Not just an exam…promise to make my late father, country proud: Ria Kaur Sethi
Ria Kaur Sethi, a resident of Sector 72 in Mohali, has made her mark by securing an impressive All-India Rank 89 in the UPSC civil services examination, results of which were announced on Tuesday.
'For me, this was never just an exam. It was a promise to make my father and my country proud,' said Sethi (27).
Sethi lost her father, S Jagjiv Singh Sethi, in 2017, a loss that became the driving force behind her goal. 'My father has been my biggest inspiration. He ran a business, but more than that, he touched lives. I want to continue that legacy this time through public service. I hope to make him proud every step in my way.'
Coming from a joint family, Sethi credited her mother and elder brother for their unconditional support. 'I owe a lot to my family. My mother and brother stood by me through every failure, every doubt,' she shared.
Sethi completed her graduation in Economics (Honours) from Khalsa College, Delhi University, followed by a postgraduate degree in Development Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
Her optional subject was Sociology, and her strategy was clear from the beginning: 'I stuck to the basics. The UPSC syllabus and previous year questions became my Bible. There is so much information out there, especially now with AI but that's where aspirants lose their way.'
Sethi emphasised the importance of self-study and clarity. 'Most of my preparation was self-driven. I gave weight to quality over quantity — limited sources, repeated revisions, and complete faith in my preparation.'
'This was my fourth attempt and second interview,' Sethi revealed. 'The first hurdle was always the prelims. Twice, I cleared the mains but fell short at the preliminary stage. But I never gave up as I had faith in my efforts.'
'As an IAS officer, I want to create equal opportunities, especially for girls. I want every girl to be able to stand where I am today,' she said. Sethi aims to bridge the gap between people and governance: 'There are many whose voices never reach the authorities. My goal is to identify their limitations and plug the gaps so they can truly benefit from government schemes.'
To fellow UPSC aspirants, the 27-year-old cautioned that there is 'too much content and too many distractions'. 'Stick to your strategy, believe in your preparation, and stay committed to your dream of a Viksit Bharat.'
'Books and strategies are secondary — if your heart beats for nation-building, it will reflect in your answers and in your interview.'
For Sethi, this is a 'moment of great joy, but it still feels incomplete'. 'The entire credit goes to my late father, and then to my mother. The journey hasn't been easy, but when you have a strong support system, no journey feels too difficult,' she concluded.
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