From Medicine to IAS: The journey of a doctor to Civils

August 8, 2023 Unknown Wizards Valli Sarvani No comments

Many aspirants aiming for success in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam often believe that focusing on humanities subjects and selecting a familiar optional subject are the keys to cracking the challenging Civils exam.

While this strategy may offer an advantage, it’s noteworthy that numerous IAS officers who have triumphed in the exam come from diverse academic backgrounds, like engineering and medicine.

Artika Shukla, a remarkable IAS officer, serves as a shining example in this regard, having forsaken her pursuit of an MD degree to embark on her journey as an IAS officer.

Hailing from Varanasi, Shukla holds an MBBS degree from New Delhi’s Maulana Azad Medical College.

After her graduation, she commenced her MD studies at PGIMIR in Chandigarh.

However, it was during this period that her path took an unexpected turn. Encouraged by her brother, Artika decided to redirect her aspirations toward the UPSC CSE.

In a bold move, she chose to abandon her MD course midway and dedicated herself to UPSC preparation.

Eschewing the conventional coaching classes, she instead relied on her brother Utkarsh Shukla’s meticulously crafted notes, immersing herself in the rigorous study regimen demanded by the Civil Services exams.

The fruits of her labour materialized when Artika Shukla appeared for the UPSC CSE in 2015 and accomplished a remarkable feat – she secured an All India Rank of 4 in her very first attempt.

Coincidentally, the same year witnessed the emergence of other notable achievers, with IAS officer Tina Dabi securing Rank 1 and Athar Amir Khan attaining Rank 2.

Artika Shukla’s inspirational journey underscores the profound impact of determination, unconventional choices, and focused self-study.

Her trajectory proves that while humanities subjects may offer an advantage, diverse educational backgrounds and resolute dedication can also lead to triumphant outcomes in the demanding realm of the UPSC CSE.

As her story intertwines with those of other successful candidates, it amplifies the truth that the path to becoming an IAS officer is as diverse as the individuals who traverse it.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)