Shruti Sharma UPSC AIR 1 2021, Attempt, Age, Marksheet, Qualification

Shruti Sharma, originally from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, achieved All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Exam 2021 in her second attempt. From an early age, she had a clear vision of working for the nation, which made her passion for the civil services come true.

An alumna of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, Shruti graduated in History, later pursuing her postgraduate studies at the Delhi School of Economics. She credits her success to a combination of consistent hard work, disciplined preparation. For the UPSC Mains 2021, she chose History as an Optional Subject, a choice that matched her academic background and helped her develop deeper insights into the subject. 

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Shruti Sharma UPSC AIR 1 2021

All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021 was secured by Shruti Sharma, a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Alongside her, Ankita Agarwal and Gamini Singla achieved the second and third ranks, respectively, in the UPSC Toppers List 2021. With a strong belief in diversity and inclusivity, Shruti is eager to learn from different languages, cultures, and perspectives. Outside academics, Shruti enjoys exploring new cultures, reading books, and watching movies, which reflect her curiosity and openness to new experiences.

Shruti Sharma Education Qualification

Shruti Sharma started her schooling at Cambridge Primary School, Delhi, and later moved to Sardar Patel Vidyalaya. She went on to graduate from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, with a degree in History (Honors) and pursued her Master’s at the Delhi School of Economics.

Coming from a family of engineers and doctors, Shruti stood out as the only one to choose a career in Arts and Humanities. Her UPSC preparation began at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) after her first attempt in 2019, where she missed the Mains cut-off by just one mark due to an issue with her chosen medium of instruction.

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Shruti Sharma Optional Subject

Shruti Sharma, who secured All India Rank 1 in UPSC 2021, opted for History as an Optional Subject. Her decision was shaped by both personal interest and the subject’s relevance in the exam. Shruti had a deep, lifelong interest in History, making it a natural fit. She prepared her own notes, focused heavily on answer writing practice, and revised consistently to strengthen her command over the subject. The optional subject plays a decisive role in the Mains exam, and her strong grip on History contributed significantly to her top rank.

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Shruti Sharma Marksheet

The UPSC Civil Services Main Examination carries a total of 1750 marks. It consists of nine papers, but only seven papers are considered for the final merit ranking. Each of these seven papers is worth 250 marks. The remaining two papers (qualifying language papers) are mandatory, but their marks are not added to the merit list. Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks set by UPSC in these papers to move forward in the process.

After the written exam, candidates appear for the Personality Test (Interview), which carries 275 marks. Together, the written exam and the interview add up to 2025 marks, which determine the final rank.

Shruti Sharma Challenges

Shruti’s first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services Examination was far from smooth. A technical issue forced her to write the Mains in Hindi instead of English, which ultimately cost her the interview call by just one mark. While it was a tough setback, it became a turning point in her preparation.

Instead of being discouraged, Shruti treated the experience as a learning curve. She reworked on her strategy, worked on her weaknesses, and sought guidance from mentors. This resilience and adaptability played a key role in her second attempt, where she not only cleared the exam but also went on to secure the All India Rank 1 in UPSC Exam 2021.