New Delhi, August 2025: In a story that showcases grit, resilience, and determination, S Aswathy, the daughter of a daily-wage construction labourer, has emerged as an inspiring figure for lakhs of UPSC aspirants across the country.
Aswathy, who once worked with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), decided to leave her corporate job to chase her dream of becoming a civil servant. The journey, however, was anything but easy. After three consecutive failed attempts, she finally cracked the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 481.
Early Life and Challenges
Coming from a modest background, Aswathy grew up seeing her father work tirelessly as a construction labourer to support the family. Financial struggles were constant, yet education was always a priority in the household. With hard work and dedication, she graduated in engineering and secured a stable job at TCS, one of India’s leading IT companies.
But deep down, she knew her true calling lay in public service. Despite the comfort of a well-paying job, she chose the difficult road — resigning from TCS to prepare full-time for UPSC.
The UPSC Journey: Failures That Became Lessons
Her first three attempts ended in failure — a phase where many aspirants lose hope. But Aswathy treated each setback as a stepping stone.
She refined her preparation strategy, changed her study methods, and focused on answer-writing practice, current affairs, and mock tests. With every failure, she grew stronger.
“Failures don’t define you, they prepare you for success. Every unsuccessful attempt taught me what not to do in the next,” she said in an interview after the results.
The Breakthrough: AIR 481 in UPSC 2024
In her fourth attempt, Aswathy finally broke through and secured AIR 481, making her and her family proud. The result not only validates her hard work but also stands as a powerful example for aspirants who come from economically weaker sections.
Her journey highlights that with persistence and determination, one can overcome the toughest challenges — even when the odds seem stacked against you.
Message to Aspirants
Aswathy’s advice to fellow aspirants is simple yet impactful:
- Stay consistent with preparation.
- Don’t let failures discourage you.
- Focus on NCERTs, standard books, and revision.
- Work on answer-writing to score better in Mains.
- Believe in yourself, even when the world doubts you.
Why Her Story Matters
Every year, over 10 lakh candidates apply for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, but less than 1,000 make it to the final list. For someone like Aswathy, who fought against financial hardships, family struggles, and repeated failures, her success is a shining example that dreams don’t discriminate — it’s hard work that matters.
Her journey from a TCS employee to a UPSC civil servant is not just a career change; it’s a life-changing leap of faith that inspires countless aspirants across India.