Shruti Sharma, a JNU graduate, clinched the top spot in the UPSC Civil Services 2021 exam. Learn more about her background, study approach, attempts, and optional subjects.
Ankita Agarwal and Gamini Singla secured the second and third positions in the list of IAS toppers.
Shruti Sharma IAS Topper 2021 Background
Shruti Sharma is from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. She aims to make positive changes in her community. She values diversity and enjoys learning new things, including languages and cultures. In her free time, she loves exploring different cultures, reading books, and watching movies.
Educational Background
- Shruti went to Cambridge Primary School in Delhi from Kindergarten to 5th grade. After that, she continued her education at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in Delhi.
- She is a graduate of St. Stephens College and Jawaharlal Nehru University. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on History Honors, and now she is working on her Master’s Degree in Modern History.
- To prepare for the UPSC Civil Services exam, she attended coaching at Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy.
Shruti Sharma Support From Family & Friends
Shruti expressed gratitude to her family and others who supported her on her journey to become an IAS officer. She mentioned, “Everyone who played a part in my journey deserves credit, especially my parents. They were very supportive, along with friends who guided me.
Shruti Sharma’s Success
Shruti always dreamt of serving the country by becoming part of the Indian Administration Service. However, she faced a setback in her first try at the Civil Services exam. When asked about it, she shared, “This is my second attempt. I had to take my Mains exam in Hindi due to some issues with the language. I missed my interview call by just one mark.”
Despite failing once, Shruti learned from her mistakes and came back stronger in her second attempt, securing the top rank (AIR 1) in UPSC 2021. She expressed confidence in passing the exam but was pleasantly surprised to find out that she had topped it. She scored 173 marks in the personality test and 932 marks in the mains, totaling 1105 marks.
Shruti Sharma UPSC Preparation Strategies
Shruti took a unique approach to her UPSC journey. Instead of following others’ advice, she developed her own methods tailored to her understanding.
- She started preparing for UPSC four years ago, beginning with studying NCERTs.
- Recognizing the importance of current affairs in the IAS exam, she regularly read newspapers to stay updated on national and international events. To practice, she took online test series.
- Making notes while studying proved beneficial for her revision.
- She heavily relied on the internet and focused on practicing answer writing for the Mains exam.
- Choosing History as her optional subject, she emphasized the significance of selecting the right optional subject, as it accounts for a significant portion of the final marks.
Shruti’s strategy centered on her notes and extensive answer-writing practice for the Mains exam. While she was optimistic about her performance, topping the merit list was a pleasant surprise.
- Her key to success was patience throughout the preparation.
- She prioritized quality learning over the number of study hours.
- Shruti had a study schedule but limited her study sources.
- During revision, she avoided taking up new books or study materials.
For aspiring candidates, she recommends going through previous years’ UPSC prelims question papers to understand the nature of the questions asked.
She emphasizes that it’s not about the number of study hours but the quality of study. Shruti’s success was attributed to her notes, newspapers, and practicing answer writing, along with the chosen study materials.
A few tips for UPSC exam preparation
1. Time Allocation:
- Set aside at least one year for CSE preparation.
- Chart out a detailed action plan to initiate your preparation.
2. Meticulous Planning:
- Develop a realistic and achievable study schedule.
- Create a planner to keep track of goals and milestones.
3. Limited Study Material:
- Avoid confusion by limiting the number of study materials.
- Pick a few selected books and materials and stick to them.
4. Utilize Internet Wisely:
- The internet is a valuable source, but be cautious of distractions.
- Use it efficiently for information and study material.
5. Stay Calm:
- It takes time to find a study rhythm.
- Don’t panic if a concept is challenging; think it through for clarity.
6. Self-Understanding:
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Focus your preparation based on your needs and understanding.
7. Practice Tests:
- Take mock practice tests for both prelims and mains.
- Gain confidence and experience in framing answers properly.
8. Maintain Focus:
- UPSC exam preparation is challenging; stay motivated.
- Maintain a positive outlook and be confident in your ability to crack UPSC CSE 2022.
| Attribute | Information |
| Name | Shruti Sharma |
| Civil Service Exam | 2021 |
| All India Rank | 1 |
| Number of Attempts | 2 |
| Age | 26 |
| Optional Subject | History |
| Native | Delhi, Originally – Bijnor, UP |
| Education | Graduation in History |
Preparation Resources for UPSC 2023:
| 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 2022 FAQs
1. Who is Shruti Sharma, and what rank did she secure in the UPSC Civil Services 2021 exam?
Shruti Sharma is a JNU graduate who secured Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services 2021 exam.
2. What is Shruti Sharma’s educational background and optional subject in UPSC?
She is a graduate in History from St. Stephens College and JNU. Her optional subject for UPSC was also History.
3. How many attempts did Shruti Sharma make to clear the UPSC exam?
Shruti Sharma made two attempts to clear the UPSC Civil Services exam.
4. What are Shruti Sharma’s age and native place?
Shruti Sharma is 26 years old, and her native place is Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, although she is currently based in Delhi.
5. What strategies did Shruti Sharma follow for UPSC preparation, and what is her key to success?
Shruti Sharma followed a unique approach, focusing on self-developed methods. She prioritized quality learning, limited study materials, utilized the internet wisely, and maintained focus. Her key to success was patience throughout the preparation.
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