(AIR 51 • First Attempt • No Coaching • Economics Optional)
In a competitive exam where lakhs of aspirants participate and barely a few hundred succeed, the story of IAS Ananya Singh stands out like a beacon of hope. At just 22 years of age, she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt and secured AIR 51. She did this without any coaching, relying entirely on self-study, thoughtful planning, and powerful consistency.
Her success is not just a rank; it is a roadmap for aspirants who believe in discipline more than hype, quality more than quantity, and strategy more than struggle.
Early Life, Qualification & Why She Chose UPSC
Ananya Singh was born in 1997 in Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. She comes from a strong academic and judicial background — her father served as a district judge, her mother is a lecturer, and her brother joined the judicial services. Surrounded by public service and education, the seed of civil services was planted early.
She studied at St. Mary’s Convent School, where she performed brilliantly:
- 10th ICSE — 96% (District Topper)
- 12th ISC — 98.25% (District Topper Again)
She later completed Economics (Hons) from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University, one of India’s most prestigious colleges. During college, she faced the first real crossroad — corporate job offers or UPSC. She chose UPSC with clarity:
“This was the path I always wanted, so I decided I won’t wait for multiple years. I will give my best from day one and attempt immediately after graduation.”
Why She Succeeded at 22 (When Most Still Wait to Start)
Her approach was different from the beginning:
| Problem Most Aspirants Face | What She Did Instead |
|---|---|
| Study 12–14 hours mindlessly | 6–8 focused hours with purpose |
| Collect too many books & notes | Limited resources + multiple revisions |
| Coaching dependency | Complete self-study |
| Separate preparation for Prelims & Mains | Integrated strategy from day one |
| Start answer writing later | Started immediately |
This was not accidental — it was planned, curated, and tested daily.
Daily Study Routine (Her Preparation Clock)
This was her routine during peak preparation — a model that any aspirant can copy:
Morning (5:00 – 9:00 AM)
- Newspaper reading (The Hindu / Indian Express)
- Current affairs notebook entry
- Editorial note-making (one para summary each)
- Breakfast + mental warm-up
College Hours (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
- Attended classes
- Library hour used for NCERT reading
- Short revision during breaks
- Planning next tasks for evening
Evening (4:00 – 7:00 PM)
- Static subjects: Polity / Economy / Geography / History
- NCERT + one standard book
- Flowcharts, diagrams, concept registers
Night (8:00 – 11:00 PM)
- Answer writing practice
- Previous year questions (topic-wise)
- Daily revision of study notebook
- 10-minute reflection: “What did I learn today?”
Total Study Time: 6–8 hours
Consistency > Duration
This routine evolved, but the rhythm of morning current affairs + evening subjects + night answer writing remained constant even after college ended.
Study Plan Blueprint (Her 3-Stage Framework)
She treated UPSC as a three-layer structure:
Layer 1: Foundation (2–3 months)
- NCERTs from Class 6–12 for all subjects
- One register per subject for core concepts
- Understanding exam pattern, syllabus keywords, PYQs
Layer 2: Expansion (next 6 months)
- Add standard books slowly, not in bulk
- Subject rotation weekly (not daily switching)
- Current affairs integrated with static topics
Example:
- Preparing Polity chapter on Parliament → Linked it with current events on Parliamentary disruptions
- Studying Economics → Linked it with RBI policies from newspapers
Layer 3: Execution (Last 4–6 months)
- Full-length mocks
- Subject-specific tests
- Daily answer writing
- Mains style note-making
Topic-Wise Strategy (How She Prepared Each Stage)
PRELIMS
- NCERT + standard books
- PYQ analysis before book reading
- MCQs after every chapter
- 85–90 questions target for actual exam
Approach:
- Secure 40–45 confirmed questions
- Then take logical risks for the rest using elimination
MAINS
- Answer structure: Intro – Body – Conclusion
- Quotes, committees, and reports for value addition
- Real examples from current affairs
- Handwritten notes for better retention
She emphasized presentation:
- Underline key points
- Sub-headings
- Diagram/chart where possible
- One real case study to conclude
CSAT
- Weekly practice from previous papers
- Gap analysis → targeted improvement
- Increased practice 2 months before exam
Answer Writing – The X-Factor
She repeatedly said writing was the core of her success.
Why?
Because writing helped her:
- Remember better
- Control time
- Build structure
- Create exam temperament
Her constant writing practice meant she didn’t panic during mains — she treated it like a continuation of her routine.
Optional Subject — Economics
Since she had a degree in Economics, it became her natural optional. But she didn’t depend only on college knowledge — she re-structured it for UPSC:
- Re-learned concepts with UPSC demand
- Balanced diagrams with policy examples
- Wrote optional answers with current value addition
- Weekly tests to track progress
Economics later became the pillar of her final rank.
