https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

IFS or Nothing: Why Shreya Tyagi Gave Up ITS, IDAS And IRS for Her Real Dream | Exclusive

From a curious young girl in Bahrain to an Indian Foreign Service officer, Shreya’s pursuit of diplomacy was never a detour but destiny that motivated her to secure AIR-31 in UPSC CSE 2024.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Born in Delhi and raised across various cities, Shreya Tyagi’s early life was a mosaic of experiences, thanks to her father’s transferable job. “I changed a lot of schools,” she says, recalling how her upbringing shaped her outlook. But one particular phase left a lasting impression – her four years in Bahrain.

“I did my 12th from Bahrain, and that’s where I first saw the Indian Embassy at work,” Shreya shared with Indian Masterminds in an exclusive interview. “It really fascinated me as a teenager. The idea of diplomacy, the scale of influence, the intellectual range – everything drew me in.”

Her academic choices echoed that calling. Shreya pursued both her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science and International Relations in Delhi. “It always felt like an ocean of knowledge I wanted to dive into,” she smiles.

A DREAM CALLED IFS

While many come to the Civil Services Examination with multiple options in mind, for Shreya, it was always about one destination: the Indian Foreign Service.

“I came to civil services because there was no other way to become a diplomat,” she explains. “Even after joining another service, that desire didn’t fade. That’s why I kept going.”

Indeed, Shreya had already donned the hat of an officer in IDAS, ITS, and IRS Service, but she knew her heart still longed for the corridors of diplomacy. And so, after five earnest attempts, she sat for her sixth – this time with a quiet resolve rather than grand expectations.

THE FINAL LEAP

Unlike dramatic makeovers, Shreya’s success wasn’t born out of a completely new strategy. “To be honest, I didn’t change much in terms of preparation,” she admits. “But what really shifted was my mindset.

Instead of being overwhelmed by the enormity of her ambition, she broke it down into manageable, daily goals. “It wasn’t like, ‘I must crack IFS this time.’ It was more like, ‘I need to finish today’s targets.’ That made the pressure disappear.”

She approached her sixth attempt with calm discipline, planning smart, studying around 8 hours a day, and keeping her environment steady. The rest, as they say, fell into place.

BALANCING THE BADGE AND THE BOOKS

Preparing for UPSC while serving as an officer is no small feat. Time, focus, and energy are all tested constantly. So, how did she manage?

“Prioritization was key. Once you know the terrain of the exam, it becomes a little easier to navigate. I carved out time for studies while handling my duties; it’s all about setting the right priorities,” she shared with Indian Masterminds.

THE FINAL INTERVIEW

Shreya’s final UPSC interview took place on the last day of the board schedule, under Sheel Vardhan Singh, a board known for its analytical depth.

“It was actually my first interview where I came out feeling good,” she laughs. “Most of the questions were based on my DAF, especially my background in IDAS and interests like historical fiction.”

One particularly memorable exchange was a discussion on whether she would prioritize “history or fiction” in historical fiction writing. “It was philosophical and engaging,” she recalls. “It wasn’t just about facts, it was a conversation.”

GUILTY PLEASURES AND GROUNDING ROUTINES

A dedicated aspirant, yes – but never one to lead a monastic life. Shreya found ways to include little joys in her daily routine.

“I always had some time for myself,” she says. “Whether it was cooking my breakfast or going for a run in the evening, those moments helped me stay grounded.”

Growing up with extracurriculars, she found it hard to focus on just one thing. But over the years, she trained herself to “sit in one chair for hours,” a discipline hard-earned and ultimately rewarding.

A DREAM FULFILLED, A JOURNEY SHARED

For Shreya Tyagi, AIR-31 in UPSC CSE 2024 was more than just a rank; it was a homecoming to her first love: international diplomacy.

With humility, hard work, and quiet strength, she turned her childhood fascination with embassies into a lifelong commitment to representing India on the world stage.

“I was lucky to be supported by my family throughout,” she adds. “Living with my parents gave me the emotional space to keep going.”

A WILL TO WORK IN CHINA

Despite the many prestigious roles available within the Indian Foreign Service, Shreya Tyagi nurtured a particular interest in working in China. Her fascination stemmed from a deep curiosity about China’s complex geopolitical influence, rich cultural history, and evolving diplomatic relations with India.

She believes that understanding China is crucial to India’s foreign policy strategy in the 21st century. With her academic background in Political Science and International Relations, she hopes to contribute meaningfully to India’s diplomatic missions in the region and strengthen bilateral ties through nuanced engagement and informed dialogue.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
PESB Declines to Recommend CMD for Hindustan Shipyard; Ministry May Extend Current Chief’s Tenure
IAS Ajitabh Sharma
“80% of Time Spent on Non-Core Tasks”: Rajasthan Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma Questions IAS Work Culture, Calls for Reform
Nitin Gadkari
India to Become Net Energy Exporter in 6-7 Years, Highlights Hydrogen and Biofuels: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Bank of India - BOI
Bank of India Plans to Raise Rs 20,000 Crore via Infrastructure Bonds in FY 2025-26
BEML Limited
For Operational Excellence, BEML Lays Foundation of State-of-the-Art Central Warehousing Centre in Bilaspur
rec-logo
Green Energy Boost: REC Forms New Subsidiary for 3GW Ananthapuram-II REZ Transmission Project
Bhupendra Patel CM Gujarat
CM Bhupendra Patel’s Pro-People Move: Uniform House Tax of ₹200 Annually for Rural Government-Assisted Homes in Gujarat
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar: Gaya to Become Bihar’s Largest Industrial Township Under AKIC; ₹16,524 Cr Investment Expected
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Retired Officers Lead 7-Day Mission to Revive Betwa River with 55 Check Dams | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
PESB Declines to Recommend CMD for Hindustan Shipyard; Ministry May Extend Current Chief’s Tenure
IAS Ajitabh Sharma
“80% of Time Spent on Non-Core Tasks”: Rajasthan Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma Questions IAS Work Culture, Calls for Reform
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT