When you think about young achievers in India’s civil services, one name that shines bright is Neha Byadwal. This remarkable woman cracked one of the toughest exams in the country at just 24 years old, becoming an inspiration for thousands of UPSC aspirants across India. But her journey wasn’t a cakewalk – it was filled with failures, sacrifices, and an unwavering commitment to her dreams.
Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about IAS Neha Byadwal, from her early life struggles to her incredible success story.
Quick Overview: Neha Byadwal at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Neha Byadwal |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1999 |
| Age | 25 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Jaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Profession | IAS Officer (Indian Administrative Service) |
| Batch | 2022 Batch |
| Cadre | Gujarat Cadre |
| UPSC Rank | All India Rank 569 (UPSC CSE 2023) |
| Current Posting | Joint Magistrate, Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh |
| Educational Qualification | B.A. in History, Geography, and Economics from DB Girls College, Raipur |
| Optional Subject | Geography |
| Total UPSC Score | 960 marks (809 in Mains, 151 in Interview) |
Who is Neha Byadwal?
Neha Byadwal is a young IAS officer who secured All India Rank 569 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. She’s currently serving as Joint Magistrate in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh, after being allocated to the Gujarat cadre.
What makes her story particularly inspiring? She failed the UPSC exam three times before finally succeeding in her fourth attempt. During her preparation, she took a bold step—staying away from her mobile phone and social media for nearly three years. This incredible discipline and focus earned her widespread media attention and the nickname “beauty with brains.”
Early Life and Family Background
Birthplace and Childhood
Neha was born on July 23, 1999, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, but grew up in Chhattisgarh due to her father’s transferable job as a senior Income Tax officer. Her childhood was marked by frequent relocations, which exposed her to different cultures and school environments across India.
Family Details
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father’s Name | Shravan Kumar |
| Father’s Profession | Senior Income Tax Officer |
| Mother’s Name | Rajni Devi |
| Mother’s Profession | Homemaker |
| Elder Sister | Nisha Byadwal (IES Officer – Indian Engineering Service) |
| Siblings | 4 siblings |
| Extended Family | Joint family of 31 members with 12 cousins |
Neha belongs to a joint family of 31 people in one house that values education and public service. This large family setup played a crucial role in shaping her values and work ethic. Interestingly, many of her cousins are also preparing for government exams, creating a highly competitive yet supportive environment.
Her father, Shravan Kumar, has been her biggest support system. Neha mentioned that her father is the biggest support system for her and all her cousins while preparing for the civil services exams. Her elder sister Nisha’s success as an IES officer also motivated Neha to pursue civil services.
Educational Journey
Schooling Years
Neha’s education journey was anything but smooth. Due to her father’s transferable job, she attended multiple schools:
- Kidzee High School, Bhopal
- Delhi Public School (DPS), Korba
- Delhi Public School (DPS), Bilaspur
Here’s a surprising fact: Despite early academic struggles and failing in Class 5, she remained determined. This early setback didn’t define her; instead, it fueled her determination to prove herself.
College Education
| Degree | Institution | Subjects | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | DB Girls College, Raipur | History, Geography, Economics | University Topper |
Neha excelled in her undergraduate studies, topping her university—a far cry from the struggles she faced in her early school years. Her strong foundation in Geography during college later influenced her choice of optional subject for UPSC.
The UPSC Journey: From Failure to Success
SSC Success Before UPSC
Before even attempting UPSC, when her cousins were preparing for their SSC exams, she also started preparing with them and successfully cleared the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams three times. However, she never joined any government job because her ultimate dream was to become an IAS officer.
Attempt-by-Attempt Breakdown
| Attempt | Year | Result | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Attempt | 2020 | Failed | Realized lack of effort and digital distractions |
| 2nd Attempt | 2021 | Failed | Couldn’t clear Prelims |
| 3rd Attempt | 2022 | Failed | Couldn’t clear Mains |
| 4th Attempt | 2023 | Success | AIR 569 – Total 960 marks |
The Game-Changing Decision
After her first failure, Neha made a decision that would change everything. She realized that her use of social media and mobile phones was distracting her from studying effectively. As a result, she decided to avoid them during her nearly three-year preparation for the UPSC exams.
This wasn’t just about deleting apps—she physically stayed away from her smartphone for almost three years. In today’s hyper-connected world, where even a few hours without phones feels impossible for most people, Neha’s discipline stands out as truly exceptional.
UPSC Preparation Strategy
Study Routine and Approach
She followed a strict routine, studying 17–18 hours daily, avoiding mobile phones and social media completely for three years. Her preparation wasn’t about attending expensive coaching classes; instead, she relied heavily on self-study after initially taking coaching in Delhi.
Optional Subject Choice
Neha chose Geography as her optional subject, which proved to be a strategic decision. Her undergraduate degree in Geography gave her a strong foundation, and she used standard materials recommended for UPSC aspirants.
She relied on standard materials like G.C. Leong’s Physical Geography and Majid Husain’s Geography of India, focused heavily on answer writing practice, mock tests, and current affairs.
Key Preparation Pillars
| Strategy Element | What Neha Did |
|---|---|
| Self-Study | Moved back from Delhi to Raipur for focused preparation |
| Mock Tests | Regular practice and performance analysis |
| Answer Writing | Heavy focus on writing practice |
| Current Affairs | Special attention to environment and sustainable development |
| Family Support | Father helped with Math and History; family conducted mock interviews |
Career and Current Posting
Allocation and Training
| Career Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| UPSC Result Year | 2023 |
| Batch | 2022 Batch IAS |
| Cadre Allotted | Gujarat Cadre |
| Initial Posting | Supernumerary Assistant Collector, Bharuch, Gujarat (August 2024) |
| Current Posting | Joint Magistrate, Jalaun District, Uttar Pradesh (as of 2025) |
Role and Responsibilities
As of 2025, Neha Byadwal is serving as Joint Magistrate in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh. In this role, she assists in district administration, coordinates with departments, and works on grassroots development, focusing on education, health, and rural upliftment.
