Pratibha Leaves Lucrative Job to Pursue Passion for Civil Services
Pratibha credits a balanced approach and strong family support for her success, achieving AIR 356 in the UPSC exam. Defying gender stereotypes, she chose mathematics as her optional subject.
Each year, the announcement of the UPSC Civil Services Examination results generates significant excitement across the country’s top coaching institutes. Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) stands out with its remarkable success rate. This year, the academy proudly celebrates 31 candidates securing esteemed ranks in the final merit list, out of the 60 who advanced to the personality test round.
At the heart of this achievement lies the inspiring story of Pratibha Saharan, who secured an impressive All India Rank of 356. Her journey to civil services is a demonstration of the power of perseverance, strategic preparation, and the nurturing environment provided by Jamia’s RCA.
Hailing from Gurugram, Haryana, Pratibha’s academic excellence was evident from an early age. After completing her schooling, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College, followed by a Master’s degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. Her strong mathematical skills led her to a lucrative job as an analyst with Citibank.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in Pratibha’s life. While working from home, she was inspired by the sense of purpose exhibited by her family members in government services. “I wanted to be in a place where what I was doing would impact other people more than it would impact my life,” she recalls.
Driven by a desire to contribute to society and share the benefits of her education, Pratibha made the bold decision to resign from her corporate job to pursue her dream of becoming a civil servant.
Opting for the challenging Mathematics as her optional subject, Pratibha embarked on her UPSC preparation journey. She successfully cleared the Preliminary stage on her first attempt but narrowly missed qualifying for the personality test. However, in her second attempt, she achieved an impressive AIR 356.
Reflecting on her study routine, Pratibha acknowledges the demanding nature of the preparation while emphasizing the importance of balance. “I wouldn’t call it harsh,” she says, describing her schedule of dedicating mornings to Mathematics and afternoons to General Studies. Importantly, she made it a point to take breaks every weekend and occasionally indulge in hobbies like walking and exploring new eateries.
Pratibha’s association with RCA was instrumental in her success. “The library had a profound impact on my preparation, especially in maintaining consistency,” she explains. The academy’s supportive environment and the camaraderie with fellow aspirants provided solace during setbacks and inspiration during triumphs.
Addressing the stereotype of mathematics being a male-dominated field, Pratibha firmly believes that gender has no bearing on one’s aptitude for a subject. “The notion that girls cannot do mathematics is just a stereotype,” she asserts, crediting her teachers at every academic stage for nurturing her love for the subject.
While delighted with her current achievement, Pratibha remains driven to improve her rank, fueled by her family’s unwavering support. “Had it not been for my parents, I wouldn’t have left my job so confidently,” she acknowledges, highlighting the pivotal role of financial and emotional stability in embarking on the UPSC journey.
