Success rarely comes easy, but what makes it happen is determination and willpower, and UPSC rank holder Prachi Chauhan's success story reflects the same. Hailing from Jauhad village in Vidisha district, Prachi Chauhan, a farmer's daughter, secured an impressive AIR 260 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. With her rank, she became the Hindi medium topper in what is considered one of India's toughest examinations. Now Prachi's journey has become an inspiration for thousands of aspirants preparing for the examination.
Background and Early Life
Prachi's father, Chandrabhan Singh Chauhan, is a farmer, while her mother, Sadhna Singh Chauhan, is a homemaker. She completed her early education in her village and later pursued graduation from a government college in Vidisha. Prachi first decided to prepare for UPSC when she was in her BSc second year. What makes her story even more compelling is that for a long time, Prachi wasn't aware of the details of civil services. She came across the details during her visits to government offices, where she observed that the important duties were handled by the collector. From there, something sparked the inspiration in her.
Struggles and Preparation
Prachi, the eldest among five siblings, also faced financial struggles during her preparation and relied largely on self-study and online courses. After clearing prelims in her fourth attempt, she moved to Delhi to prepare for the mains examination and interview. While speaking to Drishti IAS, Prachi Chauhan shared that the biggest secret behind her success was "constant hardwork." Reflecting on her UPSC journey, she said, "Fourth attempt hai, bohot ups and downs dekhe," highlighting the struggles she faced before finally achieving success.
Message to Aspirants
In another interview with The News Pinch, Prachi encouraged aspirants not to fear failure. According to her, "Failure is a part of life. It gives us a chance to work on our mistakes." Prachi also spoke emotionally about the role her parents played throughout her preparation journey. She shared, "Agar aapke mummy papa kehte hain ki aap mein vishwas hai ki aap karloge, toh lagta hai ki unhe humpe itna vishwas… agar hum nahi bhi kar sakte naa toh bhi kar lenge unke liye." Calling her mother her biggest strength, she added, "Puri taiyari mein mummy meri backbone thi."
Conclusion
Prachi Chauhan's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-belief, and hard work. From a small village to achieving one of the highest ranks in the UPSC exam, her journey inspires countless aspirants to chase their dreams despite obstacles.
