Early Life & Education
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Date of Birth & Origin: Born on 5 September 1990 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Artika Shukla grew up in an academically accomplished family—her father, Dr. Brijesh Shukla, is a physician, and her mother, Leena, a homemaker (IPSDetails.com, Edukemy, BYJU'S).
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Education: She completed her schooling at St. John’s School, Varanasi, where she consistently topped her class (IPSDetails.com, BYJU'S). Later, she earned her MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi University, and interned at Lok Nayak Hospital (IPSDetails.com, BYJU'S).
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Initially pursuing an MD (Paediatrics), Artika chose to leave the programme midway to prepare for the UPSC exam, inspired by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (Edukemy, BYJU'S).
UPSC Journey & Career Breakthrough
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UPSC CSE 2015: In her very first attempt, Artika achieved an extraordinary All India Rank 4 in 2015, opting for Medical Science as her optional subject (IPSDetails.com, Edukemy, BYJU'S, Times Now News).
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Her preparation story is remarkable—made in just 8 months, and without any coaching, reflecting her exceptional discipline and intellect (Edukemy).
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Marksheet Highlights:
Administrative Career & Postings
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Cadre & Batch: A 2016-batch IAS officer in the Rajasthan cadre, shifting from initial AGMUT postings to Rajasthan post-marriage (IPSDetails.com, Edukemy).
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Key Postings:
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Collector & District Magistrate at Khairthal-Tijara, Dudu, and currently Alwar (IPSDetails.com).
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Other roles include Joint Secretary, Energy Department; CEO, Zila Parishad-cum-ADPC, Alwar; Secretary, UIT, Alwar; Additional Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Jaipur; and SDO/SDM in Ajmer and Rishabhdev (IPSDetails.com).
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Awards & Recognition:
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State Merit Awards for work with specially-abled persons (Feb & Dec 2024).
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Certificate of Appreciation for her role in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra 2024 as District Collector of Dudu (IPSDetails.com).
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Personal Life & Social Background
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Family Ties: She comes from a family of high achievers. Her elder brother, Gaurav Shukla, is also an IAS officer (UPSC 2012), and her other sibling, Utkarsh Shukla, cleared UPSC to become an IRTS officer (Edukemy).
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Married Life: In 2017, she married fellow IAS officer Jasmeet Singh Sandhu (Rajasthan cadre, also 2015 batch and AIR 3) — together forming a respected IAS power couple (Edukemy, DNA India).
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Hobbies & Personality: Known for being down-to-earth, Artika enjoys travel, time with family and friends, and remains approachable and relatable (Edukemy).
Recent News & Controversies
Compassion in Action: Pension Case Resolution
In December 2024, as Collector of Alwar, she swiftly resolved a nearly six-month delay in pension processing for a retired widow-teacher, Saroj, on a Christmas holiday. Artika ensured that Saroj’s service record was processed within hours, earning public praise and exemplifying responsive governance (The BuckStopper).
Allegations of Misconduct During COVID-19 Duty
During her tenure as SDM in Ajmer, around April 2020, Artika faced accusations from a doctor (Dr. Jyotsana Ranga) of misbehavior and assault during a COVID-related meeting—accusations she firmly denied. The complaint instigated an investigation, and she was reassigned from her role as nodal officer for COVID-19 to managing labour shelters (The Times of India).
Beyond these, there are no significant controversies publicly reported in recent years.
Top Interesting Facts about Artika Shukla
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Doctor to IAS: She made a significant career switch from medicine to civil services.
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First-Attempt Success: Cleared UPSC with AIR 4 in her maiden attempt in just 8 months, without coaching.
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Family of Civil Servants: Both her siblings are also UPSC qualifiers—one an IAS, the other IRTS.
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Power Couple: Married to IAS Jasmeet Singh Sandhu (AIR 3, same batch), creating a celebrated civil services pairing.
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Rapid Impact: Known for proactive administration—resolved a long-standing pension delay in hours on a public holiday.
FAQs About Artika Shukla, IAS
1. Who is Artika Shukla?
She is a 2016-batch IAS officer from the Rajasthan cadre, originally a doctor from Varanasi who cleared UPSC CSE 2015 with AIR 4 in her first attempt.
2. What’s her educational background?
Completed MBBS at Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi; did internship at Lok Nayak Hospital. Left her MD midway to focus on UPSC.
3. How did she prepare for the UPSC exam?
Self-studied over eight months without coaching, opting for Medical Science as her optional—demonstrating focused and strategic preparation.
4. What are her notable administrative achievements?
She’s held key roles including DM of Khairthal-Tijara, Dudu, Alwar. She’s received state-level awards for social welfare and resolved high-impact citizen issues like delayed pensions.
5. Has she been involved in any controversies?
Yes—a doctor accused her of assault during a COVID-19 duty, leading to an investigation and reassignment. She denied the allegations.
6. Who is her husband?
She’s married to IAS Jasmeet Singh Sandhu, her batchmate and UPSC AIR 3, forming a celebrated couple within the civil service community.
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