Who Is Wardah Khan? Woman Quits Corporate Job, Secures Top 20 In UPSC

In a tale of the pursuit of dreams and brilliance, a young girl from Noida has impressed the country with her feat. Wardah Khan, a 24-year-old UPSC aspirant, who had quit her corporate job to prepare for the civil servant examination has aced the coveted UPSC Civil Services Exam 2023, securing an impressive All India 18th rank. 

Khan who is a Bachelor in Commerce (Honours) graduate from the Khalsa College of Delhi University and left her corporate job three years ago to prepare for one of the toughest examinations in the country managed to crack the exam just in her second attempt with flying colours. This achievement is particularly inspiring as Khan decided to quit her corporate job to pursue her dream of becoming a civil servant.

24-Year-Old Woman Who Quit Corporate Job Secures Top 20 In UPSC

At just 24 years old, Khan exemplifies the growing trend of youth of India who are choosing to pursue civil services quitting their corporate jobs in the pursuit of their dreams. As the results of one of the most challenging exams, UPSC 2023 were announced on April 16, Khan did not expect to be securing one of the top 20 ranks nationwide. 

After the results were announced on Tuesday evening, Khan expressed how like every other aspirant she just wished her name into the list of qualifiers but it was "unimaginable" for her to secure the 18th rank. It is to be noted that Khan cracked the prestigious examination just in her second attempt. 

Khan is the only child of her parents and lives with her mother in Noida after her father died nine years ago. Khan started preparing for the civil service examinations in 2021 after quitting her corporate job just eight months after joining as she states the job was not satisfying her.

During Khan's job tenure, she realised she wanted to become a civil servant. However, during her college days at DU (Delhi University) she had a keen interest in geopolitics, polity and history and participated in several  MUNs (mock United Nations) and debates during her college days. However, it was later Khan realised the syllabus and opportunities the path of civil services offers align with her interests. 

The 24-year-old UPSC qualifier explained why she quit her job and the reason for her to choose civil services as her career path as she said: "I worked for a corporate firm for eight months. That didn't sort of satisfy me. I wanted to give back to the society and wanted to work for my country and transform the lives of the people."

The young qualifier shared with the media how her first preference was the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) to represent India on the global stage, as she stated, "I wish to make the country proud at global platforms." She also shared how she had the support of her family and friends who pushed her to pursue the part of her dreams when she could not believe in herself and admitted the tough life of an aspirant who has to make many sacrifices and isolate themselves to prepare for these examinations. 

Khan's story resonates with many UPSC aspirants across the country. Shedding the comfort of a stable corporate job to pursue an uncertain path towards civil service demands immense courage and commitment. 

Watch the full interview here

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Noida resident Wardah Khan secures 18th rank in UPSC 2023.

She says, "I had never thought that I would make it to Top 20. I just wanted to make it to the list (of qualifiers). This is a huge moment for my family and me. This was my second attempt. I have… pic.twitter.com/2KoPdlDPmV

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024