Saumya Sharma, a remarkable woman from Delhi, recently achieved a significant milestone by securing the ninth position in the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination, despite facing considerable adversity. She lost her hearing at just 16 years old, a challenge that would deter many, but she persevered, demonstrating exceptional resilience and determination. The UPSC exam is renowned for its difficulty, with millions of candidates vying for prestigious positions such as IAS, IPS, and IFS each year. In her first attempt, Saumya not only passed the exam but also emerged among the top 10 candidates.
Raised in a family of medical professionals, Saumya completed her schooling in Delhi. The loss of her hearing marked a challenging period in her life, yet she refused to succumb to despair. Instead, she pursued her law degree at the National Law University in Delhi, maintaining her ambitions even in the face of adversity. During her studies, she advocated for hearing-impaired students by petitioning the Delhi High Court for reservation benefits. However, when it came time to take the UPSC exam, she chose to compete in the general category without relying on any accommodations.
After graduating, Saumya channeled her efforts into preparing for the UPSC exam. With only four months to study, she committed up to six hours each day to her studies. Remarkably, she managed to clear both the preliminary and main examinations on her first attempt, even while battling a high fever during the mains. By the age of 23, Saumya had not only achieved an impressive All India Rank of 9 in the UPSC 2017 examination but had also become a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the country. Recently, she married IPS officer Archit Chandak, marking another chapter in her incredible journey.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/education/lost-hearing-at-16-cracked-upsc-exam-with-just-4-months-of-preparation-became-ias-officer-with-air-9-her-name-is-saumya-sharma-8141772/
Category: Exams & Results
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-10-21 09:35:00
