Saumya Sharma is an inspiring Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, best known for securing All India Rank 9 (AIR 9) in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2017 on her first attempt, despite losing her hearing at age 16. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, has made her a role model for UPSC aspirants, especially those with disabilities. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nagpur Zilla Parishad, Saumya's story of overcoming challenges continues to inspire millions. This detailed profile covers her biography, family, education, career, recent updates, controversies, and fascinating facts about her life.
Biography of Saumya Sharma
Saumya Sharma was born on October 15, 1995, in New Delhi, India, into a family of doctors. At age 16, she suffered sudden hearing loss due to a nerve disorder, requiring her to use hearing aids. Despite this setback, her determination led her to top the UPSC CSE 2017 at age 23, scoring 1,091/2,025, including 895/1,750 in mains and 196/275 in the interview. Her story of overcoming disability, self-studying for just four months, and achieving success without coaching has made her a household name.
Currently, Saumya serves as the CEO of Nagpur Zilla Parishad, a role she assumed in 2023, focusing on grassroots governance and public welfare. Her journey, shared through social media and interviews, continues to inspire aspirants, with her UPSC preparation tips and personal life widely discussed online.
Family Details
- Father: Dr. Ajay Sharma, a doctor who supported Saumya's education and career choices. He tried to help her hearing loss but couldn't fully address it.
- Mother: Dr. Anju Sharma, also a doctor, who provided emotional support, especially during Saumya's challenging preparation phase. Both parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams despite her disability.
- Siblings: Saumya has a younger sister, though her name is not widely publicized. Her family maintained a low profile, focusing on her success.
- Husband: Archit Chandak, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 2018 batch, currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Economic Offences Wing, Nagpur. They married in 2021, forming a notable IAS-IPS couple.
- Extended Family: Saumya's family has roots in Delhi, known for their academic and professional achievements in medicine.
Her family's support, especially her parents' encouragement and her husband's shared civil service background, played a pivotal role in her success, enabling her to pursue UPSC despite hearing challenges.
Educational Qualifications
Saumya Sharma's academic journey is impressive, reflecting her intellectual prowess and resilience:
- Schooling:
- Completed early education at Springdales School, Pusa Road, New Delhi, excelling in academics despite losing her hearing at age 16.
- Secured 10 CGPA in Class 10 and 94% in Class 12, showcasing her dedication and academic excellence.
- Undergraduate:
- Earned a BA LLB (Hons) from National Law University (NLU), Delhi, graduating in 2017. Her legal education honed her analytical skills, crucial for UPSC preparation.
- UPSC Preparation:
- Self-studied for UPSC without coaching, relying on NCERT books, newspapers like The Hindu, and online resources, dedicating six hours daily for four months.
- Chose Law as her optional subject, scoring 304/500 in UPSC Mains 2017, contributing significantly to her rank.
- Focused on current affairs, reading newspapers daily, which was key to her success.
Her educational background, combining law and self-study, contributed to her remarkable success in the UPSC CSE.
Career Graph
Saumya Sharma's career spans law, UPSC preparation, and public administration, marked by significant achievements:
Early Career (Law Student)
- NLU Delhi (2012-2017): Pursued BA LLB (Hons) at NLU Delhi, balancing academics with her hearing challenges. Graduated in 2017, the same year she cleared UPSC.
- UPSC Preparation (2016-2017): Began preparing in her final year of law school, dedicating four months to self-study. Cleared UPSC CSE 2017 on her first attempt at age 23.
IAS Career (2018-Present)
- Training (2018): Underwent IAS training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, gaining administrative skills. Her batchmates included Anudeep Durishetty (AIR 1) and Anu Kumari (AIR 2).
- Early Postings (2018-2022):
- Served as Assistant Collector in Nagpur, Maharashtra, during her training phase.
- Appointed Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in various districts, gaining experience in grassroots governance.
- CEO, Nagpur Zilla Parishad (2023-Present):
- Assumed charge as CEO of Nagpur Zilla Parishad in 2023, focusing on implementing government policies and programs in health, education, and social welfare.
- Works in partnership with departments and officials to meet community needs, ensuring effective governance.
