Astha Jain, a graduate of Miranda House, has achieved an All India Rank-9 in the 2025 UPSC Civil Service Exam in her third attempt. She belongs to Kandhla, which is located in the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. Her achievement of securing AIR-131 in 2023 & AIR-9 in 2025 is an outcome of her consistent effort of reading, revising & writing.

Astha Jain was born into a family where her father runs a grocery shop but achieved success through her self-discipline and focused approach.

• Born in Kandhla town in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, Astha developed an appreciation for the value of education despite her family’s financial conditions.
• Her father, Ajay Jain, operates a small business running a grocery shop, while her mother, Mamta Jain, manages the household.
• Astha finished her schooling at Scottish International School, Shamli, completing Class-X and XII.
• She pursued B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Miranda House, Delhi University, graduating in 2022.
• She actively participated in discussions on governance and held leadership roles during college.
• UPSC Preparation Journey: Secured AIR 131 in CSE 2023, secured AIR 186 in CSE 2024, and finally got AIR 9 in CSE 2025.
• She maintained self-study, a personal discipline chart of do’s and don’ts, discipline despite her formal IPS training.
• She found her inspiration in serving society and managed her responsibilities while preparing for the exam.

• Astha's background in college helped her develop skills in polity & economics, which in turn helped her in General Studies (GS) and optional subjects.
• Her educational background details are mentioned below.

• As the topper of CSE 2025, Astha focused on self-study with scarce sources, identifying her strengths and weaknesses with the help of her personal chart.
• She followed an intensive practice of answer writing, regular revision, and making connections with current affairs despite the demanding schedule of IPS training.

Prelims Strategy of Astha

• Astha developed conceptual clarity through NCERTs or standard textbooks, studied PYQs to understand exam pattern, and completed sectional or mock tests to refine accuracy.
• She ensured sufficient CSAT preparation to clear the qualifying cut-off.
• Focused revision on high-yield areas such as polity & economy based on her background.

Mains Strategy of Astha

• Used structured writing with introduction, body, conclusion with relevant diagrams.
• Covering multiple dimensions and writing regularly to develop speed or pace for the real exam.
• Self-prepared notes with Current Affairs (The Hindu & PIB).
• The test series were helpful to maintain General Studies (GS) content.

Interview Strategy of Astha

• Joined Interview mocks, personality development, and issues were part of it.
• Prepared thoroughly on DAF particularly on the region from where she belongs, college graduation subject & optional subject.
• Her genuine responses in the Interview on several vital issues fetched 198 marks.

• UPSC released the marks of selected candidates on March 10, 2026.
• Astha scored 835 in Mains (written) and 198 in Interview or personality test, totaling 1033 for AIR 9.

• Personal dos and don’ts chart for discipline.
• Conceptual knowledge over rote.
• Limited standard sources & revise them 3-4 times.
• Mains answers practice daily from early.
• Analyze PYQs & mocks for weak areas.
• Current Affairs integrated in the static part of the syllabus with self-notes.
• Balance self-study with test series feedback.
• Identify strengths (e.g., polity from graduation/degree).
• Consistency is key in difficult times.
• Deeply study your DAF for an interview.

How many attempts did Astha Jain take for AIR-9?

Astha secured AIR-9 in her third attempt. Earlier, She secured AIR 131 in CSE 2023 (IPS allocation) & AIR 186 in 2024.

What is Astha's educational qualification?

She is B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Miranda House, Delhi University.

Where is Astha from and what was her family background?

She belongs to Kandhla in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. Her father Ajay Jain is a grocery shop owner and her mother Mamta Jain is a homemaker.

What was the previous service allocation of Astha Jain?

She underwent as an IPS trainee after CSE 2023 & attempted to strike a balance between UPSC and IPS training.

Which program did Astha use for Interview preparation?

She had given Interview mocks and DAF analysis & scored 198 marks in Personality Test.