Garima Lohia, a name synonymous with determination and academic excellence, has become an inspiration for millions of aspirants across India. Securing the All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022, Garima has etched her name in the annals of India’s prestigious civil services. Her journey from a small town in Bihar to becoming an IAS officer is a testament to her resilience, hard work, and unwavering commitment to public service.
Early Life and Background
Garima Lohia was born in Buxar, a small town in Bihar, India, into a business-oriented family. Raised in a joint family of 13 members, Garima grew up in an environment that valued education and perseverance, largely influenced by her parents, who were both educators. Her father, a wholesale garments dealer, tragically passed away due to a heart attack in 2015 when Garima was just 15 years old. This personal loss was a significant challenge, but her mother’s unwavering support became the cornerstone of her success. Garima’s mother, a constant source of inspiration, encouraged her to pursue her dreams despite the hardships faced by the family.
From a young age, Garima displayed exceptional academic prowess. Her early education took place at Woodstock School in Buxar, where she completed her secondary education. She later pursued her higher secondary education (11th and 12th grades) at Sunbeam Hostel in Bhagwanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Her academic brilliance and disciplined approach laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors.
Garima’s interest in public service was deeply rooted in her understanding of the challenges faced by people in small towns and villages, particularly in Bihar. Witnessing the inadequacies in sectors like health and education during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further fueled her desire to contribute to societal development, ultimately leading her to pursue the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Educational Journey
Garima’s academic journey is a blend of dedication and strategic planning. After completing her schooling, she moved to Delhi to pursue higher education. She enrolled at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, where she graduated with a degree in Commerce and Accountancy in 2020. Her choice of Commerce and Accountancy as her optional subject for the UPSC exam was a natural extension of her academic background, allowing her to leverage her expertise in the subject.
During her college years, Garima’s exposure to diverse perspectives and her keen interest in self-improvement, evident from her habit of listening to self-improvement podcasts, shaped her approach to life and career. Her academic excellence, combined with her ability to adapt and learn, prepared her for the rigorous demands of the UPSC examination.
UPSC Journey and Strategy
Garima Lohia’s journey to securing AIR 2 in the UPSC CSE 2022 is nothing short of inspiring. She began her preparation in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, a time when the world was grappling with unprecedented challenges. Unlike many aspirants who rely on coaching institutes, Garima opted for self-study, utilizing online resources such as YouTube, books, and the internet to prepare for one of India’s toughest examinations.
Her preparation strategy was meticulous and disciplined. Garima dedicated over 12 hours a day to her studies, focusing on a comprehensive understanding of the UPSC syllabus. She emphasized solving previous years’ question papers to familiarize herself with the exam pattern and honed her skills through rigorous practice. Her study schedule was intense, often spanning from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., reflecting her commitment to achieving her goal.
Garima’s first attempt at the UPSC exam in 2021 was unsuccessful, as she could not clear the preliminary stage. However, this setback only strengthened her resolve. Learning from her mistakes, she refined her strategy, focusing on improving her weak areas and maintaining consistency. Her perseverance paid off in her second attempt in 2022, when she secured an impressive total of 1063 marks, earning her the second rank nationwide.
Her choice of Commerce and Accountancy as her optional subject played a crucial role in her success, as it aligned with her academic strengths. Garima’s journey highlights the importance of resilience, self-belief, and a strategic approach to achieving success in competitive examinations.
Career as an IAS Officer
Garima Lohia is currently serving as an IAS officer in Bihar, her home state, having secured the home cadre after clearing the UPSC CSE 2022. Her posting in Bihar is significant, as only four out of 14 candidates from Bihar who cleared the 2022 exam were allotted the home cadre. Her career is marked by a commitment to public service, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by people in small cities and villages.
In March 2024, Garima was among several IAS officers whose transfers were announced by the Bihar government’s Home Department. This transfer, part of a broader administrative reshuffle, saw new responsibilities assigned to several new IAS officers, including Garima. While specific details of her current posting are not widely publicized, her work focuses on improving infrastructure and public services in Bihar, aligning with her initial motivation to bring about positive change in underserved areas.
In March 2025, Garima was part of a group of six female IAS officers who met with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, highlighting her growing prominence in the state’s administrative circles. This meeting underscored her active role in Bihar’s governance and her contributions to public welfare initiatives.
Recent News and Updates
Garima Lohia has been in the news for her inspiring journey and contributions as an IAS officer. Recent updates include:
- Meeting with Bihar CM (March 2025): Garima, along with other female IAS officers such as Kritika Mishra, Akanksha Anand, Anjali Sharma, Shipra Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Neha Kumari, met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This event, reported by News18 Hindi, highlighted her role as a trainee IAS officer and her contributions to Bihar’s administrative framework.
- Administrative Transfers (March 2024): The Bihar government announced the transfer of several IAS officers, including Garima Lohia, as part of a larger reshuffle. This move, covered by Amar Ujala, signifies her active involvement in the state’s administrative machinery and her assignment to new responsibilities.
- Recognition for UPSC Success: Garima’s achievement as the second-rank holder in UPSC CSE 2022 continues to be celebrated in media outlets like The Statesman, Zee News, and Aaj Tak, which have highlighted her journey from a small town to a top IAS officer.
