Failed in Class 10th, Class 12th, cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, became IAS Officer at…, she is…

Hailing from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, IAS Anju Sharma once failed her class 12 economics exam.

The Civil Services Examination is one of the most challenging exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The exam is held in three phases: prelims, mains, and interview. Over the past few months, several IAS and IPS officers’ inspirational journeys have gone viral. These stories serve as a source of powerful motivation for young Indians preparing for the Civil Services Examination. What if we tell you about an aspiring officer who once failed in Class 10th, 12th, still never lost hope and cracked the UPSC exam in her first attempt, became an IAS Officer at…, her name is…

Who is the candidate who failed twice in school but still became an IAS officer?

She is Anju Sharma. Hailing from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, IAS Anju Sharma once failed her class 12 economics exam. This event devastated her and filled her mind with uncertainty about what she could become in the future.

What challenges did she face after failing in Class 10th and 12th?

However, she landed back on her feet, earning distinctions in several other subjects. She also experienced failure in Chemistry during her Class 10 Pre-Board Examinations. Anju Sharma demonstrates determination,  courage, and ultimately, success. Despite this, Anju Sharma currently views both of these life experiences as blessings that shaped her future. In an interview with a publication, she stated that at one point, she had a significant amount of the syllabus remaining to study, and panic began to set in after dinner. Anju shares that she was feeling unprepared for her examination and believed she was going to fail.

Which turning point motivated her to attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination?

Due to the stress associated with not having enough time to study, Anju cried. Her performance in the pre-board exams also declined due to the pressure. Fortunately for Anju, she had the support of her parents. Her mother helped her through her moment of panic and motivated her.

Therefore, through these two incidents, Anju learned an important lesson: Never depend on last-minute studying. Students should pay attention to the syllabus from the beginning, so that they can do well in college. Anju’s commitment to doing so paid off, as she graduated with a Gold Medal for her college education. Anju completed both B.Sc. and MBA from Jaipur.

Anju received outstanding recognition for the hard work she put into her studies over the years. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in honors (BSc) and received a gold medal for this accomplishment. Subsequently, following completion of her degree, Anju chose to further her studies by earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Within a very short period of time, Anju decided to begin preparing for the UPSC examination so that she might reach her ultimate goal.

When did she clear the UPSC exam and become an IAS officer?

Anju Sharma approached the UPSC Civil Services examination with the same level of diligence that had helped her succeed in her previous academic pursuits. She didn’t view the UPSC examination as the most important test of her future. Instead, Anju regarded the UPSC examination as “just another exam”, intending on clearing it in only one attempt. Anju completed her syllabus far in advance and was relaxed and carefree during the days leading up to the examination.

At the age of 22, Anju Sharma became the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after successfully clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her first attempt. The success of Anju Sharma is an excellent example of how an early failure does not define your future. With motivation and focus, anyone can achieve their goals. IAS Anju Sharma belongs to the Gujarat cadre and based on her serving history, she was first appointed as the Assistant Collector for Rajkot in 1991.