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

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.