The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination is considered one of the toughest exams in India. Every year, thousands of candidates appear for the exam with dreams of becoming IAS, IPS or IFS officers. However, only a few succeed in clearing all three stages of the exam. Among the many inspiring success stories, the journey of IAS officer Srushti Deshmukh continues to motivate aspirants across the country.
Bright student from Bhopal who dreamed big
Srushti Deshmukh was born on March 28, 1996, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Jayant Deshmukh, is an engineer in a private company and her mother, Sunita Deshmukh, works as a teacher in a private school. From a young age, her parents encouraged her to work hard and stay focused on her goals.
Srushti was an excellent student throughout her school years. She scored a perfect 10 CGPA in Class 10 and secured 93 per cent in Class 12 from Carmel Convent School, Bhopal. She later completed her graduation in Chemical Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, in 2018. Despite her engineering degree, she wanted to serve the nation and decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Cracked UPSC in first attempt without coaching
Srushti appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2018 and cleared it in her very first attempt, reportedly without any formal coaching. At just 23 years old, she secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 5. She scored 895 marks in the Mains examination and 173 marks in the Interview round, becoming the top female candidate in the 2018 UPSC results.
Her preparation strategy focused mainly on self-study. She regularly read newspapers and watched informative programmes on Rajya Sabha TV, which helped improve her knowledge, analytical thinking and answer-writing skills.
During her UPSC training, Srushti met fellow IAS officer Nagarjun Gowda. The two developed a close bond and got engaged in August 2021. They later married in April 2022. Nagarjun Gowda, who is from Karnataka, secured AIR 418 in the 2018 UPSC exam. Currently, both IAS officers are posted in Madhya Pradesh.
Srushti Deshmukh’s journey is a strong reminder that dedication, smart preparation and self-belief can turn dreams into reality.
