UPSC Aspirant to IPS Officer and Social Media Star: Aashna Chaudhary

Many dream of becoming civil servants and serving their nation, but the road to this achievement is challenging. It requires immense hard work, unwavering dedication, perseverance, and resilience. Aashna Chaudhary exemplifies this spirit, overcoming numerous obstacles without ever losing sight of her ambition. An IPS officer who cleared the UPSC exam in 2022 with an impressive rank of 116, Aashna reached this milestone on her third attempt, after facing two consecutive setbacks. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to the strength of determination and self-belief.

Aashna’s small steps to success!

Aashna Chaudhary comes from Pilkhua, a town in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh. Her father, Dr. Ajit Chaudhary, is a professor at a government university, and her mother, Indu Singh, is a homemaker. From a young age, Aashna demonstrated a strong interest in academics and social work. She attended several schools across India, including St. Xavier’s School in Pilkhua, St. Mary’s School in Udaipur, and Delhi Public School in Ghaziabad. A diligent student, she excelled academically, securing 96.5% in her 12th-grade exams with a focus on the humanities.

For higher education, she chose Lady Shri Ram College for Women at Delhi University, where she graduated with a degree in English Literature. She continued her education with a master’s degree in International Relations from the South Asian University, a collaborative initiative among eight SAARC countries. During her studies, Aashna also worked with an NGO focused on educating underprivileged children, underscoring her commitment to social causes.

Aashna’s UPSC Journey

Aashna began her UPSC journey after graduating in 2019, encouraged by her family to pursue a career in civil services. She devoted a year to intense preparation and took the exam for the first time in 2020. However, she did not clear the preliminary stage, the initial and often most challenging hurdle of the UPSC exam. Despite this setback, Aashna remained resolute and decided to attempt the exam again in 2021. She faced disappointment once more, missing the preliminary cutoff by just two and a half marks. Although this failure brought moments of doubt and despair, it did not deter her from her goal.

IPS Officer and Social Media Star

Beyond her achievements in civil service, Aashna has also gained recognition as a social media star. With a strong presence on Instagram, where she has 266K followers, she frequently shares photos and insights from her life. Through her social media platforms, Aashna not only inspires thousands of followers but also demystifies the process of preparing for one of India’s toughest exams. She provides study tips, shares personal experiences, and posts motivational content, encouraging others to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges. Balancing her roles as a civil servant and a social media influencer, Aashna connects with a broad audience, making a significant impact both online and offline.