Breaking Engagement at 15 to Cracking UPSC: Story of Anjali Sondhiya who chose IFS over marriage

Story of IFS Anjali Sondhiya

In the quiet village of Chanderpura in Madhya Pradesh, life often follows a set path. For Anjali Sondhiya, a young girl from a farming family, that path seemed decided when she was just 15. Following old customs, her family arranged her engagement. To many, her story could have ended there—a young bride, her dreams fading into the backdrop of village life.

But Anjali’s heart held a different dream, one planted by her father, Suresh. He had seen a spark in his daughter and often spoke of her future as an officer. His sudden passing could have dimmed that spark, but it only made it burn brighter in Anjali’s heart. She made a silent promise—to fulfill his belief in her.

A turn came when her mother, recognizing her daughter’s resolve, took a brave step. She broke off the engagement and stood firmly by Anjali’s side. “Study,” she said. With that support, Anjali’s journey truly began.

Her goal was the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, one of India’s toughest. With no money for coaching classes, her tools were simple: old NCERT books borrowed from here and there, and the scattered online resources she could access. Failure was a teacher she met often; she could not clear the preliminary exam in her first three attempts. Each "no" could have been a full stop. For Anjali, it was only a comma.

She refined her strategy, focusing on discipline over chaos. She pored over basic textbooks, solved past question papers until her fingers ached, and took mock tests to strengthen her mind. Her formula was not secret or magic—it was built on consistency, relentless hard work, and an unshakable belief in herself.

In her fourth attempt, her dedication bore historic fruit. Not only did she clear the exam, but she also secured an All India Rank of 9 in the UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) examination of 2024. From a teenager whose future was almost decided by an engagement, she became a top-ranking officer of the nation.

Anjali Sondhiya’s story is not just about cracking an exam. It shows that a supportive hand—like her mother’s—can change a destiny. And it proves that with patience, perseverance, and self-confidence, even the tallest barriers of society and circumstance can be overcome.