At age 24, Neha Byadwal defied the odds to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), clearing the country’s notoriously difficult UPSC Civil Services Examination on her fourth attempt. Born in Jaipur and raised in a Rajasthani-speaking household, Byadwal’s path to civil service was anything but linear — marked by early academic failure, language struggles, and a radical commitment to self-discipline.
Once penalized for speaking Hindi in school and fearful of English, Byadwal failed Class 5. But what might have ended many aspirations only fueled hers. In 2023, after three unsuccessful attempts, she secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 569 in the UPSC examination, emerging as a symbol of resilience and single-minded purpose.
An Unlikely Candidate, A Relentless Pursuit
Byadwal’s academic journey began on uncertain ground. Her early education saw her struggling with basic language skills, navigating schools that discouraged her native tongue. Despite the setbacks, she graduated in law from Delhi University with an initial plan to pursue a legal career. It was her father, Shravan Kumar — a senior Income Tax officer — who encouraged her to consider the civil services. His advice — “That’s the peak, that’s where you have to reach” — became her mantra.
Facing three consecutive failures in the UPSC, Byadwal adopted a bold strategy: she gave up her smartphone, withdrew from social media, and immersed herself in self-study for nearly three years. “I needed to eliminate everything that wasn’t helping me grow,” she later told interviewers.
Zero Distractions, Maximum Focus
Her decision to go entirely offline — no WhatsApp, Instagram, or even basic smartphone use — quickly drew both admiration and criticism. Online, debates flared: some hailed her determination as a blueprint for aspirants, while others questioned whether complete disconnection from the real world made for well-rounded civil servants.
But for Byadwal, the choice was simple. “Social media was noise. I needed clarity,” she said in an earlier interview. Her offline strategy not only boosted her concentration but also shielded her from the emotional turbulence of repeated failures — something many UPSC aspirants struggle with silently.
A Symbol of Grit for a New Generation
Today, Byadwal serves as a Joint Magistrate in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh — a far cry from the schoolgirl who once feared even Hindi. Her story speaks to a broader narrative unfolding in India’s civil services: one where grit, adaptability, and the courage to forge unconventional paths increasingly define success.
Her journey is also a lesson in the enduring power of self-belief, especially in a system that often prizes rote performance and institutional pedigree. In a country where the UPSC exam attracts nearly a million aspirants each year, Byadwal’s success is not just a personal victory — it’s a public testament to perseverance.
“I failed early. But I learned early too,” she said. “And sometimes, that’s the best preparation life can give you.”
