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.
