Determined to Become IAS, Roma Srivastava Used YouTube as Her ‘Companion’ and Cracked UPSC Three Times in Four Years

Roma Srivastava’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and unwavering focus. From self-study to leveraging online resources, Roma cracked the UPSC examination three times in four years to achieve her dream of becoming an IAS officer. In 2019, after four years of hard work, she secured Rank 70 in the UPSC exam and earned her IAS posting.

Academic Background: NIT and IIM
Originally from Jharkhand, Roma completed her 12th standard and then pursued B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from NIT Raipur. She later cleared the CAT exam and joined IIM Indore, where she earned an MBA in Marketing.

From Corporate Job to Civil Services
After her MBA, Roma worked as an Assistant Manager at Coal India. Despite her corporate role, she was determined to pursue a career in civil services. Without joining any coaching classes, she began her UPSC preparation through self-study.

YouTube as a Learning Partner
For topics she found difficult, Roma relied on YouTube video lectures to strengthen her concepts. She turned the platform into her personal mentor and learning companion, proving that smart resource use can complement hard work.

Three Attempts, One Dream

• 2016: First attempt at UPSC, did not succeed.
• 2017: Second attempt, selected for Indian Postal and Telecom Services (IP&TS).
• 2018: Third attempt, became IPS officer.
• 2019: Determined to achieve her IAS dream, Roma gave the exam again and secured Rank 70, fulfilling her long-cherished goal.

Roma Srivastava’s journey is a shining example of how dedication, smart use of resources, and relentless perseverance can overcome even the toughest challenges. Today, she serves as an inspiration for students aspiring to clear UPSC and achieve their dreams, proving that no hurdle is too big for those with determination.