Civil Services is one of India’s most difficult tests to pass. Every year, lakhs of people apply to take the competitive exam, but only a small number of them make the final cut. Several former UPSC applicants, however, were successful in passing the UPSC CSE exam on their first, second, or even fifth attempt. Today, we’ll look at Smita Chaudhary’s success story, in which she achieved UPSC rank 4 at the age of 23.
Smita Sabharwal, a famous Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Telangana cadre and a member of the 2001 batch, has earned the moniker “The People’s Officer” for her fast and sympathetic approach to handling citizens’ problems. She is renowned for being the first female IAS officer appointed to the Chief Minister’s Office.
She is currently the Chief Minister’s Secretary in Telangana, and she also serves as the Secretary of the Mission Bhagiratha Department’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department. Her tenacity and triumphs have earned her a lot of respect and appreciation.
Smita Sabharwal failed the prelims on her first attempt in 2000, but she passed the UPSC test with an AIR 4 on her second attempt. She achieved this feat at the stunningly young age of 23. In 2001, she completed a rigorous administrative training curriculum at Mussoorie’s prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. During her probationary period, she received essential training in the Adilabad area, laying the framework for a successful career in the civil services.
Prior to her UPSC triumph, Smita had previously exhibited exceptional academic achievement by receiving the All India First Rank in her Class 12 board exams. She received her formal education at St. Ann’s in Marredpally, Hyderabad, and her B.Com. at St. Francis Degree College for Women.
Smita Sabharwal, an IAS, is a well-known social media personality and an active member of the civil service. Over four lakh people follow her on Twitter, where she frequently expresses her views on women’s issues.
She is also popular on Instagram, where she routinely shares photographs and videos exposing details about her coursework and the numerous activities she engages in to relieve stress. Smita’s use of social media reflects her dedication to her work as well as her efforts to involve the public.
Because her father, Colonel PK Das, is a retired army officer, IAS Smita Sabharwal, who is originally from Darjeeling, refers to herself as a “Army Brat.” While serving as the Municipal Commissioner of Warangal, Smita Sabharwal created the innovative “Fund your City” campaign. She made it feasible to create many public infrastructure such as traffic junctions, foot overbridges, bus stations, and parks through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Her performance in this position was commendable.
She took the position of Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Taxes in Visakhapatnam after her stint in Warangal, exhibiting her adaptability and commitment to working in diverse administrative roles.