Introduction
Who is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh? Srushti is an IAS officer who secured AIR 5 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018, and became the top female candidate of her batch. She secured All India 5th position and first position in the female category in the UPSC CSE exam, being the topper among 182 women candidates who cracked the prestigious examination that year.
Why is she a prominent figure? She symbolizes the power of focused self-study, women’s empowerment, and what sheer discipline can achieve—even without elite resources.
“With no IIT or IIM tag, no urban privilege, and no background in political science, Srushti cracked UPSC through discipline, sincerity, and belief in herself.”
📘 Srushti Jayant Deshmukh – Biography (Table Format)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Srushti Jayant Deshmukh |
| Date of Birth | 28 March 1996 |
| Birthplace / Hometown | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 years |
| Schooling | Carmel Convent School, BHEL, Bhopal |
| College | Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT), Bhopal |
| Degree | B.Tech in Chemical Engineering |
| UPSC Attempt | First |
| UPSC Year Cleared | 2018 |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 5 (Top Female Candidate of 2018) |
| Optional Subject | Sociology |
| Coaching | No full-time coaching; relied on self-study and online resources |
| UPSC Age at Clearance | 23 years old |
| Cadre | Madhya Pradesh Cadre |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 2019 Batch |
| First Posting | Dindori District, Madhya Pradesh (as SDM) |
| Other Postings | Niwari, Gadarwara, and other districts in Madhya Pradesh (as per updates) |
| Current Status (as of 2025) | Serving IAS officer in MP cadre (specific posting can vary) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | IAS Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda (2022 marriage) |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English |
| Interests & Hobbies | Yoga, meditation, music, social work |
| Books Authored | “The Answer Writing Manual” (focuses on UPSC prep strategy) |
| Known For | First-attempt UPSC success, women empowerment, disciplined study strategy, public administration |
| Public Image | Role model for aspirants from engineering backgrounds, small towns, and women across India |
Early Life and Education
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh date of birth is 28 March 1996, born in Kasturba Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Her hometown is Bhopal, where she completed her schooling at Carmel Convent School, BHEL, Bhopal.
Educational Journey
| Education Level | Institution | Details |
|---|---|---|
| School | Carmel Convent School, BHEL, Bhopal | Academic excellence with extracurriculars |
| College | Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT), Bhopal | B.Tech in Chemical Engineering |
| 10th Standard | Srushti Jayant Deshmukh 10th percentage – Excellent performance | Strong foundation |
| 12th Standard | Srushti Jayant Deshmukh 12th percentage – Outstanding marks | Science stream |
Making it Inspirational: Srushti initially aimed to get into IIT, but studied Chemical Engineering at Lakshmi Narain College of Technology in Bhopal after not clearing the IIT entrance exam. She was an academically bright student with a strong interest in extracurriculars like NCC, music, and yoga. Despite having an engineering background, she set her sights on civil services early during her college days.
UPSC Journey: From Engineer to IAS
UPSC Success Story
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018 |
| Rank | AIR 5 (Top Female Candidate) |
| Srushti Jayant Deshmukh age when cleared | 23 years |
| Srushti Jayant Deshmukh optional subject | Sociology |
| No. of Attempts | 1st attempt |
| Coaching | Self-study + online resources (part-time coaching for GS) |
| Study Hours | 6–8 hours/day, more during peak preparation |
UPSC Preparation Tips From Srushti:
- Make a realistic, structured timetable
- Focus more on quality than quantity
- Limit sources; revise often
- Mock tests are crucial
- Stay mentally healthy
- Reading newspapers daily and watching Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) helped her a lot in preparation for UPSC
Motivational Element: “You don’t need to be from a metro city or a top college. All you need is a burning desire, a plan, and the grit to stick to it.”
Life as an IAS Officer: Impact & Initiatives
Career Timeline
| Position | Location | Year | Key Initiatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training | Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) | 2019-2020 | Foundation training |
| First Posting | Dindori District | 2020-2021 | Community engagement |
| SDO (Revenue) | Gadarwara, Narsinghpur | 2021-2023 | Administrative reforms |
| Current Posting | Srushti Jayant Deshmukh current posting – CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Burhanpur | 2023-Present | Rural development |
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh posting details:
- Cadre: Madhya Pradesh
- At present, Srushti is posted as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
- She was transferred from SDO (Revenue), Gadarwara, Narsinghpur, to CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Burhanpur, MP
Known for:
- Community engagement and grassroots development
- Promoting women’s health and education
- Digital awareness initiatives
- Clean environment campaigns
- Rural infrastructure development
Real-Life Examples:
- Promoted eco-friendly practices during public festivals
- Launched awareness drives in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh
- Active during COVID-19 awareness and relief programs
- Implemented digital governance initiatives in rural areas
Personal Life: Quiet Strength
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh husband is Dr. Arjun Gowda, an IAS officer from Karnataka cadre. They got married in 2021. She maintains a low-profile personal life, focused on service while balancing professional responsibilities with personal growth.
Inspiration Angle: Srushti’s ability to remain humble and focused, despite sudden fame, is a lesson in grounded ambition. Her marriage to a fellow IAS officer shows how two public servants can support each other’s careers while serving the nation.
