Failed Three Times, Then… How Saumya Secured AIR-18 and Became an IAS Officer — A Powerful Lesson for UPSC Aspirants

Success Story: The journey to cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination demands consistency, hard work, and the right direction. The inspiring story of Saumya Mishra, who failed the exam three times but secured All India Rank 18 in her fourth attempt, is a powerful reminder that persistence pays off.

“Those Who Keep Trying Never Fail” — The Story of Saumya Mishra

Saumya Mishra’s UPSC journey is a testament to determination. Despite facing repeated setbacks, she refused to quit. After three unsuccessful attempts, she turned her failures into stepping stones and cleared UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR-18, finally achieving her dream of becoming an IAS officer.

Her success story has now become a source of motivation for lakhs of UPSC aspirants across India.

Academic Background: A Brilliant Student from DU

Saumya hails from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. Her father, Raghvendra Mishra, later shifted to Delhi where he works as a Hindi professor. Her mother, Renu Mishra, is a homemaker.

Academically bright, Saumya completed her graduation from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, followed by a Master’s degree from the Delhi School of Economics.

Before UPSC, She Secured Rank-2 in UPPCS

Saumya’s strong academic foundation helped her qualify the UPPCS 2021 exam, where she secured Rank-2 and was appointed as an SDM.

But the SDM post was not her final destination. Her lifelong dream was to crack UPSC and join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Balancing her administrative duties with exam preparation, she continued her journey toward the Civil Services.

Three Failures… and Then AIR-18

Saumya struggled in her first three attempts — unable to clear either the Prelims or the Interview stage.
However, she remained focused, corrected her mistakes, and strengthened her preparation strategy.

In the UPSC CSE 2024, her perseverance finally paid off. She secured All India Rank 18, bringing immense pride to her family. She recalls the moment she informed her parents as “the happiest moment of my life.”

Guidance That Changed Her Path

While serving as an SDM, Saumya managed both her official responsibilities and study schedule. She credits a major part of her success to the support and motivation provided by District Magistrate Priyanka Niranjan, whose mentorship helped Saumya refine her strategy and stay focused.

Her Message to UPSC Aspirants

Saumya advises candidates not to be discouraged by rejection.
Her message:

• Analyze your mistakes instead of fearing failure
• Stay focused and maintain a positive mindset
• Consistency matters more than speed
• Support from family and mentors plays a major role in success

Her journey proves that with resilience, dedication, and the right guidance, even repeated failures cannot stop one from achieving their dreams.