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

Sarjana Yadav’s journey from engineer to IAS officer reflects grit and self-belief. Cracking UPSC without coaching on her third attempt, she now serves with impact while inspiring others through her story and mentorship.

Rishika Baranwal | Jun 18, 2025, 01:40 PM IST

1.From Delhi tech grad to UPSC trailblazer

From Delhi tech grad to UPSC trailblazer
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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.

 

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2.Self‑study to success-inside her strategy

Self‑study to success-inside her strategy
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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.

 

3.UPSC triumph

UPSC triumph
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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.

 

4.Female officer for people

Female officer for people
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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.

 

5.Facing challanges

Facing challanges
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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.

 

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