Reet Sundaram’s story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering dream to serve her country. After five consecutive years of heartbreak in the fiercely competitive civil services examinations, Reet transformed her setbacks into stepping stones. With grit and a strategic approach, she not only cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021 but also aced several other tough competitive exams, including UPPCS and BPSC. She secured 21st rank in the reserve list and was selected for the Indian Post and Telecommunications Finance and Accounts Service. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief.
“For five years, I faced failure after failure,” Reet shared on a media platform, her voice steady with resolve. “But every time I fell, I got back up, determined to find out where I went wrong and how I could improve.”
A HUMBLE BEGINNING IN SAHARSA
Reet’s journey began in the small district of Saharsa, Bihar, where she was born into a family that valued education deeply. Her mother, a state services officer, and her father, a dedicated tutor, instilled in her a love for learning. Growing up in an environment where academic excellence was celebrated, Reet excelled in her studies and harboured dreams of making a difference through public administration.
After completing her formal education, she began working in a well-paying job at TCS. However, the allure of corporate success couldn’t overshadow her calling. “I wanted to be part of policy-making and contribute to India’s development at the highest level,” she says. In pursuit of this dream, she left her secure job and moved to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination.
BATTLING SETBACKS
Reet’s initial attempts at the UPSC examination were met with disappointment. Each year, she fell short, grappling with the intense competition and vast syllabus. “I thought being a good student would make it easier, but I was unprepared for the unique challenges of this exam,” Reet admits. The failures were demoralizing, but they also pushed her to analyze her weaknesses and refine her approach.
She diversified her efforts, attempting exams like UPPCS, BPSC, and others. These experiences broadened her understanding of competitive exams and provided valuable insights into different formats and expectations. Gradually, Reet’s persistence began to pay off. She cleared the UPPCS in 2019 and followed it up with success in the 2020 edition. Her confidence grew with every triumph, setting the stage for her ultimate goal: cracking the UPSC.
THE WINNING STRATEGY
Reet attributes her eventual success to a combination of self-discipline, strategic planning, and effective time management. She meticulously prepared for the preliminary exams, focusing on mastering the core subjects of history, polity, and current affairs. She supplemented her preparation with practice papers and previous years’ question banks.”I realized the importance of consistency,” Reet explains.
“You don’t have to be perfect every day, but you need to show up, put in the effort, and trust the process.”For the mains, Reet chose anthropology as her optional subject, dedicating months to perfecting her understanding of the syllabus and developing her answer-writing skills. Regular discussions with peers and mentors helped her refine her perspective, while practice tests improved her speed and accuracy. By the time she faced the interview stage, Reet had not only built an impressive knowledge base but also developed the confidence to present her ideas with clarity.
GIVING BACK AND INSPIRING OTHERS
Reet’s success story is not just about personal achievement but also about inspiring others. She often shares her strategies and lessons learned with aspirants, emphasizing the importance of patience and resilience. “This journey taught me that success is not always linear,” she reflects. “Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.”
Today, as an IAS officer, Reet is living her dream of shaping policies and making a meaningful impact. Her journey from Saharsa to the corridors of power is a beacon of hope for countless aspirants across the country. It reminds them that with determination and the right mindset, no dream is too distant to achieve.
