Meet IAS Sarjana Yadav, perfect example of 'beauty with brain', cracked UPSC exam without any coaching with AIR..., now posted in...

Sarjana Yadav, born on 13 July 1991 in Delhi, graduated with distinction in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Delhi Technological University. After completing her engineering in 2015, she began working as a Research Officer at TRAI, fueling her aspiration to crack UPSC alongside a full‑time job.

Rather than joining an IAS coaching institute, Sarjana Yadav prepared through self-study, masterfully managing her time while in service at TRAI. She emphasised revision, selective materials, daily reading of The Hindu, digital note-taking, and weekly answer-writing drills to sharpen her skills.

In 2016 and 2017, Sarjana Yadav attempted UPSC but didn’t clear. Undeterred, she resigned in 2018 and gave her best shot, earning AIR 126 in the 2019 exam. She achieved this entirely through disciplined self-study, no coaching, no shortcuts.

Sarjana Yadav was allocated the 2019 IAS batch under Madhya Pradesh cadre in September 2020. Currently serving as Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Chanakyapuri, Delhi, and previously holding positions like District Magistrate and Additional DM, she’s driven initiatives in women’s empowerment and civic welfare.

Despite her success, Sarjana Yadav faced scrutiny over an OBC‑NCL certificate, with critics alleging eligibility issues. These claims remain unverified. Meanwhile, she continues mentoring aspirants via social media, boasting over 190K followers and inspiring them to believe in self‑study and perseverance.