logo
Meet 21-Year-Old Aastha Singh, India's Youngest Female IAS Officer Who Cracked UPSC Civil Services In First Attempt; Her AIR Is...

Meet 21-Year-Old Aastha Singh, India's Youngest Female IAS Officer Who Cracked UPSC Civil Services In First Attempt; Her AIR Is...

India.com3 days ago

photoDetails english 2911303
The UPSC exam is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for various prestigious civil services in India. These include the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Revenue Service (IRS), and several other Group A and B central services. The exam is held in three stages: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview. https://zeenews.india.com/photos/education/meet-21-year-old-aastha-singh-india-s-youngest-female-ias-officer-who-cracked-upsc-civil-services-in-first-attempt-her-air-is-2911313 Updated:Jun 05, 2025, 10:35 AM IST Youngest IAS Officer
1 / 7
Above all, Aastha Singh serves as a true inspiration for students preparing for competitive exams like the UPSC. At just 21 years old, she successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination—one of India's toughest tests. Her remarkable achievement places her among the youngest IAS officers in the country. AIR Rank
2 / 7
Aastha secured an impressive All India Rank 61 in the UPSC exam. She hails from Panchkula in Punjab, where she was raised. Her father, Brijesh Singh, is employed as the Quality Head at a pharmaceutical company. The family's ancestral roots are in Kushaha Kanaura village, located in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district. UPSC Attempt
3 / 7
She is among five candidates from the tricity region to secure a spot in the top 300 ranks this year, with four of them being women. Aastha's rapid journey began in 2024 when she cleared the Haryana Public Service Commission exam on her first attempt, securing Rank 31. Higher studies
4 / 7
Aastha has consistently excelled in academics since her school years. She completed her schooling in her hometown and chose to pursue Commerce. For higher studies, she moved to Delhi and enrolled at the renowned Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University, where she completed her graduation in Economics (Honours). Women empowerment
5 / 7
Unlike many who prepare for years, Aastha said she always felt a natural interest in civil services. 'I didn't take any coaching and prepared on my own for my first attempt,' she shared. Aastha also said she wants to work on important issues like women's empowerment in the future. Aastha's dedication
6 / 7
Aastha cleared the UPSC exam at a young age through her dedication, clear goals, and disciplined self-study. Her journey shows that with determination and consistent effort, it's possible to succeed even in one of the toughest competitive exams in the country. AETO
7 / 7
Aastha, who is currently serving as an Additional Excise and Taxation Officer (AETO) with the Haryana government, cleared the exam on her first attempt—achieving this milestone without any coaching.
(All Images (Instagram): aasthaa.s30)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Drishti IAS to continue independently 'for now', after considering Physics Wallah deal, funding via IPO
Drishti IAS to continue independently 'for now', after considering Physics Wallah deal, funding via IPO

The Print

timea day ago

  • The Print

Drishti IAS to continue independently 'for now', after considering Physics Wallah deal, funding via IPO

'At Drishti IAS, our decisions are always based on a long-term vision. Though we explored various funding options during last year, including Initial Public Offering (IPO) and discussions with a few strategic investors including Physics Wallah, we have decided to continue independently for now. We hope we'll keep doing better on our own, and if required, we'll explore other options as per circumstances in the future,' Drishti IAS CEO Vivek Tiwari told ThePrint. The institute said it will continue to run independently, as it has for several years. New Delhi: A few months ago, reports suggested that unicorn Physics Wallah was in talks to acquire Drishti IAS, which is among the oldest coaching institutes for civil services preparations. While they were dismissed as mere speculations, the IAS coaching institute has now said it was indeed exploring funding options last year, including through Physics Wallah, but ultimately decided not to go ahead with it. Four major coaching institutes—Drishti IAS, Chaitanya Academy, Rau's IAS Study Circle, and Sarathi IAS—were being considered for potential acquisition as part of a larger consolidation wave in the Indian EdTech and test prep market. With online-first players like Physics Wallah and Unacademy looking to strengthen their offline footprint and diversify into civil services coaching, talks with these legacy UPSC institutes had emerged as strategic opportunities to tap into a loyal student base, particularly in Hindi-medium and regional markets. Drishti IAS was founded in 1999 by popular teacher Vikas Divyakirti in Mukherjee Nagar. It became one of the most well-known institutes for Hindi-medium UPSC aspirants. The Delhi-based institute reported a revenue of Rs 405 crore and a profit after tax of Rs 90 crore in FY24. Vikas Divyakirti's popularity is such that he even appeared in the movie 12th fail, Videos of his classes and lectures receive millions of views on social media. The institute moved to Noida last year after infrastructure issues in Mukherjee Nagar were flagged, following the death of three UPSC aspirants in another institute in the Old Rajinder Nagar area, and fire incidents at other institutes in Mukherjee Nagar. Coaching institutes came under intense scrutiny by public and authorities for infrastructure lapses and licensing issues after these incidents. Sources at Drishti IAS said the institute remains profitable. Physics Wallah is known for offering affordable online coaching. It first gained popularity through YouTube and later launched online courses for JEE and NEET aspirants for admission in engineering and medical courses. But over the last few years, it has been expanding its offerings. It entered the UPSC coaching space after joining forces with OnlyIAS in 2022. The potential acquisition of Drishti IAS was seen as a strategic move to bolster Physics Wallah's offline presence and diversify its portfolio ahead of its planned IPO. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Drishti IAS relocating to Noida, Mukherjee Nagar may see exit of other coaching centres too

