In a quiet village of Dagdaua in Madhya Pradesh’s Mauganj district, a young girl once carried a simple but powerful ambition… to join the civil services. Years later, that dream would demand far more than she had imagined.
Samiksha Dwivedi did not arrive at success quickly. Her journey unfolded slowly, shaped by setbacks, long preparation cycles, and moments that could have easily pushed her to give up. Instead, each phase added something to her story: depth, clarity, and a sharper sense of purpose.
ROOTS OF DISCIPLINE AND ASPIRATION
Born into a family that valued education, Samiksha grew up in an environment where learning was encouraged and ambition was quietly nurtured. Her father, Srinivas Dwivedi, served as a Regional Officer in the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board in Bhopal, while her mother, Sunita Dwivedi, played a constant role in supporting her journey.
Her schooling in Indore revealed early signs of academic strength. But beyond marks and ranks, it was her growing interest in public service that set her apart. The idea of becoming a civil servant wasn’t sudden; it developed over time, becoming a steady goal she chose to pursue.
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BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
Samiksha’s academic journey reflects both technical depth and managerial exposure. She pursued B.Tech in Computer Science from SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, stepping into the world of engineering like many ambitious students.
After graduation, she worked as a software engineer, gaining firsthand experience in the corporate sector. But the pull toward civil services remained.
She later pursued an MBA from IIT Kanpur, adding a new dimension to her skill set. This combination of engineering and management shaped her analytical thinking, decision-making approach, and clarity in expression: qualities that would later become crucial in the UPSC examination.
BALANCING WORK, STABILITY, AND A LARGER GOAL
Unlike many aspirants who dedicate themselves entirely to preparation, Samiksha’s path involved juggling responsibilities. She cleared the IBPS PO exam and worked as a Probationary Officer at Canara Bank.
Managing a demanding job while preparing for one of the toughest examinations in the country is no small feat. It required careful time management, prioritization, and a constant balancing act between stability and ambition.
This phase of her life reflects a reality many aspirants face: pursuing a secure career while holding on to a bigger goal.
FIVE ATTEMPTS, COUNTLESS LESSONS
Samiksha’s UPSC journey was anything but smooth.
Her first attempt in 2021 ended at the prelims stage. For many, this would have been discouraging, but for her, it became a starting point to rebuild her preparation from the ground up.
In 2022, she cleared prelims but fell short in the mains examination. The progress was evident, but so was the gap she needed to bridge.
The real turning point came in 2023. She reached the interview stage, one of the most challenging phases of the exam. But the final list did not include her name. She missed selection by just 18 marks.
Eighteen marks.
A number small enough to measure, yet heavy enough to test patience and belief.
In 2024, she once again made it to the interview stage. And once again, the final result went against her.
At this stage, many would have stepped away. But Samiksha chose to return, one more time.
A PERSONAL MILESTONE ALONG THE WAY
Amidst preparation and repeated attempts, life moved forward in other ways too. Samiksha got married, adding a new dimension to her journey. Her husband, who works at Bank of India, became part of her support system.
Balancing personal life alongside UPSC preparation is a challenge in itself. It demands emotional stability, understanding, and the ability to stay focused despite changing responsibilities.
REFINING STRATEGY, STRENGTHENING APPROACH
By the time she entered her fifth attempt, Samiksha was no longer experimenting; she was refining.
Her preparation had evolved through years of experience. She focused heavily on answer writing, structuring her responses with clarity and depth. Her background in engineering and management helped her approach questions analytically, while her repeated interview experiences improved her communication and composure.
She chose History as her optional subject and performed strongly, scoring around 299 marks. Her consistency across stages became her biggest strength.
THE FIFTH ATTEMPT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
In 2025, the effort finally aligned with the outcome.
Samiksha Dwivedi secured All India Rank 56 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
This result was not the outcome of a single year’s preparation; it was the accumulation of five years of learning, adapting, and continuing despite setbacks.
MORE THAN A RANK
What makes Samiksha’s story stand out is not just the rank, but the journey behind it.
An engineer who stepped into the corporate world.
A banker managing a demanding job.
An aspirant who faced repeated setbacks.
A candidate who came within 18 marks of selection.
A married woman balancing personal and professional commitments.
And finally, a civil servant.
Her journey reflects the reality of UPSC preparation: long, uncertain, and deeply personal.
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