Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 26: Demonstrating remarkable determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Zinnia Aurora has secured All India Rank (AIR) 6 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, the results of which were declared in 2026.
Her achievement is particularly inspiring as it comes just a year after she secured AIR 156 in the UPSC CSE 2024 and joined the Indian Police Service (IPS). Rather than settling for her earlier success, Zinnia continued her preparation while in service and went on to achieve a top-10 national rank in her fourth attempt.
Zinnia chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject and adopted a strategy centred on continuous improvement. She focused on identifying and addressing gaps in answer writing, integrating current affairs into her preparation, studying standard NCERT textbooks, and strengthening her analytical thinking skills.
A graduate of St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science in 2022, Zinnia also completed a postgraduate diploma from IGNOU.
Her journey extends beyond academics. She co-founded a non-profit organisation, PeaceX, gained corporate experience with Unilever, and worked on policy-related initiatives with reputed organisations such as the World Bank, UNEP, and NITI Aayog. These diverse experiences helped shape her broader understanding of governance and public policy.
Hailing from a family of administrators in Rohtak, Haryana, and raised in New Delhi, Zinnia's parents are both retired government officials.
In the UPSC CSE 2025 examination, she secured a total of 1,037 marks, including 822 marks in the Mains examination and 215 marks in the Personality Test (Interview).
Reflecting her holistic approach to learning, Zinnia believed that success in the civil services examination requires more than studying textbooks. She drew valuable lessons from real-life experiences, including observing grassroots entrepreneurship and women’s cooperative organisations in rural areas. These experiences helped her develop a deeper understanding of society and governance.
Zinnia Aurora’s journey from securing AIR 156 and joining the IPS to achieving AIR 6 stands as a powerful example of perseverance, self-improvement, and the pursuit of excellence. Her story serves as an inspiration to UPSC aspirants across the country, proving that success belongs to those who continue striving even after achieving significant milestones.