists demand specifics
Indian Masterminds Stories

UPSC Civil Services Examination is a tough one to crack. While some people are fortunate enough to ace the exam on their first try, it takes others several failed attempts before they ultimately succeed. But what matters is that these candidates keep trying and don’t give up.

Similar is the story of Gunjita Agarwal, who was finally able to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a civil servant when she cracked UPSC CSE 2022 with AIR-26 in her fifth attempt!

Indian Masterminds spoke with her to know more about her journey.

FAMILY

Gunjita’s father is an Assistant Engineer at Employee Selection Board and her mother is a homemaker. Gunjita, the youngest of three siblings, says her family played the most crucial role in her success since they never gave up on her, despite her four failures before passing the exam.

While everyone else was debating which career to pursue after high school, Gunjita was set on cracking UPSC and becoming an IAS officer, which is why she opted to stay in Bhopal, close to her family, to prepare better.

“I hardly prepared in my first two years of graduation. I was mostly involved in social work during college which further strengthened my will to become a civil servant and serve my nation,” she told Indian Masterminds.

FIFTH ATTEMPT

Gunjita began her preparation as she entered her third year of college. However, college work and academics did not allow her to study effectively. So, once she finished college, she made up her mind to entirely focus on her preparation and allowed herself three years to crack UPSC CSE.

“I’ve been taking the exam since 2018, yet I could never pass the preliminary round. This was my fifth attempt, and I gave it while finishing my Post-Graduation at the Indian School of Public Policy. I had technically given up on UPSC after failing last year and decided that this would be my final attempt,” she shared.

She was surprised to learn that she had passed the CS 2022 Prelims and decided to continue studying. Her joy knew no bounds when she cleared both the Mains and the Interview rounds, fulfilling a long-time dream she had almost given up on, and with such an incredible rank.

She chose Sociology as her optional because she has always been interested in working for women’s empowerment, poverty and hunger eradication, and caste system concerns, among other things.

INTERVIEW ROUND

Gunjita claims that the panel only scratches the surface of your knowledge during mock interviews. However, the UPSC panellists want you to be aware of every single element of your surroundings, area, people, and life.

“They demand specifics, and you should give the same. I recall sitting with my DAF (Detailed Application Form) and going over everything I wrote on it. I also thoroughly prepared for current events, particularly the Russian-Ukraine war. Personality is everything. Being confident and humble can help one achieve good grades,” Gunjita shared with Indian Masterminds.

INTERESTING QUESTIONS

Gunjita was also asked about the famous proverb, ‘Kahan Raja Bhoj aur Kahan Gangu Teli’ and the actual lives and history of the two kings mentioned in the phrase. She was also asked about her thoughts on a mixed-gender cricket team and whether the moment is opportune to implement such a team.

“I also follow tennis and used it as a reference for my answer because mixed doubles work incredibly well in tennis, and with the Women’s IPL coming up, I believe the moment is right to introduce mixed-gender teams in cricket,” shared Gunjita.

FUTURE PLANS

The new bureaucrat aims to work on regional difficulties that occur in different states and localities. She feels that by tackling these difficulties, she will be able to automatically empower the residents of the region. She is particularly passionate about connecting education with women and child development, which she believes may make a significant difference in India’s development journey.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
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...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT