Left medical career for UPSC exam, became IAS Officer in first attempt, shares close connection with Tina Dabi, she is…, her AIR was…
While the environment of the UPSC is inherently highly competitive and often even demanding, some friendships have emerged and gained popularity, even in the midst of fierce individual achievement and preparation for individual prominence. One of the more renowned friendships forms between IAS Tina Dabi and IAS Artika Shukla, who are not only from the same IAS batch, but also give the story of notable academic excellence and professional doability.
Who is the IAS officer who left her medical career to pursue UPSC?
Both Tina Dabi and Artika Shukla have had their names featured on the UPSC topper lists, reflecting years of hard work, perseverance, and intellectual rigor. More importantly, beyond the individual feats, their connection serves as an important reminder of supporting each other and cooperation even in a high-stakes, competitive environment. Among civil servants, strong personal ties can co-exist with professional brilliance.
When did she clear the UPSC exam and become an IAS officer?
In 2015, IAS Tina Dabi and IAS Artika Shukla appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. In this examination, known to be one of the toughest exams, Tina Dabi secured an All India Rank(1) while Artika Shukla obtained AIR 4 in the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination. Hence, their names were included in the UPSC topper list. Their IAS training began together, and they both belong to the 2016 batch of IAS officers, marking the start of their professional journey alongside each other.
From where did Artika Shukla hail?
Artika Shukla hails from Varanasi. Artika Shukla was a medical doctor before she made the courageous choice to shift her career path. She was pursuing her MD when she decided to drop out of her medical studies and pursue her dream of being an IAS officer. Her brother, Utkarsha Shukla, who had passed the UPSC civil services examination in 2012 and was working as an Indian Railway Transport Service officer, supported her preparation tremendously. He offered thoughts and guidance and gave her his notes, which she used to study for the test.
Artika started her preparation journey in 2014 and succeeded in 2015 – an astonishing success considering that she did not have any coaching, but relied on her discipline and advice from her brother. She graduated with an MBBS degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi. Earlier, she attended St. John’s School in Varanasi. Her father, Brajesh Shukla, was a secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Artika Shukla hails from Varanasi.
- Artika Shukla was a medical doctor before she made the courageous choice to shift her career path.
- Tina Dabi secured an All India Rank(1) while Artika Shukla obtained AIR 4 in the 2015 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
- Hence, their names were included in the UPSC topper list.
In 2015, at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, where she was undergoing IAS training, Artika met her husband, Jasmit Singh, who had acquired the third position in the IAS exam. They bonded during their training and married in 2017; her friend and fellow IAS officer, Tina Dabi, attended their wedding.
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