Meet IAS Surabhi: Left TCS; Couldn't Speak English; Cleared UPSC, IES, ISRO, BARC

6 mins read

Some success stories of UPSC CSE always come as a sweet surprise to many aspirants in the sense they achieve success despite all the odds that come their way. The success story we are about to engage you with is going to thoroughly mesmerize you.

It is none other than the story of IAS Surabhi Gautam, a girl who hails from the humble village of Amdara in Satna district, Madhya Pradesh. 

IAS Surabhi Gautam: A Brief Background About Her Family

IAS Surabhi Gautam comes from the small, humble village of Amdara in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Her father is a lawyer in the Maihar court of MP, while her mother, Dr. Sushila Gautam, works as a teacher in high school. Surabhi Gautam completed her early education at the government school located in her village, which was a Hindi medium school.

Things were not always easy for Surabhi Gautam as she also battled Rheumatic Fever in class 12, which made her travel to Jabalpur every 15 days with her parents to see a doctor 150 kilometres away from the village. 

Academic Excellence As A Student 

While she was mocked and taunted by her friends for her weakness in not being able to speak English as fluently as others, it did not for once deter IAS Officer Surabhi Gautam from going after the passion for being an IAS officer. As proof that she was truly excellent in her studies, she scored a perfect 100 in Maths and Science, her 10th and 12th, eventually finding her name on the state's top merit list.

After completing her class 12, Surabhi Gautam also passed the State Engineering Entrance Examination with good marks. She enrolled in Electronics and Communication Engineering from an engineering college in Bhopal. 

Reminiscing Her Initial School Days 

In one of her emphatic talks at the TEDx, IAS Surabhi Gautam narrated how, since her early school days, her teacher recognized that she was unlike her fellow students. In one of her board examinations, she secured a perfect 100\100 mark in mathematics.

Her teacher complimented her on this brilliant achievement, saying that she had great things in store for the future. This particular compliment became her constant motivation to excel in her studies.

Beginning her initial studies in a small village government school, she went on to prove her academic excellence throughout her college studies as well. Her excellent performance since her high school years proved that her name appeared in the state 10th and 12th examinations in the state merit lists.

As a matter of fact, she passed every competitive examination that she appeared in. 

A Hurdle That Became A Blessing In Disguise  

Bright as she was since her early days, she revealed that there was a time when she felt let down because she couldn't speak English as she came from a Hindi medium background. She was often taunted by her classmates and friends for not being able to speak proper English. While this was the kind of negativity that at times depressed her, she went on to pass multiple competitive examinations, proving that speaking perfect English was not a guarantee of success.

She astonished her classmates and friends, who thought that she would not be able to succeed in any examination due to her poor English speaking skills.  

How IAS Surabhi Devised A Way To Improve Her English

IAS Surabhi Gautam, in order to improve her English, improvised an idea. She started conversing with herself in English on a daily basis till she confidently had command over the language sentences and words. She also learned the meanings of at least 10 words every day.

She did this by listening to the phrases and words she heard from her surroundings and then practising them, eventually improving her English to a great extent. 

IAS Surabhi's Other Prominent Achievements 

IAS Surabhi Gautam went on to top the first semester of her graduation and was awarded the prestigious College Chancellor's Award. Just fresh out of her graduation in engineering, she got a job in the prestigious Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which was truly a great start for a great career ahead. However, she had to quit this high-paying job at TCS midway to pursue her passion to be a civil servant.

In the meantime, she also appeared for several other prominent competitive exams. She was known for her diligence, smart approach, and competence. She eventually went to crack and was shortlisted for the following examinations: ISRO, BARC, GATE, MPPSC, SAIL, FCI, SSC, and SI Delhi Police. 

UPSC IES AIR 01 To IAS Officer With AIR 50

In 2013, Surabhi Gautam cracked the prestigious UPSC IES with AIR 01 All India. With all these achievements in her name, she was motivated and committed to her preparation for the UPSC CSE. In 2016, having prepared thoroughly, she sat for the UPSC CSE examination.

She eventually went to clear this prestigious examination with AIR 50 which was for long in the making.

With at last becoming an IAS officer, she brought laurels and happiness like never before to herself, her parents, and the entire village of Amdara. 

Extracted Gems For All Aspirants 

• Recognize your potential and keep working on it no matter the hurdles that may come your way.
• Some people will always find ways to taunt you, but what is important is your commitment to your potential to achieve.
• You have great potential if you listen to your inner voice that says, 'No one is better than you.'
• Before you taste the fruit of success, it is the law of nature that you will experience some hardships; keep going - quitting is never the answer. 
• Be another IAS Surabhi Gautam by proving your detractors wrong.

All the best Aspirants!

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