Vandana Rao had topped the India’s toughest examination by clinching All India Rank fourth in UPSC Exam and is also the topper of the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.
All top 4 ranks of India’s most prestigious UPSC examination have been secured by female candidates in the year 2015. 1st rank goes to the physically handicapped girl Ira Singhal, 2nd rank goes to Renu Raj, 3rd position was occupied by Nidhi Gupta and fourth place goes to Vandana Rao.
Vandana says “she wanted to be an IAS officer as it gives us ample scope to do something worthwhile for the country”. Vandana gives a big salute to every Indian women for “showing there excellence in every field. She says we need to ignore anyone who tries to discourage us.”
Marks Obtained by Vandana Rao
| Total Marks | Marks Obtained | |
| Total (Written) | 1750 | 832 |
| Interview | 275 | 187 |
| Total | 2025 | 1019 (50.32%) |
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Family Background
Vandana Rao belongs from a middle class family background. She hails from Kangan Heri village in Najafgarh area of southwest Delhi . Vandana’s father Hari Prasad Yadav is an assistant sub-inspector and works in the Delhi Police Headquarters. Her mother is a house maker. She has one elder brother and he is a teacher. Her brother always supported her and got all the material and books she needed.
Vandana Rao who ranked fourth in the year 2015 UPSC Exam says, “These two men were her constant inspiration and support to get into the Indian Administrative Services. She was always encouraged by her father and brother to realise her potential”.
Her father says, “we belong from a farming background. Vandana has achieved something special which none in our village could ever achieve.” He said he couldn’t study further and because of his own struggle in his life motivated him to provide proper education to his children, who joined Delhi police after completing his secondary education and was selected as the constable.
Educational Background
Vandana Rao joined the engineering discipline in the year 2008 and got graduated from Kurukshetra University in the year 2012. She worked with Multi National Company for three years after her graduation. And after three years she stands out as AIR 4 in UPSC Exam 2015 with flying colours.
She says that “engineering was her own choice of career and she dreamt of working for the top MNCs.”
Also Read: Read UPSC Board Interview of Abhiram G Sankar IAS, Rank-4
Attempts
Vandana Rao secured delighting rank in her third serious attempt. Although her strong determination and outstanding preparation towards the Civil Services Exam made her to speculate selection while she was shocked enough to see herself in the top AIR 10 rankers list.
Advice to future Aspirants
- If you want to succeed, be sincere and listen to the advice of elders around. They speak from experience, which the youth tend to dismiss.
- There are no shortcuts for clearing the exam. One can utilize the Internet for everything.
- One must persistently aim for success.
- There is no alternative to hard work if you want to succeed.
- Read regular newspaper.
- Do not waste energy in joining coaching institutes.
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