Studied MBBS and MD, topped Haryana Civil Services, got married, cracked UPSC twice while raising a kid, her AIR was..., she is...
The UPSC exam is often touted as the most difficult competitive exam in India. The Union Public Service Commission holds the exam once a year, and lakhs of candidates from various academic and professional backgrounds enroll each year in pursuit of IAS, IPS, IFS, and other prestigious services.
Despite the great competition and unfathomable effort that candidates exert towards UPSC preparation, many candidates take a leap of faith and chase this dream while juggling a job, family, and other commitments. Dr. Pragati Verma, who obtained AIR 355 for UPSC 2023, is one of these impressive individuals, with a great story to tell, demonstrating if you are sufficiently dedicated and have the right mindset, you can achieve even the biggest goals, regardless of circumstances.
What makes her accomplishment even more outstanding is that she did this while working at a hospital and preparing for her exams, demonstrating her ability to handle both work responsibilities and intense preparation efforts.
Dr. Pragati Verma, who achieved All India Rank(AIR) 355 in the UPSC 2023 examination, is from Meham sub-division in the Rohtak district of Haryana. Speaking about her educational qualification, Pragati finished her schooling from Meham, did MBBS from PGIMS Rohtak, and pursued MD in Radiodiagnosis at PGIMER Chandigarh.
After her postgraduation, she worked as a Senior Resident at AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh for one year. After one year, she married Dr. Atul Verma. The couple is blessed with a son, named Rajvardhan Verma. After marriage, she worked in private and corporate hospitals in Kurukshetra as a Radiology Consultant while simultaneously preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
As per a report of News18 Hindi, Dr. Pragati Verma started her UPSC preparation in May 2021 and subsequently appeared for the 2021 Preliminary exam a few months later. However, she narrowly missed qualifying by approximately 10 marks. She did not let it stop her from repeatedly strategizing her preparation and in her second attempt, passed Prelims, Mains, Interview, and got an All India Rank of 740. She belonged to the OBC category. She obtained 756 marks in the written examination and 171 marks in the personality test. Overall, she secured 927 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2022. Her All India Rank(AIR) was 740.
With an aim to be in the IAS, she sat for the UPSC 2023 exam and got AIR 355. She obtained 787 marks in the written examination and 175 marks in the personality test. Overall, she secured 962 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2023. Her All India Rank(AIR) was 355.
In 2023, Dr Pragati Verma obtained 2nd rank in the Haryana Civil Services (HCS), also securing All India Rank 740 in UPSC 2022-23. After her success in HCS, she joined the service and worked in the Ambala Division as an Officer on Special Duty to the Commissioner.
According to OdishaTV, at the age of 31 and as a mother to a three-year-old son, Rani secured 355th rank in the UPSC exam, improving her performance from her previous attempt. With this achievement, she is now set to become an IAS officer.
Dr Pragati Verma comes from a family with a strong tradition of public service. Her father is a primary teacher, while her mother works in the health department. For added context, her father-in-law, R.C. Verma, is a retired IAS officer and served as Deputy Commissioner in four districts of Haryana, including Bhiwani, Palwal, Nuh, and Rewari.
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