‘Consistency and hard work are the key to success’ they say. Namrata Thakre, who achieved All India Rank of 671 in UPSC exams, is an embodiment of this approach as she kept on trying to achieve her goal until she succeeded in her seventh attempt. Daughter of Anil Thakre, a farmer from Haturna, a small village in Warud tehsil of Amravati district, and Sangita Thakre, homemaker, Namrata studied in her village till seventh standard. She moved to Warud for further education. She completed her higher secondary education from Amravati, before completing her graduation from Shivaji Science College in Science stream. “While studying in my village, I used to notice many things lacking there like lack of medical facilities and issues faced by women in my village and felt doing something about it. Later, over the course of my education, I realised I can resolve these issues by becoming a part of administration,” explained Namrata Thakre when asked about her inspiration behind choosing this field. Namarta’s result today might be a story of success, but her journey was not as rosy as it seems.

 

She could not clear preliminary exams in her first three attempts. These results discouraged her, bringing thoughts of self-doubt, financial security, and exploring other fields constantly cropping in her mind. But, it was her parents who motivated her to keep trying without thinking of anything else. They even shielded her from societal pressures of getting a job and getting marries. She credits her success to perseverance and support of her parents. She started appearing for UPSC exams in 2017, and after first three disappointing years, her fate changed when she got admission in Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI) of the state government. With their help she went to Delhi and prepared there for the exams for one year. She said that referring to previous years exam papers as the key for her preparation.

 

Her hard work helped her as she started clearing the preliminary exams and other competitive exams. Before being selected this time, she had appeared for mains exams two times. This was her third mains exam and first interview and she succeeded in achieving her exams. As she bask in glory of her success, she is determined to attempt once again next year, if she didn’t get the IAS service after completing the training.