At just 24, Neha Byadwal cracked one of India’s toughest exams — the UPSC Civil Services Exam — to become an IAS officer. But her path was far from easy. Raised in a small town in Rajasthan and later in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Neha grew up speaking Rajasthani, struggled with Hindi, and feared English. Yet today, she’s posted as an IAS officer in Gujarat.
A Childhood of Setbacks and Steely Will
Neha’s early academic journey was rocky. She failed in Class 5 and was urged to switch to the Hindi-medium stream. But she stood her ground — determined not to let language decide her future.
Through Classes 6 to 10, Neha worked relentlessly, eventually topping her college and even clearing the SSC examination. But she still didn’t stop there — her dream was IAS, inspired by her father, a senior Income Tax Officer.
Three Failures, Zero Regret
Neha failed the UPSC prelims twice and the mains once. For many, that would be the end. But Neha turned failures into fuel. She gave up her phone, quit social media for three years, and committed 17–18 hours daily to her studies.
On her fourth attempt, in 2023, she secured an All India Rank of 569 — with 960 marks. A quiet yet powerful testament to self-belief.
Family: Her Pillars of Strength
Neha credits her success to her family. Her father tutored her in math and history. Her brother and aunt supported her through mock interviews. Together, they helped her reach where she is today.
What We Can Learn From Neha
Language is a barrier only if you let it be.
Setbacks are not dead-ends — they’re detours.
Discipline, sacrifice, and belief are the true tools of success.
Today, as an IAS officer, Neha stands as a beacon for thousands of young Indians — especially girls from small towns — proving that your roots don’t define your limits. Your resilience does.
