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UPSC results 2022: For this 25-year-old, failure wasn’t an option — she ‘saw no other career path’

In previous years, Sharma had followed the “formula” everyone in her coaching classes in Delhi swore by: she had stayed off social media, reduced her interaction with family and friends, and barely attended any social event.

upsc results, upsc topper, upsc 2022 topper, upsc cse topper 2022, upsc 2022 cse topper, UPSC results news, UPSC exam results, education news, Indian expressGraduated in computer science from a college in Jabalpur, MP
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Her first two attempts to crack the UPSC exams not succeeding, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) resident Swati Sharma followed a strategy this time that did not follow the strategy of others — including her own formula in the two previous years: she led a “normal” life, as against closing the world around to prepare for her third attempt.

UPSC Results 2022 | History made, highest number of women set to enter Indian civil services

In previous years, Sharma had followed the “formula” everyone in her coaching classes in Delhi swore by: she had stayed off social media, reduced her interaction with family and friends, and barely attended any social event.

Not this time.

“When I stopped interacting with people (in previous years), I used to get really depressed, which affected my studies,” the 25-year-old told The Indian Express. “I thought if I want to become an IAS officer I cannot live in a cocoon. I need to be connected to society. So I led a balanced life this time — I met family and friends, used social media, and interacted with people outside of my life of preparations. That made all the difference.”

Curated For You

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

 

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