When Sanjita Mohapatra was born, her mother had hoped for a boy. So deep was her disappointment that she even considered abandoning her newborn daughter. Yet, despite this initial hesitation, Sanjita’s mother became her greatest pillar of support, ensuring that her daughter received the best education possible, even in the face of financial struggles.
“Although she once wished for a son, she never discriminated between us,” recalls Sanjita. “She sacrificed everything to give us a good education, despite our family’s hardships.”
The struggles were real. At one point, Sanjita’s father, burdened by financial instability, transferred her to a Hindi-medium school to cut costs. But her mother firmly resisted despite her limited education, knowing that quality education was the key to a better future. This decision proved to be life-changing.
IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
Sanjita was always a high achiever. Her journey was never easy, but she was determined. After completing her B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering & Technology, Odisha, she secured a job at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). She worked as an assistant manager for five years, gaining invaluable experience in the public sector.
But something was missing. The dream of becoming an IAS officer never left her. “I learned a lot from SAIL, and it gave me an insight into how a PSU functions,” she says. “But my heart was set on something bigger.”
THE LEAP OF FAITH
Sanjita had attempted the UPSC exam multiple times while studying and even during her tenure at SAIL. Each time, she faced failure. But failure didn’t break her—it only fueled her resolve. In 2018, she made the boldest decision of her life: she resigned from her secure, well-paying job to dedicate herself entirely to UPSC preparation.
This was a high-stakes gamble, considering her family’s financial struggles. However, by this time, she and her sister had ensured financial stability for their parents, even building them a house. With her family secure, Sanjita focused all her energy on her dream.
Her hard work paid off. In 2019, she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam with an outstanding All India Rank of 10. It was the culmination of years of perseverance, resilience, and unshakable determination.
GIVING BACK
Today, as the CEO of Amravati Zilla Parishad, IAS officer Sanjita Mohapatra is committed to empowering others, especially women. She is working tirelessly to strengthen self-help groups (SHGs), providing them with branding, packaging, and marketing support to create a sustainable livelihood for rural women.
Her passion for education hasn’t wavered either. She is focused on improving the quality of education in Zilla Parishad schools, ensuring that every child – regardless of their background – receives the opportunity to succeed, just as she once did.
For Sanjita, clearing the UPSC was never just about personal achievement. It was about giving back to a society that had supported her when she needed it the most. “I don’t dream of changing the world overnight,” she says. “But I do want to start small, connect with people, and solve their basic problems. If I can make them smile, I will consider my work successful.”
