Neha Byadwal’s Inspiring Journey: From Failing Class 5 to Cracking UPSC with AIR 569
UPSC is one of the toughest exams in India, and there is no denying that. Lots of aspirants appear for the exam every year, but failure after failure makes them quit the game; only a few remain, and that’s where the breakthrough happens. Meet Neha Byadwal, who failed her grade 5 academics and also failed her UPSC attempt three times. On her fourth attempt, she scored AIR 569 and became an IAS officer at the age of 24
The movement she never wanted
As kids, we want a stable environment. An environment where we could make new friends, get to know the setting of the surroundings, and live happily. But this was not the case with Neha Byadwal. With her father’s job in the income tax department, she used to move a lot. Bihar, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Korba, Raipur- she studied everywhere, adjusting to new environments.
However, the language was not a problem since she studied in a Hindi-medium school. The biggest challenge came when she moved to an English-medium school in Raipur. People did not like her since she was not like them, but she overcame it in one year, and she spoke English fluently with C2 proficiency.
Elite in college
When she moved to college, she became the definition of excellence. Debates, Sports, academics- she won all. Watching this progress, her parents told her to pursue the civil services exam, and she agreed.
She could not have made it without her family’s support
Look, we have seen a lot of aspirants settling for mediocrity. The sole reason is that their parents did not support them when they needed them the most. We don’t blame them; they were conditioned that way. Year after year, when you see your children fail in life and you see other children flourishing, the mind doesn’t think straight. But parents who think failure is a way to improve are winning in the rain. It’s not about who becomes successful in life; it’s about who has lived a complete life, and Neha is a living example.
The brother’s support
In many of her interviews, she praises her brother. It’s his brother who was her emotional support when her parents were beginning to lose hope. He made her practice answering questions within a time limit, she took her phone away and did not give her till he cleared their exams.
Where is Neha now?
Neha is now serving as chief development officer in Uttar Pradesh. She says that UPSC clearance doesn’t depend on how much you study, but how productive you are when you are studying. Basically, she tells all the future aspirants not to act but to be productive. Learn, adapt, change, and that’s how you can win UPSC. Her story has been foundational for those students who cannot clear the UPSC in their first attempt. Love live, Neha. We are so proud of you.
