Vandana Singh Chauhan's journey from Narsullahgarh, Haryana, to success in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams is a testament to resilience and triumph. Only a small number of aspirants achieve success in their first UPSC attempt, and with immense dedication and hard work Vandana made it happen. 

Who is Vandana Singh Chauhan?

Vandana Singh Chauhan was born on April 4, 1989, in Haryana. Her family never prioritized girls’ education and refused to educate Vandana like the sons of the family. Despite facing opposition from her relatives due to this, Vandana remained steadfast in her dream of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Father’s support

Vandana and her father had to face resistance from the relatives who disapproved of her education. Despite familial objections, her father ensured her admission to a gurukul in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Vandana faced objections from her grandparents, uncles, and aunts, but her father’s support encouraged her to achieve tremendous success.

Education

After completing her intermediate education, Vandana embarked on studying law and preparing for the UPSC exams. Despite being enrolled at B.R. Ambedkar University in Agra, she chose to study from home. Vandana devoted approximately 12 to 14 hours each day to her studies, displaying an unparalleled commitment. 

With support from her brother, Vandana cleared the Hindi-medium UPSC exam in 2012 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 8 in her first attempt. Subsequently, she became an inspiration for numerous rural girls who lacked access to English-medium schools. Presently, she serves as the District Magistrate of Nainital district.