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UPSC Success Story: Balancing her modelling career while preparing for the IAS exams was no easy feat for former Miss India 2016 finalist Aishwarya Sheoran.
Aishwarya Sheoron secured 93rd rank in the Civil Service Exam 2019.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is widely regarded as one of the most challenging recruitment tests in the nation. It demands the highest levels of dedication, perseverance, and hard work from candidates aspiring to become civil servants.
Not everyone can succeed in the UPSC CSE; only the brightest and most determined individuals manage to clear this rigorous exam. One such inspiring example is Aishwarya Sheoran, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and former Miss India contestant, who left behind a promising modelling career to pursue her dream of serving in the civil services.
A Modelling Star With A Dream Of Civil Service
Aishwarya Sheoran, the daughter of Colonel Ajay Kumar, Commanding Officer of the 9th Telangana NCC Battalion, was born and raised in Rajasthan. From an early age, she demonstrated academic excellence, achieving an impressive 97.5 per cent in her Class 12 board exams at Delhi’s Sanskriti School.
Aishwarya pursued her Bachelor’s degree at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. It was during her time there that she developed a passion for modelling. She began her modelling career by participating in beauty pageants and won the title of Miss Clean and Clear Fresh Face in 2014.
Her modelling career peaked in 2015 when she became a finalist in the Miss India 2016 pageant. Although Roshmitha Harimurthy won the title and represented India at the Miss Universe pageant in Manila, Aishwarya’s achievement as a finalist marked a significant milestone in her modelling journey.
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Choosing Civil Service Over Modelling
Despite her success in modelling, Aishwarya Sheoran’s father’s military background and her sense of duty led her to pursue a different path. She decided to leave the glamour of modelling behind to serve the nation as a civil servant.
In 2018, Aishwarya was accepted into the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore but chose not to enrol. Instead, she dedicated nearly a year to rigorous preparation for the UPSC CSE. Remarkably, she opted for self-study over coaching classes and, after ten months of dedicated effort, cleared the exam on her first attempt with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 93.
After her success in the UPSC CSE, Aishwarya Sheoran made another significant decision: she chose to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) rather than the IAS or IPS cadres. Today, she serves as a senior officer in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), contributing to shaping the country’s foreign policy and international relations.
Aishwarya Sheoran’s journey from modelling to the civil services is a testament to her determination, hard work, and commitment to serving the nation.
