From MBBS Dropout To IAS: Taruni Pandey's Journey To Crack UPSC With 6 Months Of Prep
Taruni Pandey, once aspiring to be a doctor, faced health issues and shifted to becoming an IAS officer. Despite challenges, she secured All India Rank 14 in UPSC CSE 2021.
Ever since she was in the third grade, Taruni Pandey had dreamed of becoming a doctor. But destiny had other plans. From letting go of her childhood dream due to serious health issues to discovering a new purpose in becoming an IAS officer, Pandey's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Born in Chittaranjan, a quiet town in West Bengal, Taruni always dreamed of becoming a doctor and even began studying for an MBBS degree, but due to health issues like dengue, typhoid, and cerebral malaria, she had to discontinue her studies midway. She then pursued her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English Literature from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
The idea of a career in the civil service hadn't initially occurred to Pandey. The untimely death of her brother-in-law proved to be a pivotal moment. Accompanying her sister to various government offices, she came face to face with the inner workings of the system. These experiences stirred something in her.
She was deeply inspired by the impact bureaucrats and politicians could make in people's lives. That was the moment Taruni discovered a new purpose, becoming a civil servant who could bring real change.
She shifted her focus to the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of the toughest and most prestigious exams in the country.
She initially planned to appear for the UPSC prelims in 2020, but life threw another challenge her way. Just four days before the exam, she tested positive for COVID-19 and had to step back. But Taruni didn't lose hope. In 2021, at the age limit of 32 for general category candidates, she gave her final attempt with a fierce sense of purpose.
With only four months to prepare, and without the help of any coaching institute, Taruni relied on a smart and focused strategy. She turned to online platforms like YouTube to prepare notes and revise topics, skipping bulky textbooks and choosing a more practical and time-saving method of learning. Her hard work paid off when she secured an All India Rank of 14 in the UPSC CSE 2021.
Taruni Pandey's story is a powerful reminder that setbacks don't define your future your response to them does. With grit, smart planning, and the will to rise above difficulties, she turned a personal loss and a missed chance into an inspiring victory.
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