At just 10 years old, Ritika Chitlangia had a dream — to serve the nation as an IAS officer. While many childhood dreams fade over time, hers only grew stronger. This year, the 23-year-old Delhi University graduate turned that vision into reality, securing All India Rank (AIR) 55 in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, in only her second attempt.
Born in Kolkata and raised in Delhi, Ritika completed her schooling at Birla Vidya Niketan and went on to graduate with a BA (Hons) in Geography from Miranda House, Delhi University, scoring an impressive CGPA of 9.0. Alongside her academics, she worked as a content writer for organisations like Girl Up and the YCM Youth Conflict Management & Mediation Initiative. But in her heart, the UPSC dream — inspired by a high school teacher — never took a backseat.
After graduation in 2022, Ritika plunged into full-time preparation. “Every late night, every sacrifice, and every moment of self-doubt has been worth it,” she shared in a heartfelt LinkedIn post. The result, announced on April 22, 2025, she says, “singlehandedly changed the trajectory” of her life.
Her marks tell the story of her consistent performance — from scoring 143 in her optional subject Geography Paper-II to a remarkable 188 in the personality test, leading to a total of 998 marks.
Ritika’s journey wasn’t without its struggles. She candidly mentions battling impostor syndrome and enduring a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Yet, her message to aspirants is clear: “Don’t give up on your dreams, even when the going gets tough. Keep pushing forward and trust the process.”
Now, as she steps into the Indian Administrative Service, Ritika stands as a living example of perseverance, discipline, and purpose — a reminder that sometimes, the dreams we nurture as children can become the missions that shape our lives.
