On May 30, 2022, UPSC declared the results for the Civil Services Exam. This time, something special happened – the top three ranks were achieved by women for the first time! It’s a big deal because cracking this exam is super tough. The girls who made it to the top did so in their second or third attempt.
Let’s focus on Ankita Agarwal. She secured the second rank. Want to know about her background, how she prepared, how many times she tried, and what optional subject she chose? Keep reading!
In the IAS toppers list, Shruti Sharma got the first rank, Ankita Agarwal got the second, and Gamini Singla got the third.
Ankita Agarwal IAS Topper 2021:
Ankita Agarwal, who got the second rank in her third try, is from Kolkata. She finished her school and got her bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College at Delhi University. For her optional subjects in the UPSC exam, she chose Political Science and International Relations.
Ankita attempted the UPSC Civil Services Exam three times: in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In 2019, she got the 236th rank and is currently training for Indian Revenue Services Customs and Indirect Taxes in Faridabad. Even though she got selected for IRS, she decided to work harder to join the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). When asked about her reaction to getting the second rank, she said she expected to pass the civil services exam, but getting the second rank was a big surprise.
Family Background
Ankita grew up in a big family with her grandparents and aunt and uncle. Her family originally came from Bihar. Her dad runs a hardware store in Burrabazar, and her mom stays at home. Her brother is studying for an MBA in Delhi. They all live together in Kalindi.
Ankita feels lucky for the support her family gave her to pursue her dream of becoming an IAS officer. They never pressured her to follow their dreams or study hard. She’s thankful for the encouragement her family gave her throughout the challenging journey of clearing the UPSC Exam.
Educational Background:
- Ankita has always been a quiet and dedicated person, especially when it comes to her studies.
- She went to school in Kolkata, starting at DPS Ruby Park in 2003. Her teachers remember her as a dedicated student with a quick mind.
- After school, she went on to get a bachelor’s degree in Economics (Hons) from St Stephen’s College in Delhi.
- She worked at a company for a while but left the job to follow her dream of becoming a civil servant.
- To get ready for the civil services exam, she did a mix of studying on her own and taking coaching when she needed it.
Ankita’s Success at Civil Services Exam
Ankita Agarwal first thought about taking the UPSC exam when she was in her second year of college. Not completely sure at the time, she worked in a private job for a year. After that, she decided to leave her job and focus on preparing for the IAS Exam. In her third attempt, she scored a total of 1050 marks and secured the 2nd position in the exam.
She started getting ready for the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2018. Even though she did well in 2019 and got into the IRS, she wanted to work even harder to join the Indian Administrative Services. That’s why she took the exam again in 2021. This was her third try.
Ankita had a clear goal and chose not to pursue a postgraduate degree. She worked for a year and then dedicated herself to UPSC preparation.
For the future, Ankita is interested in working on women’s empowerment and primary healthcare. She wants to serve at the grassroots level as an IAS officer. She picked West Bengal as her preferred cadre. Her main focus will be on issues like poverty, unemployment, and climate change once she becomes an IAS officer.
Ankita Agarwal’s UPSC Preparation Strategies
Preparation Approach:
- Ankita used both self-study and coaching for her UPSC preparation.
- She believed that a balance between the two is crucial for a candidate’s success.
- Ankita defied traditional UPSC norms by maintaining a well-balanced preparation routine.
Study Duration and Breaks:
- Started UPSC preparation four years ago, focusing on basic books and staying updated on current affairs.
- Devoted significant time to exam preparation, aiming for 8-12 hours of study daily.
- Emphasized maintaining a balance by also prioritizing health, family, and friends.
- Took breaks and spent time with friends to unwind and relax.
Current Affairs and Note-Making:
- Stayed updated on current affairs through newspapers and monthly magazines.
- Created digital notes for better organization and ease of revision.
- Translated study materials into her own language to facilitate easier understanding and revision.
Practice Tests and Mains Preparation:
- Solved test series to gain sufficient practice before the actual exams.
- Focused on answer writing practice for the Mains examination.
- Chose Political Science and International Relations as her optional subject for the Mains.
Study Timetable and Limited Sources:
- Prioritized sustainable study schedules over fixed study hours.
- Developed a study timetable and limited study sources.
- Avoided picking up additional books or study materials during revision.
Balanced Lifestyle:
- Maintained a balanced schedule, taking breaks to relax and unwind.
- Deleted social media to eliminate distractions during concentrated study periods.
- Highlighted the importance of clarity in motivation and consistency for aspirants.
Motivation and Consistency:
- Stressed the significance of clear motivation for aspiring civil servants.
- Consistency was identified as a key factor for success.
UPSC Prelims Question Papers:
- Used previous years’ UPSC prelims question papers for practice.
- Gained insights into the nature of questions asked in the UPSC prelims examination.
A few tips for UPSC exam preparation
Preparation Duration:
- Allocate at least one year for UPSC CSE preparation.
- Develop an action plan to kickstart your preparation journey.
Planning Approach:
- Plan your UPSC CSE preparation meticulously.
- Create a realistic and achievable study schedule.
- Use a calendar to track your goals for better organization.
Study Material:
- Avoid confusion by limiting your study material.
- Choose a few books and resources and stick to them.
Internet Usage:
- While the internet is a valuable knowledge source, be cautious of overuse.
- Internet distractions can hinder effective study sessions.
Patience and Understanding:
- It takes time to establish a preparation routine that suits you.
- Don’t panic if a topic seems challenging; think it through for clarity.
Self-Understanding:
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Focus your preparation based on your needs and understanding.
Practice Tests:
- Take mock practice exams for both prelims and mains.
- Gain confidence and improve your response structuring skills.
Maintaining Focus:
- UPSC exam preparation is challenging, so stay motivated.
- Keep a positive outlook and believe in your ability to pass UPSC CSE 2023.
| Attribute | Information |
| Name | Ankita Agarwal |
| Civil Service Exam | 2021 |
| All India Rank | 2 |
| Number of Attempts | 3 |
| Age | 25 |
| Optional Subject | Political Science and International Relations |
| Native | Kolkata |
| Education | Graduation in Economics |
For additional support in UPSC 2023 preparation, aspirants can refer to the following resources:
| UPSC Books | Current Affairs | UPSC Mains Syllabus |
| UPSC Question Paper | NCERT books for UPSC exam | History Optional Booklist For UPSC Exam |
Disclaimer – We don’t claim that they are toppers of Edukemy.
UPSC Topper 2021- Ankita agarwal FAQS
1. How did Ankita Agarwal prepare for UPSC?
Ankita used a balanced approach with both self-study and coaching.
She focused on a sustainable study routine, dedicating 8-12 hours daily.
2. What is Ankita Agarwal’s educational background?
Ankita completed her bachelor’s degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.
3. How many attempts did Ankita Agarwal make in the UPSC exam?
Ankita attempted the UPSC Civil Services Exam three times: in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
4. What are Ankita Agarwal’s future aspirations as an IAS officer?
Ankita aims to work on women’s empowerment and primary healthcare, focusing on grassroots-level service.
5. What were Ankita Agarwal’s strategies for maintaining a balanced lifestyle during preparation?
Ankita emphasized taking breaks, spending time with friends, and deleting social media for concentrated study periods.
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