UPSC Success Story: Becoming an IAS officer is a dream that demands years of dedication, perseverance, and repeated attempts at the UPSC Civil Services Examination. While many continue to strive for success, only a few manage to clear it on their first attempt. One such remarkable individual is IAS officer Artika Shukla.
Artika first achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor before turning her focus to the civil services. With the encouragement of her family, she went on to become an IAS officer without any formal coaching. Let’s look at her inspiring journey.
Artika Shukla hails from Varanasi. Her mother, Leena Shukla, is a homemaker, while her father, Dr Brijesh Shukla, is a medical professional. She has two elder brothers, Utkarsh and Gaurav Shukla, both of whom have also cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Her brother Gaurav cracked the exam in 2012, while the other is currently serving as an IRTS (Indian Railway Traffic Service) officer.
Since her school days, Artika had aspired to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor. She completed her schooling at St John’s School in Delhi and worked steadily towards her goal. She later pursued MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College and went on to do her MD from PGIMER. By achieving both degrees, she successfully fulfilled her childhood dream.
After becoming a doctor, Artika set her sights on a new dream, to become an IAS officer. With just one year of focused preparation, and no coaching, she took the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2015 and secured an All India Rank (AIR) 4 on her first attempt.
Artika is married to IAS officer Jasmeet Sandhu, who ranked third in the UPSC 2015 exam. Jasmeet and Artika tied the knot in 2017. While Artika initially served in the Union Territory cadre, she later joined Jasmeet in the Rajasthan cadre, where both continue to serve the nation.
Artika Shukla’s story stands as a testament to the power of determination, family support, and self-belief. From becoming a doctor to earning a top rank in UPSC without coaching, her journey continues to inspire thousands of aspirants across the country.