Gunjan Dwivedi, IAS, is an accomplished Indian Administrative Service officer known for her persistence, hard work, and inspirational journey through one of India’s toughest exams—the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her story exemplifies resilience and unwavering commitment to public service.
Early Life and Education
Gunjan Dwivedi hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Born into a family deeply rooted in public service, her father was a retired IPS officer, and her sister serves as a Commercial Tax Officer in Saharanpur. This environment imbued her with a natural inclination towards civil services and a determination to contribute meaningfully to society.jansatta+2
Gunjan studied at an ICSE board-affiliated school, excelling academically—scoring 93.5% in Class 10 and 87.6% in Class 12. She completed her graduation from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, earning a B.A. (Hons) in Political Science with 71.5% marks. Political Science later became her optional subject in the UPSC exams.chahalacademy
UPSC Journey and Success
Her path to success was far from easy. Gunjan’s UPSC journey began in 2016 after completing college. Her first attempt ended before the mains stage, as she didn’t qualify the prelims. Undeterred, she improved her strategy but again failed in her second attempt. However, the setbacks only strengthened her resolve.jansatta+1
In 2018, on her third attempt, she achieved an All India Rank (AIR) 9, a remarkable feat that placed her among India’s top civil service achievers. In interviews, Gunjan emphasized that there are no shortcuts to success in UPSC. She stated that consistent effort, conceptual clarity, and perseverance are paramount. She credited NCERT books for building her fundamentals and stressed regular newspaper reading to develop awareness of current affairs.jansatta+2
Career and Postings
After her selection in the UPSC Civil Services 2018 batch, Gunjan Dwivedi joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and was allotted the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Her early training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie prepared her for administrative challenges.thesecretariat
Gunjan has served in various administrative capacities in Uttar Pradesh, working on grassroots governance, social welfare policies, and development programs. Her reputation for efficiency, empathy, and integrity has earned her recognition in both bureaucratic circles and public forums. As of 2025, reports note her contribution in urban welfare initiatives and women empowerment projects in Lucknow and surrounding districts.abplive+1
Work Ethic and Administrative Philosophy
Gunjan believes that a civil servant should remain accessible to people and respond proactively to their grievances. She often highlights that genuine development begins at the district level through transparent governance and citizen engagement. Her leadership style combines data-driven decision-making with emotional intelligence, ensuring that policies are implemented effectively.
In multiple public interactions, she has encouraged aspirants to prepare systematically rather than relying on popular study tricks or crash courses, emphasizing the importance of self-evaluation and consistent revision.abplive
Recognition and Media Coverage
Gunjan’s success story continues to inspire thousands of aspirants across the country. Major media outlets such as Jagran Josh, Jansatta, ABP News, and The Secretariat have highlighted her journey as a model of perseverance. She has been featured in motivational talks and education conferences, where she shares her insights on UPSC preparation and administrative leadership.jagranjosh+2
Her presence on social media also reflects a balanced approach to visibility—using platforms to educate and motivate rather than seek personal spotlight.abplive
Controversies
As of 2025, there are no major controversies associated with IAS Gunjan Dwivedi. Her public image remains one of professionalism, humility, and commitment to ethical governance. She has occasionally been vocal about transparency and efficiency in government functioning, which has earned her both appreciation and bureaucratic challenges, but none have escalated into controversies.thesecretariat+1
Personal Life and Interests
Outside of her demanding career, Gunjan Dwivedi is known to enjoy reading, writing, and traveling. Friends describe her as empathetic and disciplined. She attributes much of her success to her supportive family—her father’s mentorship, her mother’s encouragement, and her siblings’ unwavering belief in her potential.chahalacademy
Her journey from repeated failure to becoming a top-ranked IAS officer embodies lessons in resilience that extend beyond exams into life itself.
Top Interesting Facts About IAS Gunjan Dwivedi
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She cracked the UPSC Civil Services Exam in her third attempt after failing the prelims in her first two.
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Gunjan secured an All India Rank of 9 in CSE 2018.
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Her optional subject was Political Science and International Relations (PSIR).
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She is from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and belongs to a family of administrators—her father is an ex-IPS officer.
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She believes in no shortcuts for UPSC success and stresses the importance of NCERT books and continuous self-assessment.
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Gunjan studied at Daulat Ram College, Delhi University.
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She has become a motivational figure for many aspirants, often quoted in success stories and UPSC preparation materials.
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Gunjan is known for her down-to-earth personality and public service ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is IAS Gunjan Dwivedi?
Gunjan Dwivedi is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 2018 batch who secured All India Rank 9 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.jansatta+1
Q2: What is Gunjan Dwivedi’s educational background?
She completed her graduation in Political Science (Hons) from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University.chahalacademy
Q3: How many attempts did Gunjan Dwivedi take to clear the UPSC exam?
Gunjan cleared the UPSC exam on her third attempt after failing twice earlier.jagran+1
Q4: What was her UPSC optional subject?
Her optional subject was Political Science and International Relations (PSIR).chahalacademy
Q5: Has IAS Gunjan Dwivedi been involved in any controversies?
No, as of 2025, there are no known controversies involving her.thesecretariat+1
Q6: Which cadre does Gunjan Dwivedi belong to?
She belongs to the Uttar Pradesh cadre of the Indian Administrative Service.thesecretariat
Q7: What preparation tips does she share with UPSC aspirants?
She advises strengthening conceptual foundations through NCERT books, staying consistent with current affairs, and avoiding shortcuts or rote learning.jansatta+2
Q8: What motivates Gunjan Dwivedi?
Her family’s legacy of public service and her goal to bring positive change to governance and society keep her motivated.chahalacademy
Gunjan Dwivedi’s life is a remarkable tale of persistence, discipline, and purpose. From facing repeated rejection to ranking among India’s top administrative officers, her story continues to inspire generations of civil service aspirants and professionals alike.
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- https://chahalacademy.com/gunjan-dwivedi-air-09-cse-2018
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- https://www.timesnowhindi.com/photos/education/ias-gunjan-dwivedi-inspirational-story-who-failed-in-two-attempts-of-upsc-and-got-9th-rank-in-3rd-attempt-du-graduate-ias-gunjan-dwivedi-upsc-rank-photo-gallery-151350920
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