Ghanshyam Meena, a 2015 IAS batch officer, currently serves as the Municipal Commissioner in Firozabad. His wife, Anita Yadav, from the 2017 IAS batch, holds the position of Chief Development Officer in Ayodhya.
The evolution of relationships into companionship and a shared journey is always captivating. This is the story of a couple, both Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, who began their civil services preparation together and eventually became life partners. The husband first secured his IAS position and later inspired his wife to pursue and achieve the same goal. Today, both serve as IAS officers in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre.
Ghanshyam Meena, a 2015 IAS batch officer, currently serves as the Municipal Commissioner in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh. His wife, Anita Yadav, from the 2017 IAS batch, is the Chief Development Officer in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The story behind their success is particularly compelling.
Ghanshyam Meena, one of seven siblings, was raised in a family where education was a priority. His father, an Additional Commissioner, consistently stressed the importance of academic achievement. With siblings excelling in diverse fields like medicine, engineering, and accounting, Ghanshyam found a constant source of inspiration within his family.
After completing his schooling at Birla Senior Secondary School in Pilani, Ghanshyam Meena pursued a degree in engineering from BITS Pilani, graduating in 2009. The global economic downturn made job opportunities scarce at that time, prompting him to turn towards civil services.
Ghanshyam moved to Delhi for his UPSC preparations but faced initial setbacks. Despite this, he persisted and successfully cleared the written exam for the Rajasthan PCS on his first attempt. During his interview preparation in Jodhpur, he met Anita, who was also preparing for the UPSC interviews. Both aspiring civil servants decided to prepare for the UPSC exam together.
Anita cleared the UPSC Prelims in 2013 but did not pass the Mains on her first attempt. With coaching and support from Ghanshyam, she persisted and secured a position in the Rajasthan PCS cadre in 2014.
Balancing work and study was a significant challenge for the couple. Ghanshyam, after working full days at the Commerce Department, dedicated his evenings to UPSC preparation, while Anita focused on her PCS studies. Ghanshyam’s strategic shift in 2014 led to his success in clearing the Rajasthan PCS.
In 2015, Anita cleared the UPSC Mains but then faced the challenge of preparing for the interview. Despite the difficulties, they managed to balance their commitments. On December 8, they took the UPSC Mains exam, and on November 22, they got married. The journey was arduous, but Anita ultimately secured an All India Rank of 350 in the 2017 UPSC examination, joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
Ghanshyam emphasizes that the key elements for UPSC preparation are group studies, genuine effort, and unwavering perseverance. Those who adhere to these principles will find success in their endeavors.