PhysicsWallah's acquisition talks with Drishti IAS falls through; Drishti to continue as an independent company
PhysicsWallah's acquisition talks with Drishti IAS falls through; Drishti to continue as an independent company

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

PhysicsWallah's acquisition talks with Drishti IAS falls through; Drishti to continue as an independent company

Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The proposed acquisition of the UPSC test preparation platform Drishti IAS by edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah has fallen through, say industry two companies had been in discussions over a potential strategic investment and acquisition for several months, but the talks have ultimately not an official statement to Economic Times Digital, Vivek Tiwari, CEO of Drishti IAS, said, "At Drishti IAS, our decisions are always based on a very long-term vision. Though we explored various funding options during last year, including IPO and discussions with few strategic investors, including PhysicsWallah, we have decided to continue independently for now. We hope we'll keep doing better on our own and if required, we'll explore other options as per circumstances in the future.'The development comes at a time when India's edtech sector is seeing increased focus on consolidation, operational efficiency, and profitability amid a more cautious funding environment. Several players are re-evaluating growth strategies, with partnerships and acquisitions being explored in 1999, Drishti IAS has built a strong brand in Hindi-medium UPSC preparation, offering both online and offline programmes. PhysicsWallah, which entered the unicorn club in 2022, has been expanding beyond its core NEET-JEE focus into categories such as UPSC, state exams, and professional now, Drishti IAS has opted to chart its own path forward as an independent player in the evolving education the fiscal year 2023–24 (FY24), Drishti IAS reported a revenue of Rs 405 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) stood at Rs 90 crore, underscoring both operational efficiency and sustained demand in the civil services preparation segment. With demand for quality UPSC coaching continuing to grow, the segment remains highly competitive, with both established players and digital-first platforms vying for market share.

Employees appreciate DA hike but push for broader reforms
Employees appreciate DA hike but push for broader reforms

Hans India

timea day ago

  • Hans India

Employees appreciate DA hike but push for broader reforms

Hyderabad: Thanking the government for declaring two Dearness Allowances (DAs), Telangana Employees JAC Chairman V Lachi Reddy on Friday stated that the 'people's government' in the state stands by the employees. The JAC Chairman added that the government was committed to the development and welfare of employees, noting that long-pending problems were being resolved in a phased manner. He expressed happiness over the decisions taken by the state cabinet on Thursday regarding employees, thanking Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, ministers, and government officials for decisions taken on the payment of two DAs, the formation of a trust for the implementation of the health scheme, the release of Rs 700 crore every month for the payment of pending bills, the return of employees transferred during the elections to their home districts, and other issues. The Telangana Employees JAC Chairman further stated that a friendly government was operating in the state, which is why the government has formed a three-member committee headed by Naveen Mittal, comprising three IAS officers, to address employee issues, holding discussions with all employee unions in the state and taking up their requests. The JAC demanded that cashless medical treatment be provided to all employees, pending bills be released, the new pension scheme (CPS) be abolished and the old pension scheme (OPS) be reinstated, a special corporation be set up for employees of neighbouring services, and some other types of transfers be provided through 317 GO. Apart from this, it has been requested that 24 issues not immediately impacting the government exchequer be resolved first, with the remaining 14 issues that have a financial impact to be resolved in a phased manner. Employees requested that bills below Rs 10 lakh be cleared through e-Kuber, and for this, the government has agreed to clear Rs 700 crore every month, which will be of great benefit to every employee. A trust will be set up for an improved health scheme to provide cashless medical treatment through the Employees Health Scheme (EHS), and it has been stated that difficulties will not arise as the trust is designed in such a way that only senior officers and employees are members. The JAC leaders thanked Revenue Minister Srinivasa Reddy for the cabinet decision and also called for initiatives to resolve the problems of the remaining revenue employees.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store