Date: Tuesday, July 01, 2025, Neha Byadwal is a young and inspiring IAS officer from India. She became famous after clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination at a very young age. Her story is about hard work, simple living, and never giving up, even after facing many failures. Today, many students look up to her as a role model.
Early Life And Family
Neha Byadwal was born on July 3, 1999, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Her father, Shravan Kumar, is a senior officer in the Income Tax Department. Because of his government job, Neha’s family moved to many cities. She spent her childhood in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Neha’s father’s dedication to public service inspired her to dream of becoming a civil servant too,
Neha studied in different schools, including Kidzee High School in Bhopal, DPS Korba, and DPS Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, Changing schools often was not easy, but it helped her learn to adjust to new places and people. She was a good student and always wanted to do something special in life.
Education and College Life
After finishing school, Neha went to DB Girls College in Raipur, where she studied history, economics, and geography[6]. She was a university topper in college. Later, she passed the entrance exam for IIT Kanpur, one of the best colleges in India[3]. There, she completed her B.S. and M.S. in Economics[3]. Her strong academic background helped her a lot during her UPSC preparation.
Neha Byadwal UPSC, Age, Wiki, Biography, Rank, Marksheet
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Neha Byadwal |
| Date of Birth | 3 July 1999 |
| Birthplace | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Raised In | Chhattisgarh (due to father’s transferable job) |
| Father’s Occupation | Senior Income Tax Officer |
| Education (Schooling) | DPS Korba, DPS Bilaspur |
| Education (College) | DB Girls College, Raipur (Topper in History, Geography, Economics) |
| Higher Education | B.S. and M.S. in Economics from IIT Kanpur |
| Early Academic Struggles | Failed in Class 5 due to language barrier, but overcame it |
| Other Exams Cleared | Qualified SSC Exams multiple times, but did not join |
| UPSC Attempts | 5 |
| First Three Attempts | Failed Prelims (1st & 2nd), Failed Mains (3rd) |
| UPSC Success Year | 2021 (AIR 569), 2023 (AIR 260) |
| UPSC Rank (Best) | All India Rank 260 (UPSC CSE 2023) |
| Marks in UPSC | 960 (809 in Mains, 151 in Interview) |
| Age at Success | 24 (AIR 569), 22 (AIR 260) |
| Batch | 2022 |
| Cadre | Gujarat |
| Current Posting (2025) | Joint Magistrate, Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh; also posted as Supernumerary Assistant Collector, Bharuch, Gujarat |
| Preparation Strategy | Stayed away from mobile and social media for 3 years; studied 17-18 hours daily |
| Key Preparation Methods | Self-study, mock tests, daily targets, answer writing practice, time management, family support |
| Languages Learned | Overcame struggle with English in early schooling |
| Role Model/Support | Inspired by father and supported by family |
| Known For | Discipline, resilience, and inspiring UPSC aspirants |
| Retirement Year | 2059 (expected) |
| Motivational Message | Hard work, focus, self-belief, and learning from failures |
The UPSC Dream and Struggles
Neha always wanted to become an IAS officer. Before UPSC, she cleared the SSC exam several times, but she did not join any job because her main aim was to serve the country as a civil servant[6]. She started preparing for the UPSC exam after her graduation.
Her journey was not easy. Neha failed the UPSC exam three times. In her first two attempts, she could not pass the prelims. In her third attempt, she reached the mains but did not clear it[5]. These failures made her sad, but she did not give up. Instead, she worked even harder.
Unique Study Habits
After failing three times, Neha realized that she needed to change her study habits. She found that using her mobile phone and social media was distracting her from studies. So, she made a big decision. She stopped using her phone and stayed away from social media for almost three years while preparing for UPSC. This was a very tough choice, especially for a young person in today’s world.
Neha studied for 17-18 hours every day. She made daily targets for herself and tried to finish them on time. She believed that hard work and discipline were the only ways to succeed. Her family supported her throughout this journey.
Success at Last
In her fourth attempt, Neha finally cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021. She secured All India Rank 569 at the age of 24. This was a big achievement. Her hard work and sacrifice paid off. She became one of the youngest IAS officers in India.
Later, in another attempt, she secured an even better rank—All India Rank 260—at the age of 22, and joined the Gujarat cadre as an IAS officer. She is now posted as a Supernumerary Assistant Collector in Bharuch, Gujarat. Her retirement is scheduled for July 31, 2059.
Facing Criticism
Neha’s unique preparation style got a lot of attention on social media. Some people praised her for her discipline. Others criticized her, saying that staying away from the real world for so long might make officers less connected to common people’s problems. Some even called for changes in the way UPSC officers are selected, suggesting that work experience should be required. But Neha believes that focus and dedication are important for any big goal.
Personal Life and Values
Neha’s life is simple. She learned from her failures and never lost hope. She believes that every problem has a solution. Her story shows that success comes to those who keep trying and do not give up easily.
She also believes in helping others. Now, as an IAS officer, she works to solve people’s problems and make their lives better. She shares her story to inspire other students. She tells them to set small goals every day and finish them. This gives confidence and helps in reaching bigger goals.
Advice for Aspirants
Neha Byadwal gives simple advice to UPSC aspirants:
Work hard every day. There is no shortcut to success.
Stay away from distractions. Focus on your studies.
Set daily targets. Completing small goals will keep you motivated.
Believe in yourself. Never lose hope, even after failing.
Learn from your mistakes. Every failure teaches something new.
Conclusion
Neha Byadwal’s journey is a story of hard work, sacrifice, and never giving up. She faced many failures but kept moving forward. Her decision to stay away from her phone and social media for three years is proof of her strong willpower. Today, she serves the country as an IAS officer and inspires thousands of young students across India[1][3][6]. Her life shows that with simple habits, discipline, and dedication, anyone can achieve their dreams.
