IPS at 21, IAS at 22: Lost father at young age, mother worked as labourer by day and tailor by night – Divya Tanwar's inspiring UPSC journey

Divya Tanwar: IPS at 21, IAS at 22

In the quiet village of Nimbi in Haryana, a young girl's life changed forever when her father passed away in 2011. For most, this tragedy might have ended educational dreams, but for Divya Tanwar, it became the reason that would motivate her to become one of India's youngest civil servants, achieving the extraordinary achievement of clearing UPSC twice, first as an IPS officer at 21, then as an IAS officer at 22.

At the heart of this achievement is a mother who transformed hardship into resilience. After losing her husband and being left to care for four children alone, Babita Tanwar refused to be defeated by her situation. She toiled as a farm labourer during the day and worked as a tailor at night, sewing clothes to keep her children’s education alive. Her calloused hands and weary eyes carried one unshakable dream — that her daughter would accomplish what life had once tried to take away.

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Divya, who studied in government schools and later at Navodaya Vidyalaya, deeply recognized her mother’s sacrifices. Instead of enrolling in costly coaching centres like many others, she relied on free online materials and mock tests — a choice driven by necessity that ultimately became her greatest advantage.

In 2021, her first attempt yielded an AIR 438 and the IPS uniform at just 21. But Divya's eyes were set on a higher goal. Undeterred by initial success, she prepared again, improving her score from 930 to 994 marks and securing AIR 105 in 2022, finally achieving her IAS dream.

Now serving in the Manipur cadre, IAS Divya Tanwar's journey is more than an examination success story. It's a testament to a mother's belief and a daughter's relentless determination. It proves that poverty isn't a barrier to dreams, and that sometimes, the most powerful coaching comes not from expensive institutes, but from the silent lessons of a mother's sacrifice.

Her story continues to inspire thousands of aspirants across India, particularly young women from rural backgrounds, showing them that with self-belief and hard work, no dream is too big and no obstacle too great.