Meet India’s youngest woman officer, cracked UPSC exam in first attempt at 21, but decided not to become IAS, IPS due to…, her AIR was…
At just 21 years old, Vidushi Singh made history by becoming the youngest woman in India to clear the UPSC exam with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 13. But what truly surprised everyone was her decision to not pick the most popular services, instead following a path that stayed true to a personal family promise. Let’s get to know more about Vidhushi and why she chose a path very different from other UPSC candidates.
Where is Vidushi from?
Vidushi was born in Jaipur but belongs to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. She didn’t grow up in a big city or go to coaching classes. Instead, she prepared for one of India’s toughest exams on her own.
Her education journey
She studied at the Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), one of the best colleges under the University of Delhi. She graduated with a degree in Economics, which also became her optional subject in the UPSC exam. According to her LinkedIn profile, she had a clear aim from the beginning and always took her studies seriously.
Vidushi Singh: Youngest woman to crack UPSC with AIR 13, chose IFS over IAS
The UPSC Civil Services Exam is known as one of the toughest exams in India and every year, lakhs of students appear for it, but only a few reach the top and Vidushi Singh is one of those few. In 2022, Vidushi made history by becoming India’s youngest woman to clear the UPSC exam. She scored an amazing All India Rank (AIR) 13. She accumulated a total of 1039 marks, with 855 in the written examination and 184 in the personality test, which is the interview round. Her optional subject was economics. What makes her success even more inspiring is that she did not join any coaching institute and completely studied on her own.
While many UPSC toppers dream of becoming IAS officers, Vidushi made a very different choice. She chose to become an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer instead of an IAS officer.
Vidushi Singh’s success rooted in her grandparents’ wish
Vidushi Singh’s achievement was not just about clearing the UPSC exam, but it was about a promise she made to her grandparents. According to media reports, her grandparents always dreamed of seeing her become an IFS officer and representing India in foreign countries. And this became Vidushi’s life’s purpose.
She is currently working as Third Secretary (LT) for Embassy of India, Paris.
The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is one of the most respected services in the country. IFS officers are in charge of managing India’s relations with other countries, working in embassies, consulates, and missions around the world. They represent India on the global stage and play a key role in building international ties.
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