Shruti Sharma, IAS, is a name synonymous with determination, intellect, and resilience. As the All India Rank (AIR) 1 holder in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2021, she has inspired countless aspirants across India. Hailing from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, Shruti’s journey to becoming an IAS officer is a testament to her hard work, strategic preparation, and unwavering focus.
Early Life and Family Background
Shruti Sharma was born in 1996 in Delhi, though her family roots trace back to the village of Basta in the Chandpur Tehsil of Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh. As of 2025, she is 29 years old, a young achiever whose accomplishments belie her age. Coming from a well-educated and affluent family, Shruti grew up in an environment that valued knowledge and service. Her father, Sunil Dutt Sharma, is an architect who runs a construction consultancy firm in Delhi and oversees Bal Gyan Niketan School in their hometown. Her mother, Rachna Sharma, a former teacher, hails from Bulandshahr and has been a pillar of support in Shruti’s journey.
Shruti’s family is steeped in a legacy of professionals—her great-grandfather, Dayaswaroop Sharma, and grandfather, Devendra Dutt Sharma, were renowned doctors in their community. Her paternal uncle, Yagya Dutt, and cousin sister also pursued careers in medicine, while her younger brother represents Uttar Pradesh in U-25 cricket. Unlike her family’s predominant inclination toward science and engineering, Shruti carved her own path by choosing arts and history, making her the only member of her family to do so. This unique choice would later play a pivotal role in her UPSC success.
Shruti belongs to a Hindu Brahmin family, a detail often highlighted in biographies due to its cultural significance in India. Despite her privileged background, she was driven by a desire to give back to society, a motivation that fueled her pursuit of a career in civil services.
Education: A Foundation for Success
Shruti Sharma’s academic journey laid the groundwork for her remarkable achievement in the UPSC CSE. She began her schooling at Cambridge Primary School in Delhi, where she studied from kindergarten to fifth grade. She later moved to Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi, a prestigious institution where she excelled academically and took on leadership roles. During her school years, Shruti served as the secretary of cultural affairs on the student executive, organizing events and honing her organizational skills.
Her passion for history led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi—one of India’s most esteemed institutions. At St. Stephen’s, she immersed herself in debates, participating in parliamentary, conventional, and turn-quote styles, sharpening her analytical and communication abilities. After graduating, Shruti enrolled in a Master’s program in Modern History at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). However, she soon shifted her focus to UPSC preparation, dropping out of JNU to dedicate herself fully to her goal.
Her time at the Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) proved transformative. Introduced to the academy through her father, Shruti cracked its entrance test in 2019 and found an ideal environment for group study, peer support, and mentorship—key factors in her eventual success.
UPSC Journey: From Setback to Triumph
Shruti Sharma’s path to securing AIR 1 in the UPSC CSE 2021 was not without challenges. Her first attempt in 2020 was marred by a technical glitch that forced her to take the Mains examination in Hindi instead of English, her preferred medium. Despite her efforts, she missed the interview call by just one mark—a setback that could have discouraged many. However, Shruti viewed this as a learning opportunity, analyzing her mistakes and refining her approach for her second attempt.
In 2021, her perseverance paid off. Scoring an impressive 1105 out of 2025 marks, Shruti topped the UPSC CSE, with 932 marks in the Mains and 173 in the personality test. Her optional subject, History, aligned perfectly with her academic background, earning her 150 marks in Paper I and 156 in Paper II. In the General Studies papers, she scored 119 (GS I), 128 (GS II), 108 (GS III), and 139 (GS IV), while her essay paper fetched 132 marks. This balanced performance across all sections showcased her depth of knowledge and preparation.
Shruti’s success was no overnight feat. She began preparing four years prior, starting with NCERT textbooks to build a strong foundation. Recognizing the importance of current affairs, she relied heavily on daily newspaper readings to stay updated on national and international events. She complemented this with concise notes, online test series from ForumIAS and Vajiram, and rigorous answer-writing practice—particularly for the Mains, where her History optional contributed 500 marks to her final tally.
Her strategy emphasized quality over quantity. Rather than fixating on hours spent studying, Shruti focused on understanding concepts deeply and revising consistently. She limited her resources—using standard books like Spectrum for Modern History, R.S. Sharma’s NCERT for Ancient and Medieval History, and class notes for Economy—ensuring she mastered them thoroughly. Mock interviews and essay practice further refined her skills, preparing her for the personality test where her clarity and confidence shone through.
Personal Traits and Interests
Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Shruti Sharma is a multifaceted individual with diverse interests. An avid animal lover, she finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her love for world cinema—spanning Iranian films to Hong Kong productions—reflects her curiosity about different cultures. She also enjoys poetry, citing Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena and Dushyant Kumar as her favorite poets, and has even tried learning Urdu, showcasing her linguistic curiosity.
Shruti’s grounded nature and gratitude stand out. After topping the UPSC, she credited her parents, friends, and mentors at Jamia RCA for their unwavering support. In interviews, she expressed surprise at securing AIR 1, despite her confidence in qualifying, underscoring her humility.
Current Posting and Aspirations
As of March 1, 2025, Shruti Sharma is an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, her home state—a rare and coveted allocation. She is currently undergoing training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, where she is equipping herself with the skills needed to serve effectively. Once her training concludes, she aims to leverage her position to drive grassroots-level change, particularly in education, healthcare, and rural development—areas close to her heart given her roots in Bijnor.
Shruti’s salary as an IAS trainee is approximately ₹56,000 per month, supplemented by allowances, though her true reward lies in the opportunity to impact lives. Her vision aligns with her initial motivation for joining the civil services: to give back to society and embrace the diversity and learning opportunities the role offers.
Legacy and Inspiration
Shruti Sharma’s story is a beacon for UPSC aspirants, especially women, who dominated the top three ranks in 2021 (Ankita Agarwal and Gamini Singla secured AIR 2 and 3, respectively). Her journey—from a history enthusiast to the top-ranking IAS officer—illustrates the power of resilience, strategic planning, and self-belief. Her advice to aspirants is simple yet profound: choose an optional subject you love, stay consistent, and maintain patience.
In a country where the UPSC exam is considered one of the toughest, Shruti’s triumph in her second attempt serves as a reminder that setbacks are stepping stones to success. Her connection to her village, where she inspires children with career advice, reflects her commitment to uplifting others—a trait that will undoubtedly define her tenure as an IAS officer.
Conclusion
Shruti Sharma, IAS, embodies the qualities of a true civil servant: dedication, intellect, and a desire to serve. From her early education in Delhi to her historic UPSC achievement, her biography is a compelling narrative of hard work and purpose. As she steps into her role in Uttar Pradesh, the nation watches with anticipation, confident that this young officer will leave an indelible mark on society. For UPSC aspirants and admirers alike, Shruti Sharma’s life is a masterclass in turning dreams into reality.
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