In a world where most 20-somethings can’t imagine life without a smartphone, Neha Byadwal made a radical choice: she gave hers up for nearly three years.
Hailing from a humble family in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Neha had always been the studious one—quiet, focused, and determined. But cracking the UPSC Civil Services Exam? That was a dream few dared to chase, let alone achieve at just 24. And yet, Neha did just that—becoming India’s youngest female IAS officer in 2021.
Her journey wasn’t all smooth. In fact, she failed three times. Each failure could’ve shattered her spirit. But Neha isn’t built like that. Instead of giving up, she went deeper—into her books, into her routine, and into herself.
She cut out every possible distraction: no Instagram, no Netflix, no WhatsApp forwards—nothing. “I didn’t even own a smartphone during my preparation,” she once shared. “If I needed to make a call, I used my mom’s phone.” That level of discipline in today’s hyper-connected age? Unheard of.
Her days were painfully simple: wake up, study, eat, repeat. No parties. No outings. Just pure, focused effort. And finally, in her fourth attempt, she cracked it—with an All India Rank of 569.
But Neha’s charm goes beyond just books and ranks. She’s known for her graceful style—often seen in simple cotton suits or elegant sarees, always smiling, always grounded. In a world chasing filters and validation, Neha chose authenticity.
Her story isn’t just about an exam—it’s about resilience. It’s about choosing long-term goals over short-term pleasures. And most importantly, it’s about believing in yourself even when success seems distant.
To every student battling self-doubt, to every girl from a small town with big dreams—Neha Byadwal is living proof that you don’t need shortcuts or fancy tools. You just need courage, consistency, and the conviction to keep going.
