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Himani Meena has earned a notable 323rd rank in the UPSC 2020 examination, a testament to her determination and hard work. Born on August 16, 1994, Himani completed her schooling at Pragyan Public School in Jewar. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and went on to obtain an MA in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she is also pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field.

Himani Meena’s father, Indrajit Meena, is a farmer with a 12th-grade education. Originally from Rajasthan, he resides in Sirsa Machipur village in Jewar Tehsil, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Noida.

In an interview with Bureaucrats Media, Himani Meena credits her father with inspiring her to pursue the UPSC exams from an early age, a goal that eventually became her own. She acknowledges the significant financial and emotional support she received from her parents, noting, “They never imposed any barriers; instead, they acted as a shield, protecting me from social pressures. With their unwavering support, along with the encouragement from friends, I never felt the urge to give up.”

When asked about the key to her success, Himani Meena emphasized, “There’s no secret beyond hard work. To achieve your goals, whether in Civil Services or any other field, dedication is crucial.” She further elaborated, “For the UPSC, persistence and patience are essential. Aspirants must be prepared to encounter setbacks and learn how to regroup and continue after facing failure.”

During her preparation, Himani Meena dedicated a minimum of eight hours each day to her studies, with consistency proving crucial to her success. Her UPSC journey culminated in her fourth attempt. She revealed, “I failed to clear the preliminary stage in my first three attempts. After the third attempt, I opted for coaching, which addressed the gaps in my previous efforts.”

The UPSC exam, renowned for its rigor, remains one of the most challenging tests to conquer.
During her preparation, Himani Meena dedicated a minimum of eight hours each day to her studies, with consistency proving crucial to her success. Her UPSC journey culminated in her fourth attempt. She revealed, “I failed to clear the preliminary stage in my first three attempts. After the third attempt, I opted for coaching, which addressed the gaps in my previous efforts.”

The UPSC exam, renowned for its rigor, remains one of the most challenging tests to conquer.
Pics © IAS Himani Meena
You can follow on https://www.instagram.com/himani_ias2021/

True triumph in life belongs to those who face and overcome challenges with unwavering courage. A shining example of this resilience is IPS Aashna Chaudhary. Hailing from Pilkhua in Hapur district, Uttar Pradesh, Aashna’s background is grounded in a supportive family: her father, Dr. Ajit Chaudhary, is a professor at a government university, while her mother, Indu Singh, manages the home.

Aashna’s academic journey took her through several prestigious schools, including St. Xavier’s in Pilkhua, St. Mary’s in Udaipur, and Delhi Public School in Ghaziabad. Her academic excellence was evident when she achieved an impressive 96.5 percent in her 12th grade examinations.

She continued her academic journey by pursuing a degree in English Literature at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, and later completed a master’s in International Relations at South Asian University. While undertaking her postgraduate studies, she also contributed her efforts to an NGO dedicated to supporting underprivileged children.

After completing her graduation in 2019, she embarked on her UPSC preparation, motivated by family encouragement. Her first attempt in 2020 followed a year of rigorous study, but she did not succeed. Despite another setback in 2021, she remained resolute. In her third attempt in 2022, she triumphed, securing an impressive All India Rank of 116 with 992 marks out of 2025, all achieved without formal coaching. Her perseverance paid off as she landed her top choice: the Indian Police Service (IPS).

She maintains a robust presence on social media, particularly Instagram, where she has amassed over 107,000 followers.

In her advice to aspiring candidates, she emphasizes: “Never abandon your dreams. Failure is merely a stepping stone to success. Use your setbacks as learning opportunities to continuously improve. Believe in your potential, work diligently with passion and dedication, and success will inevitably follow.”
Pics © IAS Aashna Chaudhary
You can follow on https://www.instagram.com/aashna.chaudhary.79/