IAS Srushti Deshmukh: From UPSC Topper to Online Inspiration, Her Marksheet Says It All

The story of IAS officer Srushti Deshmukh is like a guiding light for many people who dream of becoming civil servants. Despite a humble background, Srushti did exceptionally well in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018, securing the 5th position. Recently, Srushti caught everyone's attention when her UPSC exam marksheet started circulating on social media.

People not only praised her impressive total score of 1068 marks but also appreciated her outstanding performance in various subjects. Notably, she scored 113 marks in the Essay paper and 162 marks in Optional-1 (Sociology), which underlines her remarkable accomplishments.
UPSC CSE 2018: Srushti Deshmukh's Marksheet

Exceptional choice of subject
Srushti's remarkable journey is highlighted by her outstanding performance in her first attempt at the Civil Services Examination. What sets her apart is not only her academic prowess but also her decision to pursue sociology instead of her field of study, chemical engineering.

Preparation strategy
For the UPSC exam, Srushti adopted a comprehensive preparation approach combining coaching classes with online learning. To improve her interview skills, she participated in mock test sessions, focusing on perfecting her body language and attitude for facing the selection panel with confidence and precision.
Why Chemical Engineering?
In an interview with Education Times, Shrusti had earlier disclosed that she was confident about clearing the challenging UPSC IAS Exam. However, she pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering as a fallback plan.

Education Times quoted her saying, "I took up engineering to secure an alternate career if I cannot get through the UPSC exam. When I started preparing for the exam right after graduation, I was not sure if I could crack it. But my confidence slowly grew when I started performing well in mock test series and I knew I could make it to the list. However, I never expected that I will be a topper in the women category."
Early life
Shrusti, born in 1995 to Jayant and Sunita Deshmukh in Kasturba Nagar, Bhopal, showcased academic prowess from a very young age. She completed her chemical engineering degree from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, and achieved an impressive 93.4% in Class XII. Jayant Deshmukh, an engineer, and Sunita Deshmukh, a pre-primary schoolteacher, provided the nurturing environment for her educational journey.
Inspiration for many
Shruti Deshmukh Gowda has a massive 2.4 million followers on Instagram and stands as one of the foremost IAS officers with a significant presence on the platform. Her marriage to Dr. Nagarjun B Gowda, who is also an IAS officer, adds another layer to her inspirational journey, as she consistently motivates others through her outstanding accomplishments.