Result & Posting
2019 — AIR 51
2020 — Joined IAS training (LBSNAA)
2021–2023 — Training & Field roles in West Bengal
2024 onwards — Deputy Development Commissioner, Aurangabad (Bihar)
Also holds additional charge of CEO, Zilla Parishad in the district.
Personal Side
In 2024, she married IAS officer Kumar Anurag (AIR 48) in a simple registered marriage. Their simplicity and grounded behaviour earned admiration from aspirants nationwide. She is known to be a calm administrator, active listener, and someone who believes in ethical governance, modest living, and service-before-self.
Why Her Story Matters
Because she represents:
- Smart work > Hard work
- Strategy > Syllabus fear
- Belief > Pressure
- Discipline > Automatic success
She has become proof that there is no “perfect age”, “perfect background” or “perfect coaching”,
only perfect effort.
1. How She Started Without Coaching
The biggest question aspirants ask is — how did she start without coaching?
Her starting point was very simple:
Step 1 — Understand the exam before studying
- Printed syllabus & PYQs
- Highlighted repeat topics
- Understood patterns, not blindly reading
Step 2 — Remove fear
Instead of thinking “What if I fail?”, she created a mindset:
“This is not my attempt. This is my selection year.”
Step 3 — Create a rule
- Less material, more revision
- Self evaluation > external validation
- Preparation rhythm > stress cycles
This mindset allowed her to stay calm, confident, and in control.
2. Weekly Study Plan (Exact Breakdown)
This is the routine model she followed in final preparation:
| Day | Main Subject | Test / Writing Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Polity | Short answers + analysis |
| Tuesday | Economy | MCQs + PYQ notes |
| Wednesday | Geography | Maps + diagram practice |
| Thursday | History (Modern India) | Write 5 mains answers |
| Friday | Environment | MCQs + revision |
| Saturday | Full-length test (alternating: Prelims/Mains) | Feedback + improvement |
| Sunday | Revision + OFF for brain reset | Zero guilt day |
Weekly Targets
- 1 subject improved
- 1 test completed
- 20–25 answers written
- Minimum 2 revision cycles
If any week failed → carry forward without panic.
3. Booklist Blueprint (Subject-Wise)
This is the non-confusing booklist she followed.
Polity
- NCERT + Laxmikanth (core)
- Self-made flowcharts for Parliament, President, SC/HC
History
- NCERT + Bipin Chandra
- Modern India timeline charts
Geography
- School NCERT + Atlas mapping
- World + India physical maps weekly
Economy
- NCERT + class notes from SRCC base
- RBI, Budget, Survey notes (self-written)
Environment
- NCERT + selective reading
- Protected areas + terminology index
Current Affairs
- Daily newspaper notebook
- Monthly consolidation in 20 pages
Her Rule
If a book is not revised at least 4 times, it doesn’t count as preparation.
4. Answer Writing Strategy That Made Her Stand Out
She changed her writing style to match UPSC expectations, not college style.
Skeleton Format
Introduction: Context or definition
Body: 3–4 subheadings + diagrams
Conclusion: Future roadmap or governance angle
Example Opening Lines
- Define: “Urban flooding refers to the overflow…”
- Contextual: “Recent disruptions in Parliament highlight the need…”
- Data Hook: “According to NSSO…”
- Quote: Only if genuinely remembered, never forced.
Her Writing Pillars
✔ Clarity
✔ Structure
✔ Presentation
✔ Balance
✔ India-first approach
5. Essay Strategy (Two Styles She Used)
Beyond the Topic (Philosophical Essays)
- Storytelling + human values
- Real stories from newspapers
- IAS training mindset reflection
Within the Topic (Governance Essays)
- Problem → Cause → Reform path
- Constitution linkage
- Ethics + governance examples
6. Prelims Strategy — The Real Filter
MCQs were the main weapon.
- 60% accuracy section
- 25% elimination section
- 15% educated risk
💡 She aimed for 85–90 questions, not 60–70.
Elimination Technique
- Remove extreme words
- Remove absolute statements
- Link back to common sense knowledge
- Mark “double risk” questions last
7. Interview Preparation
Interview wasn’t about showing knowledge; it was about showing character.
Her Focus Areas
- Soft speaking tone
- Clean opinions
- No extreme statements
- Confidence without aggression
Questions She Practiced
- Why IAS?
- Why Economics?
- Why Bihar cadre?
- Strengths & weaknesses
- Governance challenges in home state
Her Formula
“I don’t know the answer at the moment, but I would love to learn and get back to you.”
8. The Most Important Line in Her Journey
“Every single day is selection day — not exam day.”
This is why she cleared in first attempt — she acted like a selected officer before results.
9. UPSC Strategy You Can Copy (Summary)
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Start | Syllabus + NCERT |
| Mid | Standard books + PYQs |
| Build | Daily answer writing |
| Final | Tests + Revision |
| Result | Interview confidence |
