Meet IAS officer, who cracked UPSC exam after rigorous hard work of three years, secured AIR 62, she is...

The path taken by IAS Abhilasha Sharma is a motivational example of how determination is the essential component of fulfilment. Although this adage is frequently used, it always holds great truth. Abhilasha, who was born in Haryana, presently lives in Gurugram. While trying to become an IAS officer, she encountered some early difficulties.

She had three consecutive failed attempts at the UPSC exam before she began her rigorous study sessions in 2013. That disappointment and frustration clouded her hopes for the IAS for a short while. But Abhilasha, unmoved by adversity, regained her resolve. She created a rigorous schedule and dedicated 15 to 16 hours a day to her studies, focussing on her electives of political science and international relations.

Her fourth attempt, when she achieved a respectable All India Rank of 68, marked a turning point.Abhilasha attributes her success to her proactive self-improvement and the invaluable lessons she gained from her mistakes.
 
In a recent interview, she talked about her challenging journey and stressed the important role her husband Ankit—a businessman she married in 2017—played. As their friendship developed into love, it turned into a dependable source of motivation that offered both material and emotional support.

She emphasises the significance of studying NCERT books diligently to reinforce basic knowledge, the significance of reading the newspaper daily to stay informed about current events, and the significance of approaching aptitude—a subject she herself found challenging—with sincerity. Her narrative serves as a potent illustration of the transformational potential of unwavering goal-achievement determination.