Once Mocked For Her English, Now An IAS Officer Who Topped 8 Major Exams, Including ISRO & UPSC – News18

Last Updated:March 13, 2025, 13:07 IST

Surabhi Gautam overcame ridicule for her English to become an IAS officer, topping eight major exams including UPSC, ISRO, and BARC.

The road to success is not without its challenges. Language barriers, especially in a world that places high importance on English proficiency, can often seem like a major hurdle.

But for some, these challenges become the very fuel that drives them to achieve greatness. This is the story of a young woman from a small village in Madhya Pradesh, who, despite facing ridicule for her English, transformed her life and emerged as one of India’s most accomplished individuals.

Surabhi Gautam who was once mocked for her struggles with English, is now an IAS officer. And being an IAS officer is just one of her achievements as she has secured top ranks in eight major exams, including UPSC, ISRO, and BARC. Her journey from being an underconfident student to a civil services officer is a testament to the power of resilience and determination.

A Humble Beginning, A Determined Spirit

Surabhi grew up in the village of Satna, where formal coaching was not easily accessible. Nonetheless, she excelled in her studies and consistently topped her class. Surabhi was the first girl from her village to move to the city for higher education. She completed her 10th and 12th board exams with over 90% marks, all through self-study and the support of her school teachers.

Her parents, a lawyer and a teacher, taught her the value of hard work and the importance of education, which helped shape her future success.

The College Struggle

The real challenge came when Surabhi joined Bhopal Engineering College to pursue a BTech in Electronics and Communications. Although she had been an exceptional student in school, her Hindi-medium background made it difficult for her to communicate fluently in English. On her very first day, Surabhi was ridiculed by her classmates for struggling to introduce herself in English, an experience that left her feeling embarrassed and self-conscious.

Things took a further blow when, during a physics class, she was asked a question in English. Unable to comprehend it fully, she gave the wrong answer, and the teacher questioned how she had passed her board exams. Surabhi was shaken and, for a moment, considered quitting and returning home.

The Turning Point

However, it was her mother’s words that made all the difference: “If you leave now, you will not only let go of your dreams but also disappoint every girl in this village who looks up to you.” Inspired by this powerful reminder of the impact her success could have, Surabhi decided to stay and fight back against her doubts.

She began working tirelessly to improve her English, reading engineering books, and learning new words every day. Her commitment paid off as her confidence grew, and soon, she was excelling in her studies. Surabhi topped her first semester exams at university, overcoming the language barrier that once seemed insurmountable.

From Struggling Student To Top Scorer

Surabhi’s success didn’t end with her college exams. She went on to top the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam in 2013, and in 2016, she earned a remarkable 50th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, becoming an IAS officer. Surabhi also excelled in other prestigious exams, including ISRO and BARC, proving her brilliance across diverse fields.

An Unstoppable Force

From a village girl mocked for her English to an IAS officer with top ranks in multiple competitive exams, Surabhi Gautam’s story serves as an inspiration to countless young aspirants. Her unwavering dedication to her goals, despite the odds, proves that with hard work, resilience, and the courage to overcome obstacles, success is within reach for anyone.