Every year, millions of young aspirants dream of becoming IAS or IPS officers, but only a few manage to succeed. While some depend on coaching classes and others spend endless hours preparing notes, there are those who rely entirely on self-study to clear this demanding exam. This is the inspiring story of a girl from Rajasthan who passed the UPSC exam through dedicated self-study at home.

Vandana Meena’s background 

IAS Vandana Meena hails from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. After spending her early years in the village, her family moved to Delhi. Vandana's father, Prithviraj Meena, worked with the Delhi Police. She completed her schooling at St Columba's School in Delhi and later pursued a degree in Mathematics Honours from Delhi University. Following her graduation, Vandana began her preparations for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

Vandana Meena’s UPSC preparation

What stands out the most is that Vandana cleared the UPSC exam without any coaching or notes. In an interview, she shared that growing up in an environment where government jobs were highly valued, she was naturally inspired to pursue a career in civil services. After completing her graduation, she began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The remarkable part of her journey is that she achieved success through sheer self-study, without enrolling in any coaching. 

Vandana used YouTube to learn about exam-related topics and bought books online for her preparation. Her determination and hard work paid off when she succeeded in the 2021 UPSC exam. Her story serves as a powerful inspiration for all the young individuals striving to fulfil their dreams, even with limited resources.