In the corridors of memory, back to her days in eighth grade, Rupali Surana’s father imparted to her the intricacies of administration, illuminating the responsibilities of civil servants. This simple yet profound conversation planted a seed in her impressionable mind, a seed that would germinate into a lifelong aspiration.
From that moment on, every decision Rupali made revolved around chasing and realizing this dream. Through ups and downs, moments of learning and unlearning, her unwavering determination carried her forward. Even in moments of doubt, when the prospect of giving up loomed large, she persevered.
Finally, in her last attempt, Rupali achieved what she had set out to do, securing AIR 386 in the UPSC CSE 2023. Reflecting on her journey, she shared with Indian Masterminds, “I can’t express the elation of finally reaching my goal. My path was fraught with challenges, but also invaluable lessons. There were moments when I considered not taking the exam again. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported me and never let me falter.”
THE DREAM
Hailing from a business-oriented family in Rajasthan, Ms. Surana’s upbringing was shaped by the dynamic interplay of her parents’ roles. While her mother dedicated herself to the household, her father’s engagements often intersected with government officials due to his business pursuits. Inspired by these interactions, he harbored a fervent aspiration for his daughter to follow in their footsteps.
Ms. Surana reminisces about a pivotal moment in eighth grade when her father elucidated the nuances of civil services, igniting a collective dream within their family. This early exposure solidified her resolve. Opting for humanities in twelfth grade, with subjects including Political Science, Geography, and Economics, she excelled with an impressive 95% score. This accomplishment paved the way for her admission to Miranda House, Delhi University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts program.
“It was already decided that I have to go for civil services. So, my maternal uncle who is in academics suggested me to go for humanities rather than taking long route of B. Tech”, she added. Following her graduation, Rupali embarked on her journey to conquer the UPSC CSE, facing numerous hurdles along the way. In 2018, her maiden attempt fell short as she narrowly missed the prelims cutoff. Undeterred, she persisted, only to be thwarted by the CSAT in 2019 and again failing to clear prelims in 2020.
The tide seemed to turn in her fourth attempt in 2021, as she not only cleared prelims but also advanced to the interview stage, falling short of the final list by a mere 4-5 marks. Yet, disappointment loomed large as her low essay score proved crucial. With a sense of regret, she reflected, “Even If my essay score had been average, I would have made it.”
The rush of events left little time to prepare for the 2022 prelims, resulting in another setback. Amidst these challenges, she was also preparing for marriage. The failure led her to reassess her career path, prompting her to give back to the community as a mentor in a coaching institute. However, her interaction with aspirants reignited her resolve. Realizing she couldn’t squander her final attempt, she recommitted herself to the UPSC journey. The rest, as they say, is history.
HUSBAND BECAME INSPIRATION
Ms. Surana is married to IPS officer Mr. Amrit Jain of UP cadre. Watching him closely and how he works, made her take the last chance again. “He is really a good officer and has been doing really which inspired me. He also pushed me to try again and work on my weakness without any hesitation”, Ms. Surana told Indian Masterminds.
She also emphasized that while she had moved away from the process but her mind was occupied. She was stuck with her dream and needed someone to push and motivate her. Mr. Jain played that role. He even evaluated her answer sheet and made her aware of on-ground reality which helped her in interview.
CROSSING THE CSAT HURDLE
Being an arts students, CSAT really tested Ms. Surana. In few attempts, she was even ahead of cut off in GS paper but couldn’t qualify CSAT. However, she realized her weakness and improved her performance with continuous practice. On her husband’s advice, she started by solving NCERT books of Mathematics till class 8th and solved 200 questions on each topic. She followed the same strategy in her fourth attempt when she reached the interview and again in her last attempt.
CSAT paper is getting tougher with every year because it is the elimination factor. With practice, one can be confident and avoid a panic situation in exam hall. In her last attempt, her GS paper went very well, so she went with calm mind for CSAT. “That was my moment for make it or break it. I had decided to not panic and pick my questions correctly. I only solved 45 questions including 20 from Mathematics”, added the topper.
LAST TIME IN UPSC
As she stepped into the chamber before the UPSC interview board, a poignant realization dawned upon Rupali Surana – this was her final chance to make her mark in the UPSC arena. Determined to leave no stone unturned, she endeavored to showcase her best self. The interview primarily revolved around her spouse, inquiries delving into his profession within the police force. Being a national-level handball player, Ms. Surana also fielded questions pertaining to her athletic pursuits, even offering a demonstration of the sport.
Reflecting on the experience afterward, she exuded confidence, anticipating a score above 180. Although she had hoped for a higher range, perhaps around 180-185, she remained content with her performance. For her, this opportunity symbolized more than just personal achievement; it signified the chance to contribute to the nation and become part of a cherished fraternity. With a sense of fulfillment, she concluded, “I am grateful for what I have achieved. This journey has opened doors for me to serve my country.”
