Daijiworld Media Network - Bihar
Bihar, Nov 30: Overcoming social resistance and economic limitations, Priya Rani from a small village in Bihar has charted an inspiring path to success, earning a coveted place in the Indian Administrative Service. She is currently serving as assistant collector in East Champaran.
A native of Kurkuri village in Phulwari Sharif, Priya faced opposition to her schooling from a very young age, with many in her community believing girls were not meant to study. Her father Abhay Kumar, a farmer, and her grandfather Surendra Prasad Sharma, however, stood firmly behind her ambitions.
To ensure she received quality education, her family shifted her to Patna. Priya completed her primary education at Don Bosco School and later studied at St Michael’s School, where she passed her class 12 examinations. She went on to pursue BTech in electrical engineering from BIT Mesra, graduating in 2018.
Priya secured a well-paying job in Bengaluru soon after completing her engineering degree, but her goal lay elsewhere. Driven by a desire to join the civil services, she left the job and began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination — a decision that was initially met with hesitation by her family.
Her persistence soon bore fruit. In 2021, she cleared the exam with an All India Rank of 284, securing a place in the Indian Defence Service. Determined to become an IAS officer, she continued her preparation and, in 2023, cracked the exam again — this time achieving an impressive All India Rank of 69.
Priya credits her achievement to the discipline she cultivated over the years. Her strict routine included waking up at 4 am daily to study, with a strong focus on economics. Standard preparation materials such as NCERT textbooks and daily newspapers formed the core of her learning.
From facing discrimination in her village to earning one of the most prestigious positions in Indian governance, Priya’s journey stands as a powerful reminder that determination and hard work can dismantle even the toughest barriers.