On April 22nd, while the internet buzzed with speculations about the UPSC results, SanskritiTrivedy tried to calm her nerves in the pleasant hills of Shimla. She was there on a week-long trip with fellow probationers as part of her Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) training. Laughter filled the air as she chatted with friends, but inside, the familiar jitters were creeping in.
After hours of waiting, she convinced herself that maybe, just maybe, the result wouldn’t come that day. She shifted focus to other things, trying to enjoy the moment. But then, a friend walked in with a grin and gave her the shock of a lifetime – Sanskriti had not only cleared the exam, but had secured All India Rank 17 in UPSC CSE 2024.
“I just froze,” she recalls, laughing. “I couldn’t believe it. I had imagined clearing it, but 17th rank? That was never in the picture!”, she told to Indian Masterminds
A FAMILIAR FACE IN THE HEADLINES
This wasn’t Sanskriti’s first time cracking the UPSC exam. In 2023, she had already made news by securing Rank 352 and joining the IDAS. But what made her stand out then was her fearless honesty – she declared publicly that she would attempt the exam again.
And she did. This was her sixth and final attempt, and it was the one that finally got her the dream service she had been striving for.
WINGS FROM DELHI
Hailing from Jamui, Bihar, Sanskriti grew up in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where her father, a civil engineer in a public sector company, was posted. Her schooling was completed from Ranchi, and by the time she reached 11th grade, she had made up her mind – civil services was the path.
She pursued Political Science from Gargi College, Delhi University, followed by a master’s degree in International Relations from JNU. Her academic foundation would later shape her optional subject – Political Science and International Relations (PSIR)-in the UPSC exam.
FROM MISSED PRELIMS TO IDAS
The road wasn’t smooth. Sanskriti failed to clear prelims in her first two attempts. In 2021, she reached Mains but couldn’t go further. Then in 2022, she cracked it and got Rank 352.
Though proud of making it, she wasn’t fully content. “I had a good job and was undergoing training, but I knew I had to give it one last try,” she says.
But fate tested her again-she failed to clear Prelims in 2023. Many would have given up. She didn’t.
LESSONS FROM MISTAKES
Sanskriti is candid about what went wrong in her earlier attempts.
“One big mistake was ignoring revision. Prelims needs constant practice,” she says. “The syllabus is vast. I didn’t give enough attention to previous year questions and test series in the beginning-and that cost me.”
She also admits she underplayed Essay and Ethics papers in Mains. “Those two areas really pull your rank up or down,” she adds.
Her advice? “Stick to the syllabus. Solve PYQs. Have an integrated strategy. Don’t prepare for Prelims and Mains as two different worlds.”
HER DAF ADVICE : Be Real
Sanskriti also has a word of caution for aspirants filling out the DAF (Detailed Application Form) for the interview.
“Don’t write anything that isn’t true. You can improve your personality, but you can’t change it overnight. Be honest. Even if you don’t have some flashy hobby, it’s okay. That doesn’t define your entire personality.”
ROLE OF PARENTS
Her parents were her pillars throughout. During her low moments, especially after missed prelims or unsatisfactory ranks, their support kept her going.
“This exam will test everything—your patience, your belief, your discipline. You’ll have weak moments, but you have to rise again.”
She doesn’t endorse rigid routines but believes in controlling each day. “If you’ve decided to complete something today, make sure you do it. That kind of daily discipline matters more than any fancy timetable.”
A WORD OF CAUTION
Despite her deep commitment, Sanskriti never blindly idealized UPSC. She was clear about her Plan B – academia.
“If it didn’t work out, I would have pursued teaching. You should love this journey, but not worship it blindly,” she says.
Her final message to aspirants? “Treat UPSC like any other exam. If you’re doing it, be 100% sure of why you want to become a civil servant.”
