Shruti Sharma, IAS, is a name synonymous with determination, academic brilliance, and public service. As the All India Rank (AIR) 1 holder in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2021, she has inspired countless aspirants across India with her story of perseverance and success. Hailing from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, Shruti’s journey from a small-town scholar to a top-ranking IAS officer is a testament to her hard work and strategic preparation. Currently posted in Uttar Pradesh, she continues to serve the nation while remaining a role model for UPSC aspirants.
Early Life and Education
Shruti Sharma was born on July 5, 1994, in Basta, a small town in the Chandpur tehsil of Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Raised in a middle-class family, Shruti grew up in an environment that valued education and discipline. Her father, an engineer, and her mother, a homemaker, instilled in her a strong sense of purpose and ambition from a young age. Shruti’s early education began at Cambridge Primary School, Delhi, where she studied from kindergarten to Class 5. She later moved to Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi, where she completed her schooling.
Shruti’s academic prowess was evident early on. She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in History (Honours) at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, one of India’s most prestigious institutions. Her passion for history deepened during her undergraduate years, which later influenced her choice of optional subject for the UPSC exam. After graduating, she enrolled at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, for a postgraduate degree, further honing her analytical and research skills. However, her aspiration to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) led her to pivot toward UPSC preparation.
UPSC Journey: From Setback to Success
Shruti Sharma’s UPSC journey is a remarkable story of resilience. In her first attempt at the UPSC CSE, she narrowly missed the interview stage by just one mark, a setback that could have discouraged many. However, Shruti used this experience as motivation to refine her strategy. She joined the Jamia Millia Islamia Residential Coaching Academy, which provided a conducive environment for focused preparation, peer learning, and group study.
For her second attempt in 2021, Shruti adopted a disciplined approach, emphasizing answer-writing practice, mock tests, and a thorough understanding of the syllabus. She chose History as her optional subject, leveraging her academic background. Her preparation included test series from ForumIAS for General Studies and Essay, Vajiram for History, and IAS Hub for additional practice. Shruti’s hobbies, such as reading books, exploring new cultures, and watching movies, helped her maintain a healthy balance during her intense study schedule.
On May 30, 2022, when the UPSC CSE 2021 results were announced, Shruti Sharma emerged as the AIR-1 topper, scoring an impressive 1105 marks out of 2025. Her marksheet, which later went viral, showcased her excellence across subjects: Essay (132), General Studies-I (135), General Studies-II (121), General Studies-III (139), General Studies-IV (112), History Optional-I (155), and History Optional-II (138). Her achievement was historic, as the top three ranks in 2021 were secured by women, with Ankita Agarwal (AIR-2) and Gamini Singla (AIR-3) following her.
Career as an IAS Officer
After clearing the UPSC exam, Shruti Sharma was allocated the Uttar Pradesh cadre, her home state, allowing her to serve the region she grew up in. As of the latest updates, she is posted in Uttar Pradesh, though specific details about her current role are not publicly available. Her choice to join the IAS reflects her desire to bring positive change to society, particularly in areas like education, healthcare, and rural development. Shruti has expressed her commitment to serving the underprivileged and addressing systemic challenges in governance.
Recent News and Developments (2025)
Shruti Sharma has remained in the public eye due to her inspiring journey and contributions as an IAS officer. Below are some recent developments associated with her:
- Viral Marksheet Comparison (January 2025)
- In January 2025, Shruti’s UPSC CSE 2021 marksheet resurfaced on social media, sparking comparisons with the 2023 topper, Aditya Srivastava. Reports highlighted that Shruti’s total score of 1105 was higher than Srivastava’s, reigniting discussions about her academic brilliance. The viral trend underscored her enduring popularity among UPSC aspirants.
- Inspiration for Aspirants
- Shruti’s preparation strategy, including her handwritten notes and test series recommendations, continues to be a sought-after resource. In February 2024, UPSCprep.com shared her notes, which remain popular among candidates. Her advice on practicing online test series and focusing on self-study has been widely circulated.
- No Recent Postings Reported
- Unlike some IAS officers who have been in the news for bureaucratic reshuffles, such as the Punjab cadre’s Shruti Singh (2004 batch), who was transferred to Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi, in March 2025, there are no recent updates on Shruti Sharma’s specific postings or transfers in 2025. This Shruti Singh is a different individual, often confused with Shruti Sharma due to the similarity in names.
Controversies
Shruti Sharma has largely maintained a controversy-free public image, focusing on her duties as an IAS officer. However, one minor issue arose in 2022, shortly after her UPSC results were announced:
- Fake Social Media Accounts (July 2022)
- Following her AIR-1 achievement, several fake social media accounts emerged under Shruti’s name, spreading misinformation and attempting to capitalize on her fame. Shruti took swift action by clarifying the issue through her official accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. She also filed a complaint with the Uttar Pradesh Police and Cyber Cell. In response, she collaborated with UP Police to raise awareness about fake news, appearing in a video to urge the public to verify information online. This incident highlighted her proactive approach to tackling cyber fraud but did not escalate into a major controversy.
