JAGRATI AWASTHI UPSC 2020-21 Rank-2

Jagriti Awasthi secured the second rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2020, emerging as the top-ranked female candidate. A dedicated aspirant, she left her job as a technical officer at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to focus on her UPSC preparations. Her commitment to hard work and self-study during the pandemic played a pivotal role in her success. Jagriti has credited her family for their unwavering support, particularly her mother, who left her job to help her children with their studies.

Quick Information Table:

Jagriti holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. She had previously excelled in the GATE examination, securing an All India Rank of 51, which led to her employment at BHEL. Despite a successful career in engineering, Jagriti felt a strong desire to pursue civil services and serve the nation, especially in rural development.

Jagriti comes from a supportive middle-class family based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Her father is a homeopathic doctor, her mother a former school teacher, and her younger brother is studying to become a doctor, preparing for NEET. Her family made numerous sacrifices to support her preparation, with her mother even leaving her job to assist both Jagriti and her brother in their respective journeys.

Jagriti's motivation to pursue civil services stemmed from her passion for contributing to society and her interest in rural development, women's welfare, and public service. While she was successful in her engineering career, she felt that civil services would provide her with a broader platform to make a difference. Her desire to serve the nation, coupled with a natural affinity for meeting and working with people, solidified her decision to transition from engineering to the civil services.

Marks Obtained:

Jagriti faced multiple challenges on her journey to becoming a civil servant. In her first attempt in 2019, she was not able to clear the exam, which initially led to feelings of disappointment. However, she didn't give up; instead, she used the experience as a learning opportunity, analyzing her weaknesses and revamping her preparation strategy. The pandemic also posed a significant challenge as she had to shift to self-study and online learning, all while staying disciplined amidst lockdowns. Despite contracting COVID-19 during the second attempt, she stayed committed to her preparation and ultimately succeeded.