Controversies
As of the latest available information, there are no reported controversies associated with Garima Lohia. Her journey has been largely portrayed as one of inspiration, focusing on her academic achievements, dedication, and commitment to public service. Media coverage emphasizes her resilience in overcoming personal challenges, such as the loss of her father, and her success in the UPSC exam without coaching. Any negative speculation or unverified claims about controversies are absent from credible sources, and her public image remains that of a dedicated and hardworking IAS officer.
Personal Life
Garima Lohia hails from a joint family in Buxar, Bihar, and values her strong family ties. Her mother’s support was instrumental in her UPSC preparation, and Garima has often credited her family for instilling values of perseverance and education. Despite her demanding career, she maintains a grounded personality, with interests in self-improvement podcasts that reflect her focus on personal growth.
Garima’s personal life is marked by humility and a deep connection to her roots in Bihar. Her experiences growing up in a small town have shaped her commitment to improving the lives of people in similar communities, making her a relatable figure for aspiring civil servants.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Garima Lohia
- UPSC AIR 2 in 2022: Garima secured the second rank in the UPSC CSE 2022, scoring 1063 marks.
- Self-Study Success: She prepared for the UPSC exam without coaching, relying on online resources and self-discipline.
- Commerce and Accountancy Optional: Her choice of optional subject aligned with her academic background from Delhi University.
- Bihar Native: Born in Buxar, Bihar, Garima is deeply committed to improving conditions in her home state.
- Overcame Personal Loss: She lost her father in 2015 but persevered to achieve her dreams with her mother’s support.
- Intense Study Schedule: Garima studied for over 12 hours daily, often from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., during her preparation.
- Second Attempt Success: After failing the prelims in 2021, she bounced back to secure AIR 2 in 2022.
- Home Cadre Allocation: She was one of only four Bihar candidates to secure the home cadre in 2022.
- Delhi University Graduate: She completed her commerce degree at Kirori Mal College in 2020.
- Inspiration for Aspirants: Her story has inspired countless UPSC aspirants, particularly from small towns.
FAQs About Garima Lohia IAS
1. Who is Garima Lohia?
Garima Lohia is an IAS officer who secured AIR 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022. She hails from Buxar, Bihar, and is known for her self-study approach and dedication to public service.
Garima Lohia is an IAS officer who secured AIR 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022. She hails from Buxar, Bihar, and is known for her self-study approach and dedication to public service.
2. What was Garima Lohia’s optional subject in UPSC?
Her optional subject was Commerce and Accountancy, reflecting her academic background.
Her optional subject was Commerce and Accountancy, reflecting her academic background.
3. How did Garima Lohia prepare for UPSC?
Garima relied on self-study, using online resources like YouTube and books, and dedicated over 12 hours daily to her preparation.
Garima relied on self-study, using online resources like YouTube and books, and dedicated over 12 hours daily to her preparation.
4. Where is Garima Lohia posted currently?
She is serving as an IAS officer in Bihar, though specific details of her current posting are not widely publicized.
She is serving as an IAS officer in Bihar, though specific details of her current posting are not widely publicized.
5. Did Garima Lohia face any challenges during her UPSC journey?
Yes, she lost her father in 2015 and faced a setback in her first UPSC attempt in 2021 but persevered to succeed in 2022.
Yes, she lost her father in 2015 and faced a setback in her first UPSC attempt in 2021 but persevered to succeed in 2022.
6. What is Garima Lohia’s educational background?
She completed her secondary education at Woodstock School, Buxar, higher secondary at Sunbeam School, Varanasi, and graduated in Commerce from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.
She completed her secondary education at Woodstock School, Buxar, higher secondary at Sunbeam School, Varanasi, and graduated in Commerce from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.
7. Are there any controversies associated with Garima Lohia?
As of the latest information, there are no reported controversies linked to Garima Lohia.
As of the latest information, there are no reported controversies linked to Garima Lohia.
8. What inspired Garima to pursue the UPSC exam?
Her desire to address challenges in health and education sectors, particularly in small towns, motivated her to pursue the civil services.
Her desire to address challenges in health and education sectors, particularly in small towns, motivated her to pursue the civil services.
9. How many attempts did Garima take to clear UPSC?
She cleared the UPSC exam in her second attempt in 2022.
She cleared the UPSC exam in her second attempt in 2022.
10. What is Garima Lohia’s current role?
She is an IAS officer in Bihar, working on initiatives to improve public services and infrastructure.
She is an IAS officer in Bihar, working on initiatives to improve public services and infrastructure.
Conclusion
Garima Lohia’s journey from a small town in Bihar to becoming an IAS officer with AIR 2 in UPSC CSE 2022 is a remarkable story of grit, determination, and self-belief. Her strategic preparation, reliance on self-study, and commitment to public service make her a role model for aspiring civil servants. As she continues her career in Bihar, Garima remains dedicated to uplifting underserved communities, embodying the spirit of service that defines the Indian Administrative Service. Her story continues to inspire, proving that with perseverance, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.
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