Public Image & Media Presence
Digital Presence
- Srushti Jayant Deshmukh Instagram: @srushtideshmukhias with 2M Followers, 1,291 Following, 132 Posts
- Official website: srushtideshmukhblog.com
- Active on professional networking platforms
- Regular participation in webinars and educational content
Media Recognition
- A strong role model for rural youth, especially women
- Popular on YouTube channels, webinars, and Srushti Jayant Deshmukh interview sessions
- Her mock interview videos and UPSC tips have gone viral
- Featured in The Hindu, Indian Express, DNA India, and other major platforms
- Meet India’s most popular IAS officer on social media who cleared UPSC in first attempt
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh books and Publications:
“The Manual on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude” – an end-to-end solution for Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for GS-IV of UPSC CSE and other State Civil service examinations. The book contains 50 fresh and unique case studies arranged topic-wise.
Quotes & Soundbites: “Failures are nothing but stepping stones. What matters is how we rise after each fall.” “There is no shortcut in UPSC—only clarity and consistency.”
What Makes Srushti Deshmukh an Inspiration
✅ Broke the engineering-to-UPSC stereotype ✅ First attempt success through discipline ✅ Low-resource preparation strategy ✅ Advocated for women’s empowerment in rural India ✅ Lives the values she once prepared to write about
“Believe in yourself when no one else does. That’s when success begins.” – Srushti Deshmukh
Academic Performance and Achievements
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh marksheet highlights:
While specific mark details are not publicly available, her consistent academic excellence from school through UPSC reflects her dedication to learning. Her AIR 5 ranking in UPSC 2018 speaks volumes about her preparation quality and knowledge depth.
Recognition and Awards:
- All India Rank 5, UPSC CSE 2018
- Top female candidate in UPSC 2018 batch
- Youngest IAS officers of her batch at 23 years
- Social media influencer with millions of followers
- Author of successful UPSC preparation books
Latest Updates (2024–2025)
Based on recent information:
- Currently serving as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh
- Empowering Communities through her role as CEO Zila Panchayat in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh
- Active in rural development and digital governance initiatives
- Continues to mentor UPSC aspirants through online platforms
- Regular speaker at educational institutions and government programs
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh wikipedia and Online Presence:
While she doesn’t have an official Wikipedia page, her digital footprint is substantial with official government profiles, social media presence, and educational content platforms.
Conclusion: A Torchbearer for Young India
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh biography redefines what it takes to crack UPSC—not privilege, not perfection, but persistence. Her story is one of turning ordinary circumstances into an extraordinary outcome.
She’s not just a topper—she’s a trailblazer for every young girl dreaming big from a small town. Her journey from a Chemical Engineering student in Bhopal to becoming one of India’s most respected IAS officers proves that with the right mindset, dedication, and strategic preparation, anyone can achieve their dreams.
Top 5 Lessons from Srushti Deshmukh’s Journey
- Quality over Quantity: Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than covering everything superficially
- Consistency is Key: Regular study habits matter more than intensive cramming sessions
- Self-Study Works: You don’t need expensive coaching if you have the right resources and discipline
- Stay Current: Regular newspaper reading and current affairs are crucial for success
- Believe in Yourself: Confidence and self-belief are as important as academic preparation
Her Daily Routine During UPSC Prep
- 6:00 AM – Early morning study session (2-3 hours)
- 9:00 AM – Newspaper reading and current affairs
- 11:00 AM – Subject-wise focused study
- 2:00 PM – Lunch and relaxation
- 3:00 PM – Afternoon study session
- 6:00 PM – Mock tests and practice questions
- 8:00 PM – Revision and note-making
- 10:00 PM – Light reading and preparation for next day
UPSC Myths Busted by Srushti
❌ Myth: You need coaching to clear UPSC ✅ Reality: Self-study with right resources is equally effective
❌ Myth: Only humanities students can crack UPSC ✅ Reality: Engineering background can be an advantage
❌ Myth: You need multiple attempts ✅ Reality: First attempt success is possible with proper preparation
❌ Myth: Metro city advantage is essential ✅ Reality: Small town students can excel with dedication
Read More : Shakti Dubey Upsc Topper
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh posted?
A: At present, Srushti is posted as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh.
Q: What was Srushti Jayant Deshmukh age when she cleared UPSC?
A: She was 23 years old when she cleared UPSC in 2018.
Q: Who is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh?
A: She is an IAS officer who secured AIR 5 in UPSC CSE 2018, becoming the top female candidate of her batch.
Q: Did Srushti Jayant Deshmukh take coaching?
A: She primarily relied on self-study with some part-time coaching for General Studies, proving that expensive coaching isn’t mandatory.
Q: In which district is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh posted?
A: She is currently posted in Burhanpur district, Madhya Pradesh as CEO of Zilla Panchayat.
Q: In which attempt did Srushti Jayant Deshmukh clear UPSC?
A: She cleared UPSC in her first attempt in 2018.
Q: At what age did Srushti Jayant Deshmukh clear UPSC?
A: She cleared UPSC at the age of 23 years in 2018.
Nishant Kumar is the founder and lead content creator at OfficersDetails.com, a platform dedicated to delivering accurate, verified information about officers in government, corporate, and legal sectors. With a strong background in public administration and data research, Nishant is passionate about transparency, governance, and simplifying access to essential leadership profiles.