Woman abandons MBBS studies due to health issues, aces UPSC exam in her first attempt after only 6 months of preparation, securing rank..., currently...
Civil Services Success Story: Taruni Pandey's Unbroken Spirit
Hey there! Let's talk about Taruni Pandey, who defied the odds and cracked one of India's toughest exams, the UPSC, after a series of personal tragedies shattered her dream of becoming a doctor. Here's her inspiring journey.
June 03, 2025
Cracking the Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a dream for millions in India, but for most, it remains just that – a dream. Taruni Pandey, however, wasn't even aware of the CSE. Her sole career goal was to become a doctor. She insisted on being called 'doctor' since her third grade years. But life had other plans for her.
Taruni Pandey's Tumultuous Past
Born and raised in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, Taruni moved to Jamtara, Jharkhand for further education. She pursued her bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Her initial choice was medicine, and she even began MBBS studies, but health issues like dengue, typhoid, and cerebral malaria forced her to stop.
Another tragedy struck when her brother-in-law was martyred in Srinagar in 2016. Taruni, in support of her sister, found herself with bureaucrats and politicians, who left an indelible impression on her. These bureaucrats, with their transformative powers, rekindled her spirit and gave her a new direction.
Taruni's Inspiration
A chance encounter with a dynamic bureaucrat inspired Taruni to become a civil servant. After her dream of becoming a doctor faded away, she saw civil servants as a means to bring about positive change. When she accompanied her sister to meet these bureaucrats, she realized the immense good they could do by being part of the system. This encounter motivated Taruni to aim for the 2020 UPSC preliminary exams.
Taruni's Challenges
Fate had other plans. Four days before the exam, Taruni was struck by COVID-19, bringing her dreams to a standstill. Despite her age-limit-induced pressure and being ill, Taruni decided to take the exam in 2021. Her hard work, determination, and perseverance paid off – she passed the exam on her first attempt, without coaching.
Taruni's preparation was based on self-study, utilizing YouTube, and her sheer willpower. She prepared for only six months, a testament to her dedication and determination.
In the Limelight
Taruni is now an IP and TAFS officer in the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. Her journey is a reminder that adversity can shape our aspirations and fuel our determination to succeed.
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Strategies for UPSC Aspirants
- Self-study and Discipline
- Utilizing Online Resources
- Focusing on Strong Subjects
- Health Management
- Building a Supportive Network
Although specific details about Taruni Pandey's journey are limited, these strategies could play a crucial role in any aspirant's journey. Good luck on your path to success!
- Taruni Pandey's unbroken spirit, ignited by a dynamic bureaucrat, steered her away from a career in medicine and towards the Civil Services, seeking to bring about positive change in India's history.
- Her journey, marked by personal tragedies and health issues, demonstrates how one can find new directions and set new goals in the face of adversity, such as her brother-in-law's martyrdom and her own battle with COVID-19 during the exam preparation period.
- Leveraging self-discipline, online resources, and focusing on strong subjects, Taruni secured a place in the Civil Services without any coaching or guidance.
- During her illness, she demonstrated the importance of health management, proving that one can still achieve their personal growth and career goals, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
- As a result of her inspiring journey, Taruni's story highlights the importance of diversity-and-inclusion in leadership roles and the prospective impact of leaders with unique backgrounds in shaping India's future in business, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth sectors.
- Such a profile challenges the status quo in Bollywood, encouraging more aspirants to chase careers outside the traditional fields of politics, sports, and sports-betting, thus broadening the scope of career opportunities in India.
- Overall, Taruni Pandey's story offers valuable insights not just for future Civil Services aspirants but for anyone striving for personal-growth, goal-setting, and leadership roles with a commitment to diversity-and-inclusion and positive change in various business and career sectors.
