Where tradition often dictates the path of young minds, one woman’s journey defied expectations and broke barriers. Despite her father’s desire for her to follow in his engineering footsteps, she chose to carve out her own destiny in the world of fashion and design. This is the story of IRS Neetika Vilash who started as a fashion designer and graphic artist, only to be driven by a powerful movie to serve her nation in a different capacity.
In an insightful conversation with Indian Masterminds Ms. Vilash shared details about her journey from fashion designer to the corridors of power.
Early Life and Education
Hailing from Lucknow, she completed her schooling at CMS. With a strong aptitude for mathematics and computers, she consistently achieved high marks, scoring in the 90th percentile. Her father, an engineer, naturally expected her to pursue a similar path. However, her adventurous spirit and desire to do something different led her to fashion design. “It was definitely a shock to him, as he always wanted me to pursue engineering. Back then, fashion design wasn’t a lucrative career. But I was admant,” Ms. Vilash shared.
Passion for Fashion
Her journey in fashion began at Amity School of Fashion and Technology, where she not only excelled academically but also earned a gold medal and a scholarship for her meritorious performance. Her passion for design did not stop there; she went on to complete her master’s in communication design from NIFT Delhi and topped an examination at Pearl Academy of Fashion, one of India’s premier institutions.
Turning Point
While she was deeply immersed in the creative world of fashion, a movie changed the course of her life. “Peepli Live,” a film highlighting the issue of farmers’ suicides, struck a chord with her. “This movie made me realize how disconnected I was from the real world. I was unable to sleep for three nights,” she shared with Indian Masterminds. This epiphany was further reinforced when she read about an IAS officer who used design to solve real-world problems by developing raised hand pumps for flood-affected villages.
A New Direction
Motivated by this newfound purpose, she decided to attempt the UPSC exam. Balancing her work as a book designer at Penguin Books and her UPSC preparation, she sought guidance from a faculty member, Mr. Alok Jha, who recognized her potential. “He told me that I can clear UPSC easily and that all I have to do is leave my job and focus on preparation.” His encouragement gave her the confidence to leave her job and focus entirely on her preparation.
Journey to Success
The path was not easy. Her first attempt did not yield the desired results. With a practical timeline and a backup plan in mind, she continued her efforts. In her second attempt, she cleared the prelims, and by her third attempt, she had made it to the interview stage and secured a position in the Indian Revenue Service. “As soon as my father heard the news, he booked the next flight to Delhi, hugged me, cried 5 times, and said you made us proud,” IRS Neetika Vilash shared with a smile.
Balancing Roles
As a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax in Pune, she has utilized her design skills to improve her office environment and streamline operations. Her ability to find solutions and her technological prowess have made significant impacts in her professional role. Balancing her demanding job with motherhood, she said, “My husband and I have divided our duties 50-50 and manage the work accordingly.”
Message to Aspirants
Her journey offers valuable insights for UPSC aspirants. She emphasizes the importance of passion, practicality, and self-belief. “Have a plan B,” she advises, acknowledging the low success rate of the exam.
From fashion designer to IRS officer, her journey is a compelling narrative of following one’s heart, overcoming obstacles, and finding a purpose that transcends personal ambition. Her story inspires not only future civil servants but also anyone who dares to dream beyond the conventional paths laid out before them.
