ANKITA AGARWAL UPSC 2021-22 Rank-2

Ankita Agarwal secured AIR-2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021. Hailing from Kolkata, she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Ankita cleared the exam on her third attempt, having already secured the 236th rank in her first attempt in 2019, which landed her a position in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Despite this success, she remained determined to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), which she ultimately achieved in 2021.

Quick Information Table:

Ankita did her schooling at DPS Ruby Park in Kolkata. She then pursued her Bachelor's degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University. Before starting her UPSC journey, Ankita worked for a brief period in the corporate sector. However, her passion for public service made her leave the corporate world and focus on preparing for civil services.

Ankita grew up in an extended family setup, under the care of her grandparents and her uncle and aunts. Originally, her family roots are in Bihar. Her father runs a hardware store in the Burrabazar area as a businessman Her mother is a homemaker. Her brother is currently pursuing an MBA in Delhi, they all reside in Kalindi. Ankita expresses deep gratitude towards her family for their unwavering support in her pursuit of becoming an IAS officer. She emphasises that they never imposed their own aspirations on her or pressured her to study rigorously. This support has been invaluable to her in the extensive journey of clearing the UPSC Exam.

Ankita’s motivation for joining the civil services stems from her desire to work at the grassroots level, especially in areas like women’s empowerment and healthcare. She envisions playing an active role in policy implementation that directly impacts the lives of the underserved. Her focus on social issues such as poverty, healthcare, and climate change played a significant role in shaping her decision to pursue a career in the Indian Administrative Service.

Marks Obtained:

Despite her success, Ankita faced multiple challenges throughout her journey. In her first attempt in 2019, she secured a relatively low rank (236th), which placed her in the IRS. While training for the IRS, she prepared for her third attempt in 2021. Balancing training and preparation was demanding, but her dedication and resilience paid off. She also mentioned the mental pressure and emotional strain of the preparation process, yet emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle with sufficient breaks and social interactions to prevent burnout.