https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Balancing Pregnancy, Career, and UPSC Preparation

Padmini Sehrawat's journey to becoming an IRS officer involved balancing UPSC preparation, a demanding career, and pregnancy. What was her strategic approach that led to success in her second attempt?
Indian Masterminds Stories

Padmini Sehrawat’s journey to becoming an IRS officer is anything but ordinary. While preparing for one of the toughest exams in the country, she was also managing a demanding career and navigating the challenges of pregnancy. In her second attempt, Padmini not only cracked the UPSC but did so with a stellar rank, showing that with the right approach and focus, it’s possible to achieve great things, even under pressure.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared details about her preparation and struggles.

A DECISION TO SHIFT GEARS

Padmini’s career began in the private sector, where she worked with ICICI Bank. However, she knew that her aspirations lay elsewhere. “I realized that to achieve what I truly wanted, I needed to make a significant change. The private sector job didn’t give me the flexibility I needed to pursue my UPSC preparation, so I decided to take the plunge,” she shares.

After resigning from her job, Padmini made a strategic shift to the Ministry of Tourism, a role that allowed her to take weekends off and focus more on her studies. Despite her busy schedule, Padmini found ways to maximize her time.

“Even when work demanded late hours, I made sure to squeeze in as much study time as I could. My evenings became sacred for studying,” she told Indian Masterminds.

PRIORITIZING HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Amidst her hectic schedule, Padmini was also pregnant during her preparation phase. This added an extra layer of complexity, but she didn’t let it derail her progress.

“I made sure to take daily breaks to manage my health. A 25-minute break during the day for a walk or rest was essential. I also focused on eating well and staying hydrated,” she explains.

For her, maintaining physical health was as important as preparing mentally for the exam. She credits this balance for helping her stay productive.

THE PREPARATION PROCESS

Padmini was meticulous in her preparation strategy. She understood that effective time management and the right resources would make all the difference. “I limited the number of resources I used. Instead of drowning in too many books, I focused on what was essential and relevant,” she says.

One of her key strategies was ensuring multiple revisions of each subject. “I did at least five revisions of each subject, with a focus on high-return areas like quality and modern history,” she adds.

She also chose unconventional resources that worked best for her. For example, instead of using traditional geography books, she relied on specific sources like TMFIS. “Each source had to align with the UPSC syllabus and provide comprehensive yet concise content,” she notes. This streamlined approach helped her avoid the confusion that many aspirants face when overloaded with too much information.

SHIFTING STRATEGY FOR THE RIGHT RESULT

In her first attempt, Padmini chose a finance and strategy optional subject. While she worked hard, the subject didn’t yield the results she hoped for. After analyzing her performance, she decided to switch to Commerce and Accountancy for her second attempt, a subject she felt had better overlap with her management background.

“I learned from my first attempt that the optional subject was crucial. It was important to pick one that not only suited my strengths but also had good overlap with other subjects in the syllabus,” she shared with Indian Masterminds.

This switch proved to be a key factor in her success in the second attempt, where she secured an impressive rank.

THE BALANCING ACT

One of the most challenging aspects of her journey was managing both family responsibilities and preparation. “There was a lot to juggle—studies, work, and family. I had to cut back on social gatherings, and that meant missing out on birthdays and events. But my family understood my priorities, and that support was invaluable,” she says.

The ability to balance these demands came down to one core principle: time management. Padmini kept her study schedule tight and focused, even when her family needed her attention.

She emphasizes, “It’s not about doing everything at once but about managing your time well. The little sacrifices you make today will pay off in the long run.”

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ASPIRANTS

Reflecting on her journey, Padmini has some advice for future aspirants: “Success in UPSC comes down to your consistency and your ability to stay focused. Everyone has their own path; some may take longer, but if you’re dedicated, it will work out.”

She also underscores the importance of taking care of one’s health during preparation. “Don’t neglect your well-being. A healthy body supports a sharp mind.”

Padmini’s story is a blueprint for success that goes beyond exam preparation—it’s about how to balance priorities, manage challenges, and stay true to one’s vision.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NALCO
NALCO Refutes Reports of Capex Deferral, Confirms Rs 30,000 Crore Smelter Expansion is on Track - Know the Matter
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
NCL Signs MoU to Support Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Singrauli - All Details Inside
Ruchika Chauhan IAS
Leading By Example: Gwalior DC Ruchika Chauhan Arrives At Her Office Boarding An E-Rickshaw! Delivers A Strong Message On World Environment Day
KVIC Khadi and Village Industries
KVIC Disburses Rs. 300 Crore Margin Money Subsidy Under PMEGP to Boost Self-Employment - Details Inside
HUDCO New Logo
HUDCO Champions Green Urban Development on World Environment Day 2025
Mayur Dixit IAS
Who is IAS Mayur Dixit, the New DM of Haridwar? Uttarakhand Bureaucracy in Buzz Amid Land Scam Fallout
Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, Delhi1
IRSME Ashwani Lohani Appointed Director of Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, Delhi - Know More About Him & the Historic Institution
World Environment Day
PSUs Observe World Environment Day 2025 with Strong Commitment to Sustainability and Green Practices - Check Here!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NALCO
NALCO Refutes Reports of Capex Deferral, Confirms Rs 30,000 Crore Smelter Expansion is on Track - Know the Matter
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
NCL Signs MoU to Support Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Singrauli - All Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT