After 3 UPSC Failures, Jharkhand's Kanika Anabh Secures AIR 1 In IFS 2024
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IFS 2024: After 3 unsuccessful attempts in the UPSC Civil Services Exam, Ranchi's Kanika secures AIR 1 in Indian Forest Service, showcasing how dedication and perseverance pays off
UPSC Success Story: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the results of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination, and Kanika Anabh, a resident of Ranchi, Jharkhand, has made her city and state proud by securing All-India Rank 1 (AIR 1). Her journey to the top has been nothing short of inspiring.
Just a month ago, Kanika faced disappointment when the Civil Services Examination results were declared, and she was not among the successful candidates. It was her third unsuccessful attempt, and the setback left her disheartened. Yet, within weeks, she emerged as the topper in the IFS exam, an achievement she describes as an 'immensely joyful and emotional moment".
Kanika shared insights into her preparation strategy, noting that she studied 8 to 9 hours each day, extending to 12 hours during exam periods, beginning her day at 7:00 am. For the Mains, she placed special emphasis on government publications such as Kurukshetra and Yojana, and kept detailed, concise notes from The Hindu newspaper to stay current with affairs.
Focused And Methodical Preparation
For the preliminary exams, she relied heavily on NCERT textbooks, especially for Geography and History, revisiting them multiple times to strengthen her fundamentals. For Polity, she turned to Laxmikanth, a standard text among aspirants. To boost her confidence and practice, she solved at least 50 mock test papers before the prelims.
She currently resides in Bariatu, Ranchi, with her family. Her father, Abhay Kumar Sinha, is a retired Principal District Judge (Khunti), and her mother, Anita Sinha, is a homemaker.
Advice For Future Aspirants
Kanika has a powerful message for aspiring candidates: 'Do not be disheartened by failure. Analyse your mistakes, adjust your strategy, and stay consistent. This exam tests your patience as much as your knowledge."
She began her UPSC journey in 2021 and tasted success after four years of determined effort. Her story is a testament to the value of perseverance and the belief that every setback is a setup for a greater comeback.
First Published:
May 21, 2025, 12:36 IST
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