Noida: Wardah Khan, a Noida inhabitant, departed her corporate profession to undertake the preparation for the civil services and subsequently clinched the 18th rank in the UPSC examination 2023. Opting for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as her top choice, she aspires to elevate India’s stature on the global stage. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the results on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old says she selected the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as her premier preference and is resolved to bring honor to her homeland on international forums.
“Like many others with ambitions, we commence this journey with the dream of seeing our name on the list of successful candidates. But securing a spot in the top 20 was beyond my expectations; I never envisioned such an outcome. It’s surreal at the moment. My family is overjoyed and exudes pride,” Khan shared with PTI.
“I’ve chosen the Indian Foreign Service as my foremost preference, aspiring to enhance India’s global image across international forums and assist our diaspora abroad,” she continued. Khan resides in Vivek Vihar, Noida’s Sector 82, and holds a Bachelors in Commerce (Honours) from Delhi University’s Khalsa College. Living with her mother, Khan lost her father nine years ago.
Regarding her inclination towards UPSC, Khan explained that during her college years, she developed an interest in geopolitics, history, and politics. Participating in debates and Model United Nations events further piqued her curiosity, yet she hadn’t initially considered a career in civil services.
It was during her employment that Khan realized her desire to pursue civil service. “I was employed at a corporate firm for eight months, but it didn’t fulfill me. I wanted to contribute to society and serve my country, impacting the lives of others positively,” she stated.
“I found that the curriculum and opportunities within this career path align with my interests, prompting me to leave my job and pursue civil services,” she added. Khan mentioned she prepared independently at home and took online coaching from a private institution for a year. Offering guidance to other UPSC aspirants, Khan emphasized a few guiding principles.
“Firstly, you must have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, such as NCERT and ‘Indian Polity’ by M. Laxmikanth. These foundational texts are essential,” she stated. “Furthermore, you must meticulously organize the syllabus for both your main subjects and optional papers, supported by thorough notes. These are some key points to consider,” Khan continued.
A total of 1,016 candidates — 664 men and 352 women — succeeded in the examination and have been recommended by the UPSC for various service appointments. Aditya Srivastava, a trainee Indian Police Service officer, emerged as the top scorer in the civil services examination.
Animesh Pradhan, Donuru Ananya Reddy, PK Sidharth Ramkumar, and Ruhani secured the second, third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively.