Who is Poorva Choudhary, the IPS Officer Who Cracked UPSC in Her Third Attempt?
The world watches the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination results every year with intense interest. It is one of the toughest exams in India and among the most competitive anywhere in the world. In 2024, one name that quickly caught the public’s attention was Poorva Choudhary — a young woman who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her third attempt and secured All India Rank (AIR) 533. Her journey has become inspiring for many aspiring civil servants and a topic of national conversation.
In this article, we explore who Poorva Choudhary is, how she achieved this milestone, and why her success story has sparked both admiration and debate.
Early Life and Background of Poorva Choudhary
Poorva Choudhary hails from Rajasthan’s Bolawali village in Hanumangarh district. She grew up in a family with academic and administrative influences — her father is an officer in the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS). This environment likely played a role in shaping her outlook and ambition from a young age.
Education and Upbringing
Poorva completed her schooling at St. Xavier’s School, a reputed institution that is known for encouraging academic excellence. Following this, she pursued her bachelor’s degree at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, affiliated with Delhi University — one of India’s top colleges, especially for arts and social sciences.
Her academic grounding in a strong educational atmosphere provided her with a solid foundation to take on one of India’s most challenging examinations.
Cracking UPSC on the Third Attempt
What UPSC Is and Why It’s Hard
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is an annual three-stage process involving the Preliminary exam, the Main exam, and a Personality Test (Interview). It selects candidates for top administrative services such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Each year more than a million aspirants compete, but less than 1,500 usually succeed.
Poorva’s UPSC Journey
Poorva Choudhary’s success came after three attempts. While many aspirants crack UPSC on their very first or second try, a significant number require multiple attempts due to the exam’s high standards and broad syllabus. Her persistence demonstrates remarkable resilience — she didn’t give up despite earlier setbacks, and refined her strategy until she achieved her goal.
Achieving AIR 533 is an impressive feat in itself, but doing so after two unsuccessful tries adds a special human element to her story — a testament to persistence, focus, and growth as a learner.
Life After UPSC and Current Status
After clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, Poorva opted for the Indian Police Service (IPS) — a service dedicated to maintaining law and order, public safety, and internal security. She is currently in the early stages of her posting and initial training as an IPS officer.
Although detailed information about her exact posting or cadre allocation is not publicly detailed yet, she is now officially part of India’s elite police cadre and preparing to serve across various administrative and policing roles.
Why Poorva Choudhary’s Story Went Viral
The Viral Celebration Video
Shortly after the UPSC results were declared, Poorva’s success celebration went viral on Instagram. Her sister, Navya Saharan, shared a celebratory video clip that included pictures of Poorva along with the caption “Cleared UPSC… while serving this face card,” emphasizing both her achievement and personality. The video soon raked up more than 2 million views.
This kind of viral attention is relatively rare for UPSC qualifiers and highlights how social media can amplify stories that resonate with youth — especially when they combine accomplishment, personality, and relatability.
Social Media Popularity
Poorva Choudhary’s online presence grew rapidly after her success, with thousands of followers engaging with her content. Many aspirants and young Indians saw her as a relatable figure — someone who blended intelligence, determination, and modern identity.
Controversies and Public Discussion
While most public reaction to Poorva’s UPSC success was positive, her story also sparked controversy online.
OBC-NCL Quota Debate
Some netizens criticized her because her UPSC result listed her under the OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) category. Critics argued that her family’s background — particularly her father’s status as a RAS officer — made her ineligible or less deserving of reservation benefits. This view spread rapidly on social media.
However, this backlash was based on misunderstanding of the reservation rules. As explained by her father and verified in media interviews, her father was promoted to Group A officer status after the age of 40 — which, according to reservation rules, still keeps his daughter eligible for OBC-NCL benefits if the family income criteria are also met. No official body has found her certificate or her category status invalid.
This incident highlights how social media narratives can sometimes overshadow facts, creating debates that go beyond an individual’s achievement.
What Aspirants Can Learn From Poorva Choudhary
Poorva Choudhary’s journey offers several valuable lessons for future UPSC aspirants:
1. Persistence Pays Off
Cracking UPSC on the third attempt shows that success often comes to those who persist, adapt, and learn from setbacks.
2. Balanced Preparation Matters
UPSC preparation isn’t just about hard work — it requires smart planning, strategic revision, and constant evaluation of strengths and weaknesses.
3. Stay Focused on Inner Growth
Unlike exam rank or social media attention, the real takeaway is the personal growth and resilience developed during the UPSC journey.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Rank
Poorva Choudhary is not just a UPSC officer with AIR 533; she represents determination, grit, and the power of perseverance. From her educational roots to her viral success story, she has inspired many young Indians to persist and remain steadfast on the path to fulfilling their aspirations — even when the journey gets tough.
Her achievement is proof that preparation, patience, and belief in oneself can turn a dream into reality — and that sometimes, the third attempt can be the most meaningful one.
FAQs About Poorva Choudhary
Q1: What rank did Poorva Choudhary secure in UPSC?
She secured All India Rank (AIR) 533 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.
Q2: Was Poorva’s UPSC success her first attempt?
No, she cleared the exam on her third attempt, demonstrating resilience and persistence.
Q3: Did Poorva face any controversies?
Yes, her eligibility for the OBC-NCL quota sparked debate online, but there’s no official finding of wrongdoing.
Q4: Where did Poorva study before UPSC?
She studied at St. Xavier’s School and then pursued her bachelor’s degree from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University.
Q5: What service did Poorva choose after clearing UPSC?
She chose the Indian Police Service (IPS) and is now in the process of her early training and field posting.
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