No significant controversies have been reported involving Shruti Sharma in 2025, reinforcing her reputation as a dedicated and ethical officer.
Personal Life and Interests
At 30 years old (as of 2025), Shruti Sharma is known for her down-to-earth personality and diverse interests. She is passionate about learning new languages and cultures, having attempted to study Urdu during her UPSC preparation. Her favorite poets include Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena and Dushyant Kumar, reflecting her literary inclinations. Shruti enjoys reading, watching movies, and walking, activities that helped her unwind during her rigorous preparation. She has not publicly shared details about her marital status or family life, preferring to keep her personal life private.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Shruti Sharma, IAS
- UPSC AIR-1 in Second Attempt: Shruti missed the interview stage by one mark in her first attempt but topped the UPSC CSE 2021 in her second try.
- History Optional Expert: She chose History as her optional subject, scoring 155 and 138 in the two papers, leveraging her academic background.
- All-Women Toppers in 2021: Shruti led an all-female top three in UPSC 2021, alongside Ankita Agarwal and Gamini Singla.
- JNU Alumnus: She pursued postgraduate studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, enhancing her research skills.
- Viral Marksheet: Her 2021 marksheet, with a total of 1105 marks, went viral in 2025, sparking comparisons with other toppers.
- Fake Accounts Crackdown: In 2022, she collaborated with UP Police to combat fake social media accounts impersonating her.
- Balanced Lifestyle: Shruti enjoys reading, watching movies, and walking, maintaining a healthy balance during UPSC preparation.
- Jamia Coaching Success: She credits Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy for her structured preparation.
- Social Media Presence: Unlike some IAS officers, Shruti has maintained an active but cautious social media presence, clarifying misinformation promptly.
- Inspiration for Aspirants: Her handwritten notes and preparation tips remain popular resources for UPSC candidates.
FAQs About Shruti Sharma, IAS
Q1: Who is Shruti Sharma, IAS?
A1: Shruti Sharma is the UPSC CSE 2021 AIR-1 topper, an IAS officer from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, currently posted in the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
A1: Shruti Sharma is the UPSC CSE 2021 AIR-1 topper, an IAS officer from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, currently posted in the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Q2: What was Shruti Sharma’s UPSC score?
A2: She scored 1105 marks out of 2025 in UPSC CSE 2021, with strong performances in History (optional) and General Studies.
A2: She scored 1105 marks out of 2025 in UPSC CSE 2021, with strong performances in History (optional) and General Studies.
Q3: What is Shruti Sharma’s educational background?
A3: She holds a History Honours degree from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and pursued postgraduate studies at JNU.
A3: She holds a History Honours degree from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and pursued postgraduate studies at JNU.
Q4: Why did Shruti Sharma’s marksheet go viral in 2025?
A4: Her 2021 marksheet was compared to the 2023 topper Aditya Srivastava’s, highlighting her higher score.
A4: Her 2021 marksheet was compared to the 2023 topper Aditya Srivastava’s, highlighting her higher score.
Q5: Has Shruti Sharma been involved in any controversies?
A5: In 2022, she addressed fake social media accounts impersonating her, collaborating with UP Police to raise awareness. No major controversies exist.
A5: In 2022, she addressed fake social media accounts impersonating her, collaborating with UP Police to raise awareness. No major controversies exist.
Q6: What is Shruti Sharma’s current posting?
A6: She is posted in Uttar Pradesh, though specific details about her role in 2025 are not publicly available.
A6: She is posted in Uttar Pradesh, though specific details about her role in 2025 are not publicly available.
Q7: What was Shruti Sharma’s optional subject in UPSC?
A7: She chose History, scoring 155 and 138 in the two optional papers.
A7: She chose History, scoring 155 and 138 in the two optional papers.
Q8: How did Shruti Sharma prepare for UPSC?
A8: She focused on answer-writing, mock tests, and self-study, using resources from ForumIAS, Vajiram, and Jamia’s coaching academy.
A8: She focused on answer-writing, mock tests, and self-study, using resources from ForumIAS, Vajiram, and Jamia’s coaching academy.
Q9: What are Shruti Sharma’s hobbies?
A9: She enjoys reading, watching movies, walking, and learning new languages like Urdu.
A9: She enjoys reading, watching movies, walking, and learning new languages like Urdu.
Q10: Why is Shruti Sharma an inspiration for UPSC aspirants?
A10: Her journey from missing the interview by one mark to topping UPSC in her second attempt motivates aspirants to persevere.
A10: Her journey from missing the interview by one mark to topping UPSC in her second attempt motivates aspirants to persevere.
Conclusion
Shruti Sharma, IAS, is a beacon of inspiration for UPSC aspirants and a dedicated public servant. Her journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to the top rank in one of India’s toughest exams showcases her resilience, intellect, and commitment to society. While she remains free of major controversies, her proactive handling of minor issues like fake social media accounts highlights her integrity. As she continues her service in Uttar Pradesh, Shruti’s story will undoubtedly inspire future generations of civil servants. Stay tuned for updates on her impactful career.
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