In a remarkable feat, Ambika Raina, a native of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, has carved her name in the annals of the UPSC success story, securing the 164th rank in the fiercely competitive 2022 examinations. Born to a Major General in the Army, Ambika’s journey from the nomadic life of an army kid to the echelons of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is a testament to her unwavering determination and commitment to serving the nation.
Despite the frequent relocations that characterized her early life due to her father’s transferable job, Ambika’s parents provided unwavering support, creating an environment conducive to her academic pursuits. Her academic journey took her to CEPT University in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where she graduated in Architecture. In 2020, even before completing her degree, she secured a coveted internship in a Zurich-based company in Switzerland, presenting a promising career abroad. However, Ambika’s heart echoed with a call to contribute to her homeland.
In a bold and impactful decision, she chose to return to India, forsaking lucrative job offers abroad, to prepare for the UPSC exam. The journey from considering international opportunities to embracing the challenges of the UPSC examinations showcased Ambika’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the service of her nation over personal gains.
The path to UPSC success is laden with hurdles, and Ambika’s journey was no exception. Her perseverance and adaptability were her guiding principles. Facing setbacks in her initial attempts, she learned and refined her strategy after each experience. Ambika realized the significance of mock tests, considering them to be a substantial 70% of effective preparation. She also stressed the importance of filtering information in the age of abundant online resources, making the internet a valuable tool in her preparation.
Coming from a background in architecture, Ambika initially grappled with the vastness of the UPSC syllabus outside humanities. To bridge this gap, she meticulously studied topper interviews, molding her study plan based on their successful strategies. For the UPSC Mains exam, she delved into syllabus analysis, previous years’ question papers, topper copies, and extensive answer writing practice.
Her choice of study materials reflected a targeted approach, relying on specific books for different subjects. Notable mentions include Laxmikant for Political Science, Spectrum for Modern History, NCERT for Geography, Shankar for Environment, Nitin Singhania for Art and Culture, and Vision for Current Affairs through monthly compilations.
Ambika Raina’s success in the UPSC examinations serves as an inspiration to aspirants, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and a focused approach in achieving one’s goals. Her journey stands as a testament to the fact that sometimes, choosing the nation over personal endeavors leads to the most fulfilling triumphs.
