When discussing government examinations in India, it is common to acknowledge their inherent difficulty. The UPSC Civil Services exam, undoubtedly, stands out as one of the most challenging tests in the country. For those seeking comprehensive coaching for the UPSC civil services, this article provides all the necessary information to join the top IAS coaching institutes in India. Let us engage in focused preparation for the civil service exam to achieve a high score.

Becoming a civil servant is a cherished aspiration for many individuals, yet only a select few manage to attain this goal year after year. Despite numerous students participating in this prestigious event, only a few emerge victorious. One such aspirant is Surabhi Gautam, an aspiring IAS officer.

Surabhi Gautam Biography

Surabhi Gautam, an IAS officer, achieved remarkable success by clearing the exam on her first attempt and securing an impressive 50th rank in the All India Rankings. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Collector in Vadodara, Gujarat. Surabhi hails from Amdara Village in the Satna District of Madhya Pradesh, which she proudly calls her home. Growing up in a joint family, she received equal treatment and opportunities alongside other children. However, a significant incident completely transformed Surabhi's life and that of her parents. Despite studying in a Hindi Medium School, Surabhi consistently excelled in her class, consistently earning high marks.

Surabhi Gautam’s Husband

Surabhi Gautam IAS remains unmarried, indicating her lack of a spouse. She currently maintains a single marital status while prioritizing her career and wholeheartedly serving the nation.

Age

Starting from her teenage years, Surabhi Gautam IAS displayed remarkable academic brilliance. She achieved an impressive score of 93.4% on her boards, securing a gold medal and topping her university. Surabhi Gautam IAS's current age remains undisclosed.

Catch Her on Instagram

Her Instagram account, under the handle of Surabhi Gautam IAS, lacks activity with no posts, zero following, and over 5600 followers.

UPSC Rank

Surabhi Gautam, an IAS topper and gold medalist, not only achieved an impressive feat by cracking the examination on her very first attempt but also secured the 50th rank in the All India Rankings (AIR). Currently, she serves as the Assistant Collector and District Development Officer in Viramgam District, Ahmedabad.

Marksheet

Everyone was amazed by her marksheet, which always left a lasting impression. With a father working as a lawyer in the Civil Court and a mother who was a teacher, Surabhi pursued higher studies in Bhopal after successfully cracking the State Engineering entrance exam following her Class 12 boards. She takes immense pride in her Engineering Degree in Electronics and Communications.

Surabhi Gautam IAS completed her education in a government school, where Hindi was the medium of instruction. Despite facing numerous challenges during her school days, she courageously overcame them all.

Her dedication to academics was evident from her impressive marks in the 12th grade. Scoring 93.4% in the 10th grade, Surabhi's exceptional preparation allowed her to achieve a perfect score of 100 in both mathematics and science.

Being listed on the state's merit list came as no surprise given her outstanding performance in both the 10th and 12th grades. Surabhi Gautam IAS cleared the UPSC exam on her first attempt in 2016.

In the UPSC mains exam, she obtained 143 marks in Paper-I Essay, 126 marks in Paper-II General Studies, 96 marks in General Studies Paper-III, and 110 marks in General Studies Paper-V. She chose Electrical Engineering as her first Optional Subject and scored 129 marks in Paper-VI.

Her second Optional Subject was also Electrical Engineering, specifically Paper-VII. In the written exam, she achieved a total score of 856, and in the personality test, she secured 198 marks. With a combined score of 1054, she successfully joined the Indian Civil Service.

More about Her IAS Journey

Prior to attempting the Civil Services Examination, she demonstrated exceptional proficiency in various examinations such as GATE, ISRO, SAIL, MPPSC PCS, SSC CGL, Delhi Police, and FCI. Among her numerous accomplishments, she notably attained the first rank (AIR 1) in the IES exams of 2013.

