Daijiworld Media Network – Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Oct 3: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the results of the Civil Services Examination 2024, with Ahmedabad’s Shah Margi Chirag securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 4. A computer engineering graduate, Margi’s five-year preparation journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and commitment to public service.
Academic and personal background
Margi completed her schooling at St Xavier’s High School, Gandhinagar, scoring over 90 percent in both Class 10 and 12. She graduated in computer engineering from L D College of Engineering in 2020 with a CGPA of 9.21.
Her father, an engineer, passed away in 2017. Since then, her mother, a teacher, and younger brother have been her main source of strength and support.
UPSC journey
Margi appeared for the UPSC exam five times before achieving success. Earlier, she had cleared the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) exam with Rank 55, serving as a State Tax Officer. Despite the achievement, her goal remained the Indian Administrative Service.
She chose Sociology as her optional subject, saying it allowed her to connect theory with real social issues. Over the years, she refined her strategy, improved her answer-writing skills, and adapted her approach with every attempt.
Preparation strategy
Her preparation combined self-study with test series from reputed coaching institutes. She relied on NCERTs, standard reference books, and regular mock tests. For the interview, she took guidance from multiple institutes and focused on communication and confidence-building.
Margi also emphasised maintaining balance. Alongside studies, she pursued hobbies such as reading literature, learning Spanish, and listening to music, which helped her manage stress.
Message to aspirants
“Persistence is key. Every attempt taught me something new. With discipline and the right strategy, success is achievable,” she said after the results.
Women shine in UPSC 2024
Margi’s success is part of a wider trend, with three of the top five ranks this year secured by women. Observers say this reflects a growing presence of women in India’s top administrative services.
With her achievement, Margi now looks forward to a career in governance and public service, aiming to bring the same clarity and determination to her role as she did to her preparation.