- Social Media Influence (2024):
- Shares glimpses of her life, including stunning photos and videos, on Instagram, with nearly 250,000 followers. Her husband, Archit Chandak, has over 100,000 followers, making them a popular IAS-IPS couple.
Recent News
- CEO Role, Nagpur Zilla Parishad (2023-Present):
- Continues to serve as CEO, focusing on grassroots governance and public welfare. Her tenure has been praised for effective implementation of government programs.
- Inspirational Story (October-December 2024):
- Featured in multiple articles for overcoming hearing loss at 16, self-studying for four months, and topping UPSC on her first attempt. Her story inspires aspirants with disabilities.
- Posts on X highlight her resilience, with many celebrating her as a role model for determination and hard work.
- UPSC Tips and Strategies (2024-2025):
- Shared preparation tips, emphasizing self-study, consistency, and the importance of Law as an optional subject. Her strategies, including daily newspaper reading, are widely shared online.
- Social Media Presence (2024):
- Shared elegant photos and videos on Instagram, including family moments and professional insights, inspiring followers. Posts from June 2024, credited to Soumya Prakash Pradhan, went viral, showcasing her personal life.
- IAS-IPS Couple Spotlight (2024):
- Her marriage to Archit Chandak, an IPS officer, has drawn attention, with their shared civil service journey celebrated on social media. Archit's fitness interests, including chess and marathons, complement Saumya's inspirational story.
Controversies
Saumya Sharma has largely avoided controversies, maintaining a clean public image. However, here are minor points of discussion:
- Marksheet Comparisons (October-December 2024):
- Her UPSC marksheet, showcasing her high scores, drew comparisons with other toppers like Anudeep Durishetty and Anu Kumari, sparking debates on social media about UPSC scoring patterns. No direct controversy, but highlighted public interest in her success.
- Public Scrutiny of Disability (2024):
- Her hearing loss and use of hearing aids have been discussed, with some questioning how she manages administrative duties. Saumya's success has largely silenced critics, proving her capabilities.
- Social Media Attention (June 2024):
- Viral photos and videos, including professional and personal moments, drew attention, with some debating her public persona as an IAS officer. No controversies, but increased visibility.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Saumya Sharma
- UPSC AIR 9 (2017): Topped UPSC CSE 2017 on her first attempt at age 23, scoring 1,091/2,025, despite losing her hearing at 16.
- Hearing Loss at 16: Suffered sudden hearing loss due to a nerve disorder, requiring hearing aids, but pursued her dreams with unwavering determination.
- Self-Study Success: Cleared UPSC without coaching, self-studying for just four months, relying on NCERT books, newspapers, and online resources.
- Law Optional: Chose Law as her optional subject, scoring 304/500, contributing significantly to her rank, leveraging her NLU Delhi education.
- IAS-IPS Couple: Married Archit Chandak, an IPS officer from the 2018 batch, in 2021, forming a notable civil service couple with a strong social media presence.
- CEO, Nagpur Zilla Parishad (2023): Assumed charge in 2023, focusing on grassroots governance, health, education, and social welfare in Nagpur.
- Family of Doctors: Born to doctor parents, Dr. Ajay Sharma and Dr. Anju Sharma, who supported her education and career despite her hearing challenges.
- Viral Social Media (2024): Shared elegant photos and videos on Instagram, with nearly 250,000 followers, inspiring aspirants. Posts from June 2024 went viral.
- Inspirational Figure: Featured in articles for overcoming disability, self-studying, and topping UPSC, inspiring millions, especially those with challenges.
- UPSC Tips (2024-2025): Shared preparation strategies, emphasizing consistency, self-study, and daily newspaper reading, aiding aspirants across India.
Saumya Sharma's journey from overcoming hearing loss to UPSC AIR 9 and Nagpur Zilla Parishad's CEO is a beacon of inspiration for aspirants, especially those with disabilities. Her resilience, self-study approach, and record-breaking UPSC success have made her a role model. While she remains largely controversy-free, her public image continues to grow, with recent news focusing on her administrative contributions and personal life. As she serves Nagpur, Saumya's story underscores the power of determination and hard work in achieving excellence in public service.
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