She Gave Up a Well-Settled Career for UPSC, Faced Two Failures—and Answered Every Question by Becoming an IAS Officer

New Delhi: Leaving behind a comfortable, well-paying job is never an easy decision—especially when life seems “set”. Yet, Vishakha Yadav’s journey from a software engineer to an IAS officer proves that courage, perseverance, and self-belief can redefine destiny.

An engineering graduate from Delhi Technological University (DTU), Vishakha was working as a software developer at Cisco after completing her BTech in 2014. She spent nearly two years in Bengaluru, earning a handsome salary and enjoying a stable professional life. But somewhere deep within, she carried a dream that went beyond corporate success—the dream of serving the nation as a civil servant.

Choosing Purpose Over Comfort

Despite financial security and career growth, Vishakha decided to quit her tech job and return to Delhi to prepare full-time for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It was a bold move, one that invited skepticism and questions from many around her. The journey ahead was far from easy.

She appeared for the UPSC exam once—and failed. She tried again—and failed a second time. As doubts grew louder about her decision to leave a stable career, Vishakha chose not to give in. Instead, she turned every question and criticism into fuel for her determination.

Success After Setbacks

In her third attempt, Vishakha Yadav rewrote her story. In the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019, she secured an All India Rank (AIR) 6, emerging as one of the top achievers in the country. Her success silenced all doubts and stood as a powerful answer to those who questioned her choices.

Strong Family Support

Hailing from Dwarka, Delhi, Vishakha comes from a humble background. Her father, Rajkumar Yadav, serves as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Delhi Police, while her mother is a homemaker. Vishakha has often credited her mother as her strongest pillar of support, saying that her success would not have been possible without her constant encouragement.

An Inspiring Officer

After joining the Indian Administrative Service, Vishakha served as Deputy Commissioner in Arunachal Pradesh until June 2025. She has recently been transferred to Delhi, where she continues her administrative responsibilities.

A Story That Inspires Millions

IAS Vishakha Yadav’s journey is a powerful reminder that failure is not the end, but often the beginning of success. Her life story inspires countless young aspirants who dare to dream big, start anew, and believe in themselves—even when the world doubts them.