Some UPSC success stories inspire aspirants by showing how determination can overcome even the toughest challenges. One such story is that of IAS Surabhi Gautam, who defied all odds to achieve her dream. Hailing from the small village of Amdara in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh, Surabhi’s journey is a testament to hard work, and unwavering dedication. Her story proves that with the right mindset, no obstacle is too big to conquer.
Born into a modest family, Surabhi’s father worked as a lawyer in the Maihar court, while her mother, Dr. Sushila Gautam, was a high school teacher. She studied in a government-run Hindi medium school in her village, where she displayed exceptional academic skills from an early age.
Despite her brilliance, life wasn’t easy for her. During Class 12, she battled Rheumatic Fever, requiring frequent trips to Jabalpur—150 km away—for treatment. In addition to health struggles, she was often mocked by her friends for her inability to speak English fluently. However, none of these hurdles shook her determination. She remained focused on her studies, scoring a perfect 100 in Mathematics and Science in both Class 10 and 12, securing a spot on the state merit list.
After finishing school, Surabhi cleared the State Engineering Entrance Exam with high marks and pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering in Bhopal. During her college years, she continued to shine academically, even winning the prestigious College Chancellor’s Award. She topped the university and also received a gold medal for her excellence.
However, one challenge remained—her struggle with English. She realized that mastering the language would open doors for her, so she devised a unique self-learning method. Every day, she learned and practiced 10 new words, spoke to herself in English, and actively picked up phrases from her surroundings. Over time, her fluency improved, proving that dedication could overcome any barrier.
After college, she joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) as a nuclear scientist for a period of 1 year. She then appeared for multiple prestigious exams and passed each one with flying colors. Some of these included ISRO, BARC, GATE, MPPSC, SAIL, FCI, SSC, and SI Delhi Police. She cleared all her exams in first attempt.
In 2013, she achieved a significant milestone by securing All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam. Despite this prestigious achievement, her true goal was to become an IAS officer.
Determined to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), Surbhi dedicated herself entirely to preparation. Her hard work paid off in 2016 when she cleared the exam with an impressive All India Rank of 50.
Her journey—from a small village school to becoming a top-ranking IAS officer—is a testament to the power of resilience and hard work. She proved that challenges, whether related to language, health, or background, can be overcome with unwavering determination.
Humble beginnings and early struggles
Born into a modest family, Surabhi’s father worked as a lawyer in the Maihar court, while her mother, Dr. Sushila Gautam, was a high school teacher. She studied in a government-run Hindi medium school in her village, where she displayed exceptional academic skills from an early age.
Despite her brilliance, life wasn’t easy for her. During Class 12, she battled Rheumatic Fever, requiring frequent trips to Jabalpur—150 km away—for treatment. In addition to health struggles, she was often mocked by her friends for her inability to speak English fluently. However, none of these hurdles shook her determination. She remained focused on her studies, scoring a perfect 100 in Mathematics and Science in both Class 10 and 12, securing a spot on the state merit list.
Academic Excellence and overcoming language barriers
After finishing school, Surabhi cleared the State Engineering Entrance Exam with high marks and pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering in Bhopal. During her college years, she continued to shine academically, even winning the prestigious College Chancellor’s Award. She topped the university and also received a gold medal for her excellence.
However, one challenge remained—her struggle with English. She realized that mastering the language would open doors for her, so she devised a unique self-learning method. Every day, she learned and practiced 10 new words, spoke to herself in English, and actively picked up phrases from her surroundings. Over time, her fluency improved, proving that dedication could overcome any barrier.
Cracking competitive exams one after another
After college, she joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) as a nuclear scientist for a period of 1 year. She then appeared for multiple prestigious exams and passed each one with flying colors. Some of these included ISRO, BARC, GATE, MPPSC, SAIL, FCI, SSC, and SI Delhi Police. She cleared all her exams in first attempt.
In 2013, she achieved a significant milestone by securing All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam. Despite this prestigious achievement, her true goal was to become an IAS officer.
Becoming an IAS officer
Determined to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), Surbhi dedicated herself entirely to preparation. Her hard work paid off in 2016 when she cleared the exam with an impressive All India Rank of 50.
Her journey—from a small village school to becoming a top-ranking IAS officer—is a testament to the power of resilience and hard work. She proved that challenges, whether related to language, health, or background, can be overcome with unwavering determination.