Meet Medha Anand, a bright light among the UPSC hopefuls whose path from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh to obtaining AIR-13 shows signs of fortitude, determination, and an unshakeable dedication to service.As the only daughter of her parents, Medha’s journey embodies the essence of perseverance against all odds.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, she shared details about her journey.
EARLY LIFE AND INSPIRATION
Medha hails from a modest background, being the only daughter of her parents. Her father serves as the Chief General Manager in UPSRTC Roadways, stationed in Lucknow, while her mother holds the position of Assistant Joint Manager in PNB, currently posted in Meerut.
Growing up, Medha witnessed firsthand the struggles of the less privileged, which ignited her passion for social service. It was a pivotal moment when she observed her house help facing personal issues, prompting her to contemplate ways to alleviate their suffering. Upon discussing the matter with her mother, she was advised that real change could only be brought about by wielding the power of an IAS officer, planting the seed of ambition in her mind.
THE JOURNEY OF UPS AND DOWNS
Medha embarked on her UPSC journey with determination, facing both triumphs and tribulations along the way. Her journey spans five attempts, each marked by its own challenges and lessons.
In her second attempt in 2019, she secured AIR-311, earning a spot in the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS). However, undeterred by setbacks, Medha persisted, facing disappointment in subsequent attempts, including narrowly missing the cutoff in 2020 and failing to clear prelims in 2021.
Despite moments of heartbreak, Medha refused to succumb to despair, regaining her resolve with each setback.Medha’s perseverance bore fruit in her fifth attempt, as she emerged victorious with AIR-13 in UPSC CSE 2023.
“I didn’t expect to be in the top 20. I was not even expecting to see my name in the list. My friend called me and told me about my result and then I passed the information to my parents. Everyone was ecstatic. It was one of the happiest days of my life,” she shared with Indian Masterminds.
STRATEGIC EVOLUTION AND SUCCESS
Throughout her journey, Medha exhibited a willingness to adapt and evolve her approach. Recognizing the importance of a strategic shift, she focused primarily on her Mains preparation in her final attempt, a decision that proved instrumental in her success.
Opting for sociology as her optional subject, Medha leveraged her interest in the field to bolster her performance, recognizing its potential as both engaging and scoring.
“One can never be sure if they will get into the list or not. It is so unpredictable and dicey. Only our efforts and hard work matter” she stated.
FUTURE ASPIRATIONS
For Medha, securing AIR-13 is not merely a culmination of her efforts but a stepping stone towards her greater aspirations.
Reflecting on an incident, she shared, “I remember how I used to save my empty pens and keep them in my room. I didn’t know my friends were stacking up those empty pens but right before I was going to give the exam, they showed me that stack and asked me to keep in mind how much I have studied for this exam and how desperately I want my name in the list. Their motivation really made me feel overwhelmed.”
With a steadfast commitment to women empowerment, she envisions a future where she can leverage her position as an IAS officer to effect positive change in society.
MESSAGE FOR ASPIRANTS
A tip that she would like to give to her fellow aspirants is- “Don’t let CSAT slip away and prepare hard for it. Give practice tests from various coachings but don’t get disheartened from them. They are a source of learning. Have a very good support system, somebody you can rant to whenever you don’t feel good. This will help you immensely.”
As Medha sets her sights on a future dedicated to serving society, her triumph stands as a testament to the transformative potential of individuals committed to effecting positive change.
