By Sumaila Zaman

Copyright india

UPSC exams are often considered to be among the most challenging and competitive examinations in India. The examinations test candidates on a variety of subjects such as General Studies Aptitude and optional subjects and also assess candidates performances in the interview stage.
Thousands of students from across India including small towns and rural areas appear for UPSC to serve the country in prestigious services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) the Indian Police Service (IPS) the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Forest Service.
The process of preparing for UPSC requires intense dedication self-discipline and methods of approaching studies; candidates will need to read and understand enormous syllabus material be aware of current affairs and learn critical analytical skills. In this article we will discuss the inspirational story of IFS Anjali Sondhiya who cracked the UPSC exam without any coaching on her fourth attempt despite struggling with multiple obstacles.
Anjali who was born in the village of Chandrapura located in the district of Rajgarh originated from a humble farmers family. After her fathers death she did not lose hope. Her father wished to see his daughter serve as a government officer a wish that Anjali made a reality.
What challenges did she face growing up in her village?
When Anjali was 15 years old her family arranged her engagement a common practice in her community. However her mother supported her and broke off the engagement allowing Anjali to continue her education. This was a transforming incident in Anjalis life that allowed her to exclusively concentrate on her goal of cracking the UPSC exam. Anjalis mother was Anjalis anchor providing her ever-present support along her journey.
Which UPSC exam did she crack and what was her All India Rank (AIR)?
After completing her 12th grade in 2016 Anjali began studying on her own using the Indian curriculum (NCERT) and online resources. Even though she did not pass the prelims in her first three attempts(2021 2022 and 2023) she did not give up. On her fourth attempt her hard work paid off. She not only cleared the exam but also secured the 9th rank nationwide in the Indian Forest Service (IFS).
According to Anjali success is determined by discipline consistency and self-confidence. She diligently studied for the UPSC exam thoroughly practiced with previous years question papers and routinely practiced answering questions through mock tests. Rather than relying on the notes from coaching institutes she selected textbooks from the syllabus for her foundational work. The IFS journey of Anjali Sondhiya exemplifies how social constraints and a lack of resources can be overcome through willpower. She also emphasized that success depends on patience commitment and belief in oneself.