Quit MBBS, cracked UPSC with zero coaching and four months preparation, THIS UPSC topper was inspired by…, her name is…

IAS Taruni Pandey quit her MBBS studies to pursue her dream of becoming a civil servant, and achieved that goal with just four months of dedicated preparation.

UPSC Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), arguably one of the toughest recruitment tests in India, normally requires years of preparation and dedicated coaching classes to prepare aspirants for the formidable test. However, there are a few who, on the back of their sheer dedication and singular focus, are able to achieve the impossible by acing the tough exam with just a few months of self-study and zero coaching.

One such inspirational story is that of UPSC topper IAS Taruni Pandey, who quit her MBBS studies to pursue her dream of becoming a civil servant, an achieved that goal with just four months of dedicated preparation.

Who is IAS Taruni Pandey?

Born in a middle-income home in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, but raised in Jamtara, Jharkhand, Taruni Pandey was exposed to an education-oriented and studious environment at home as both her parents are government employees. Growing up, Taruni was always an exceptional student in school and desired to become a doctor.

After her schooling, Taruni Pandey earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English literature from IGNOU, and later pursued her dream of becoming a doctor, but fate had something else in store as health issues forced her to quit MBBS studies during her second year, prompting the young woman to explore new career avenues.

How a tragic event inspired Taruni Pandey?

A crucial moment, which changed Taruni’s perspective on life, and inspired her to become an IAS officer, came when her brother-in-law, a CRPF captain, was martyred in action. The event took a toll on her, but also served as an inspiration as she witnessed IAS officers and top bureaucrats coming forward to help her family.

Taruni made up her mind and immediately engrossed herself in preparation for UPSC CSE by relying on self-study, online resources such as YouTube, and her own notes. Unlike majority of aspirants, Taruni Pandey did not opt for coaching classes and instead trusted her own study plan to crack the tough exam.

Taruni Pandey UPSC rank

After just four months or 120 days of preparation, Taruni Pandey was ready to appear in the 2020 UPSC Prelims, but COVID-19 outbreak derailed her plans. This was a major setback as Taruni realized that her next UPSC attempt would be her last because of the age limit for Open Merit or general category candidates.

However, Taruni’s hard work and dedication bore fruit when she aced the UPSC CSE in 2021 with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 14, and achieved her dream of becoming an IAS officer.