Don't like losing: Aastha

Two Tricity girls secured a place in the top 100 of the civil services examination conducted by the UPSC, bringing laurels for the Mohali-Panchkula-Chandigarh region. While Aastha Singh (21) from Panchkula secured the 61st All India Rank, Riya Sethi (27) from Sector 72, Mohali, grabbed the 89th rank.
Singh completed her schooling from CL DAV Public School, Sector 11, Panchkula, and went on to pursue BA (Hons) in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC).
Later, she cleared the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) exam in 2024, securing the 31st rank and is now training to be an Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer.
'I don't know how I ended up here. It is a dream come true. I attempted the state exams in 2024 to get practice for the UPSC and cleared HPSC, and now the civil services exam in the first attempt,' she said.
'I did not take any coaching, and did self-study from my home for General Studies, and as Economics is a tough subject, I took the help of recorded lectures. I didn't get too much time to study for the mains of UPSC, as I was training, but during peak preparation time, I would put in about 10 to 12 hours of work a day.'
The 27-year-old further said that she did not disconnect from social media completely, but maintained a balance.
'I just don't like losing, and as academics is my area, there was an inbuilt motivation. I have been consistent in my preparation and have not slacked in two years. What also made it all possible was the unconditional support and positive manifestations from my family and friends, who would boost my confidence and motivate me to be on track,' shared Singh, who is originally from Uttar Pradesh (UP), but is now based in Panchkula.
Her father, Brijesh Singh, works in a private pharmaceutical company, and mother, Shalini Singh, is a homemaker. Elder sister, Aanchal, works in an IT company.
Singh said that her grandfather, when she was about six years old, would say that she would become a collector one day, so that thought was always at the back of her mind. 'But when I grew up, I truly realised that I had the aptitude for bureaucracy and knew that this was my calling. So, from my first day in college till I graduated in 2023, this was my goal. I am the first IAS officer in my family, and like many families, it is a dream come true for mine,' she added.
'Many aspects in India need attention, and I want to play a role in addressing them. I want to focus on holistic and skills development, women's empowerment, and make a change in the lives of people, however small. I want to make a difference,' smiled Aastha, who loves reading and singing.

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