Meet woman, who left her doctor career, then cracked UPSC exam twice, now working as...

The journey to becoming an IAS officer is one of grit, determination, and resilience—a path not for the faint-hearted. For Mudra Gairola, the dream of joining the civil services was not just her own; it was a promise to fulfill her father's unfulfilled ambition.

Hailing from Karnprayag in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, Mudra was a brilliant student from the start, topping her classes. She scored an impressive 96% in her 10th-grade exams and 97% in her 12th. Her academic excellence even earned her recognition from Kiran Bedi, India's first woman IPS officer, during her school years.
Initially, Mudra's career path seemed set in the medical field. She pursued a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from a reputed college in Mumbai. She graduated with flying colors and even received a gold medal. She then went to Delhi to pursue her Master of Dental Surgery (MDS). However, while she was sailing through medicine, her father's long-cherished dream of seeing her as an IAS officer persisted in her heart. He had attempted the UPSC exam in 1973 but couldn't clear it—a regret she was determined to turn into a triumph.

Daring move by Mudra: dropped studies for MDS and jumped into preparation of UPSC. She, on her first attempt in 2018, did not do well, nor was she successful in the two next attempts. She did not give up. In the year 2021, she finally won through with an impressive 165th rank and could enter the IPS.

For most, that would suffice, but not for Mudra. Instead, her eyes were fixed more strongly on becoming an IAS officer. With the resolve firmly in place, in 2022, Mudra once again attempted the exams. This time, with 53rd rank, she fulfilled what was her father's very own dream of joining Indian Administrative Service.

Mudra's story is a testament to perseverance and the power of family dreams. It reminds us that no matter how many times we fall, success is inevitable for those who refuse to stop trying.