A Moment of Success Erases Years of Struggle’: After Multiple Failures, Gonda’s Vaishnavi Paul Secures AIR-62 in UPSC

Becoming an IAS or IPS officer through the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a dream cherished by millions. But only those who combine hard work, patience, and perseverance make it to the final list. One such inspiring story is that of Vaishnavi Paul, who cleared UPSC in her fourth attempt, securing All India Rank 62. Her journey is a testament to grit, discipline, and unshakeable belief.

The Line That Changed Her Life

Sometimes a single sentence can change the direction of a person’s life. For Vaishnavi, the turning point was a line she read as a child:
“A moment of success erases a lifetime of struggle.”

She remembered the words, but understood their true meaning only when she walked the difficult path toward her UPSC dream.
After five years of determination and four consecutive attempts, she now stands as a proud UPSC topper.

A Promise Made in Childhood

In an interview, Vaishnavi shared that she had promised herself in childhood that she would become an IAS officer. Her mother, a schoolteacher, was her first inspiration.
Growing up, Vaishnavi placed academics above everything else. Her habit of regularly reading newspapers sharpened her awareness and shaped her thinking.

Strong Academic Journey

• Schooling: Fatima School, Gonda
• Graduation: Economics, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University
• Post-Graduation: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

After completing her master’s degree, she shifted her full focus to UPSC preparation.

Failures That Built Her Strength

Vaishnavi’s journey was anything but easy:

• 1st Attempt: Not qualified
• 2nd Attempt: Failed again
• 3rd Attempt: Another setback

By the third failure, she felt disheartened but refused to quit.
She regrouped, re-strategized, and prepared again with renewed focus.
Finally, in 2022, she secured AIR-62, turning her long-held dream into reality.

A Tricky Interview Question

During her UPSC interview, she was asked a challenging scenario-based question:
“If you become the new District Magistrate and your predecessor had conflicts with the SP, what would you do?”

Her confident answer impressed the panel:
She said she would begin with a positive mindset, build mutual understanding, and work toward strong coordination for effective administration.

A Calendar Quote That Stayed With Her

In an emotional Instagram post, Vaishnavi shared a memory from when she was 11 years old.
She recalled reading a line printed on a calendar in her father’s shop:
“A moment of success erases a lifetime of struggle.”

Back then, she barely understood its depth.
But during the tough five-year journey of four UPSC attempts, this line became her constant source of motivation.

She wrote that when she finally received her IAS appointment mail, her mind instantly went back to that childhood moment — the very words that kept her going through tears, failures, and endless hard work.

Vaishnavi Paul’s story is a reminder that failures are not the end, but stepping stones to success. Her achievement inspires thousands of UPSC aspirants across the country to continue their efforts with patience, resilience, and belief.