Her Strategy for UPSC Preparation

Many aspirants follow the UPSC preparation strategy recommended by her. Surbhi Gautam, an IAS officer who secured the 50th rank in the CSE (Civil Services Examination) in 2016, serves as a source of motivation for dedicated aspirants striving towards their goals.

She undertook the UPSC civil service examination preparation independently, without any coaching, demonstrating her strong commitment to the process. Let's take a brief look at her journey.

Opt for Optional Subject Wisely

Surabhi advises aspiring candidates to meticulously select their optional subject, emphasizing that the key differentiator between high scorers and others lies in the choice of optional subject.

It is crucial to choose a subject that one is familiar and comfortable with, a subject that has been thoroughly studied and worked on during graduation or post-graduation.

According to Surabhi, subjects such as Sociology, History, and Geography can contribute significantly to achieving good overall scores.

Surabhi herself experienced a period of uncertainty when deciding on her optional subject. She recalls the extensive contemplation she went through before ultimately opting for Electrical Engineering. She acknowledges that given more time, she might have chosen differently, but she appreciates her decision to select a subject she had previously studied.

Time management is crucial when it comes to competitive exams. The depth of your knowledge in a specific subject outweighs the sheer quantity of content studied. Surabhi emphasizes the effectiveness of thoroughly studying the optional subject.

To effectively manage time, it's important to create a well-planned schedule that takes into account your strengths and weaknesses. Adhering to this schedule is extremely important and should be followed diligently.

Revision plays a significant role in exam preparation. Surabhi believes that nearly 80 percent of the work is accomplished during the prelims. However, consistent revision and updating of the studied material are necessary. She recommends the practice of "sit-write-check-repeat," emphasizing the importance of writing answers manually instead of simply skimming through notes.

Practicing test papers from previous years is the best way to gauge your level of preparedness for the exam. It helps you understand the paper's pattern, identify areas of weakness that require more attention, and recognize your strengths that need improvement.

During the last week before the exam, Surabhi suggests stopping regular studying. Instead, she advises choosing random topics and writing extensive essays on them, which can improve performance in crucial areas.

While attempting the paper, it is advisable to quickly review the entire paper to understand the division of sections. Spending excessive time on low-mark questions is discouraged. Allocating time according to the marks allotted for each question and reviewing and marking answers as needed is recommended.

For assistance in UPSC preparation, UPSCpathshala provides essential details and materials for the exam. They offer guidance and practice test papers, all accessible with a simple subscription. Surabhi Gautam, an IAS officer, wisely chose her optional subject, Electrical Engineering, leveraging her background in engineering to score well in the UPSC Civil Service Examination. She motivates aspirants to select a strong optional subject, as confidence and proficiency in it can boost their marks.

Her Current Posting

Surabhi Gautam, an IAS officer, is currently working as the Assistant Collector and District Development Officer in the Viramgam district of Ahmedabad. Before her current posting, she served as the Assistant Collector in the Vadodara district of Gujarat. Surabhi proudly refers to her residence as Amdara Village, located in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.

Conclusion

Surabhi Gautam, an IAS officer, serves as an inspiration as she overcame numerous obstacles in her life with unwavering commitment and dedication to prepare for the UPSC exam. She self-studied and successfully cracked the UPSC exam on her first attempt, securing the 50th rank. Her hard work paid off when she achieved her goal of becoming an IAS officer, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and focus in achieving one's aspirations.

If you also have aspirations of clearing the UPSC Civil Service Examination, UPSC Pathshala provides comprehensive guidance and detailed information to aid in your exam preparation. They offer one-on-one sessions, interactive question-asking sessions, and recorded videos that can be accessed at your convenience. Don't miss this golden opportunity and take advantage of their free demo trial.

How do you plan to prepare for the UPSC Civil Service exam? Share your thoughts with us by commenting below. Let's embark on our journey to prepare for this prestigious exam together with UPSC Pathshala. It is considered the best UPSC IAS coaching in India due to its exceptional mentorships and high-quality content. Choose your civil service exam preparation platform wisely to ensure success in achieving your dreams.