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
RBI
RBI Proposes Mandatory Unique Transaction Identifier for OTC Derivative Trades from April 2026
INS Trikand
Indian Navy’s INS Trikand Executes Heroic Firefighting and Rescue Operation on MT Falcon in Gulf of Aden
gghghghg
Defence Acquisition Council Approves Rs 79,000 Crore for Advanced Military Systems to Boost India’s Defence Capabilities
Bank_of_Baroda_signed_agreement_
Bank of Baroda Enhances Maharashtra Vital Statistics Operations with Advanced Agency Banking Integration
_BPCL_IandC_team_
BPCL Launches ‘Suraksha Bandhan’ Safety Initiative, Reaching Over 12,000 People Across India
Bank of Baroda
Financial Results: Bank of Baroda Board to Approve Q2 and Half-Year Unaudited Financial Results on October 31, 2025
Sandeep Lathar
Political Pressure Behind ASI’s Suicide? Wife Accuses IPS Officer’s Family, MLAs in FIR, Seeks CBI Inquiry
Special Campaign 5.0
Swachhata Takes Centre Stage: Government Launches ‘Special Campaign 5.0’ across Key Ministries to Clear Backlogs & Boost Office Hygiene
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
RBI
RBI Proposes Mandatory Unique Transaction Identifier for OTC Derivative Trades from April 2026
INS Trikand
Indian Navy’s INS Trikand Executes Heroic Firefighting and Rescue Operation on MT Falcon in Gulf of Aden
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