Her work involves handling administrative responsibilities such as:
- District development programs
- Public grievance redressal
- Coordination of welfare schemes
- Grassroots level governance
Physical Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Complexion | Fair |
While specific measurements like height aren’t officially documented, Neha is also known for her style and outfits. She is often seen wearing sarees and shares these pictures on social media. She has become popular on social media not just for her achievements but also for her elegant and simple fashion sense, particularly in traditional Indian attire.
Personal Life and Relationship Status
Boyfriend and Dating
As of now, there is no public information available about Neha Byadwal’s boyfriend or relationship status. She has maintained her personal life extremely private, focusing primarily on her career and public service duties.
Throughout her UPSC preparation and even after becoming an IAS officer, Neha has chosen to keep her romantic life away from the public eye. This privacy is completely understandable given her young age and the demanding nature of civil services.
Personal Interests and Lifestyle
Neha leads a disciplined and balanced lifestyle. Her social media presence reflects her professional achievements and motivational messages for UPSC aspirants rather than personal details.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| @nehabyadwal | |
| Followers | Over 131,000 followers (as of 2025) |
| Content Type | Motivational posts, UPSC tips, traditional outfit pictures |
Despite being low-profile during her preparation, Neha Byadwal now maintains an online presence to share her journey and inspire aspirants. Her Instagram account features posts about her journey, pictures in sarees, and motivational messages for civil service aspirants.
Achievements and Recognition
Notable Accomplishments
- Youngest IAS Officers: Recognized as one of India’s youngest IAS officers, clearing the exam at age 24
- University Topper: Topped DB Girls College, Raipur in her undergraduate degree
- SSC Success: Cleared SSC exams three times before focusing on UPSC
- Media Recognition: Featured in multiple national publications for her inspiring story
- Role Model: Became an inspiration for thousands of UPSC aspirants, especially young women
What Makes Her Story Special?
- Resilience: Failed three times but never gave up
- Discipline: Stayed away from mobile phones for three years
- Self-Awareness: Identified her weaknesses and worked on them
- Family Values: First in her generation to clear civil services despite having 12 cousins preparing
- Balanced Approach: Emphasized equal importance to Prelims, Mains, and Interview
Lessons from Neha Byadwal’s Journey
For UPSC Aspirants
Neha emphasizes the importance of being honest with oneself. She admits that in her first attempt, she did not put in the required effort. This self-awareness became the foundation of her success strategy.
Key Takeaways
| Lesson | Application |
|---|---|
| Digital Detox | Remove distractions during serious preparation |
| Self-Assessment | Honestly evaluate your performance after each attempt |
| Balanced Focus | Give equal importance to all stages of the exam |
| Family Support | Don’t isolate yourself completely; involve family in preparation |
| Persistence | Multiple failures don’t mean you can’t succeed |
Her Message to Youth
Neha’s motivational message emphasizes time management, hard work, and perseverance, and she aims to inspire other young women to join civil services. She strongly believes that the real sacrifice is made by parents, not just aspirants, which shows her humility and gratitude.
Public Image and Media Coverage
“Beauty with Brains”
The media has extensively covered Neha’s story with headlines like “Beauty with Brains” and “Perfect Example of Beauty with Intelligence.” In the era of digital distraction, Neha’s passion to make her place in civil service clearly stated her love for the same.
Viral Moments
Her story went viral for several reasons:
- The three-year mobile phone abstinence
- Multiple UPSC attempts before success
- Her elegant pictures in traditional sarees
- Young age at which she cleared the exam
- Inspiring family background and support system
Publications like DNA India, Times of India, and several regional newspapers have featured her journey, making her a household name among UPSC aspirants.
Controversies and Clarifications
As of 2025, there are no documented controversies involving Neha Byadwal. Her public image remains positive, centered around her achievements and motivational story. She has maintained professionalism throughout her journey and continues to focus on her administrative duties.
It’s worth noting that sometimes media reports have confused different IAS officers, but Neha Byadwal has not been linked to any negative incidents or controversies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neha Byadwal’s age?
Neha Byadwal is 25 years old as of 2025, born on July 23, 1999.
What rank did Neha Byadwal secure in UPSC?
She secured All India Rank 569 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023.
In which attempt did Neha Byadwal clear UPSC?
She cleared UPSC in her fourth attempt in 2023, after failing three times.
What was Neha Byadwal’s optional subject?
Geography was her optional subject for UPSC Mains.
Which cadre is Neha Byadwal allotted?
She was allotted Gujarat cadre in the 2022 batch.
Where is Neha Byadwal currently posted?
She is currently serving as Joint Magistrate in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh.
Did Neha Byadwal really stay away from her phone for 3 years?
Yes, she voluntarily stayed away from mobile phones and social media for nearly three years during her UPSC preparation.
What is Neha Byadwal’s educational qualification?
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Geography, and Economics from DB Girls College, Raipur, where she was a university topper.
Who is Neha Byadwal’s father?
Her father is Shravan Kumar, a senior Income Tax Officer.
Is Neha Byadwal married or dating anyone?
There is no public information available about her relationship status. She has kept her personal life private.
Conclusion: An Inspiration for Millions
Neha Byadwal’s journey from a girl who failed in Class 5 to becoming one of India’s youngest IAS officers is nothing short of remarkable. Her story teaches us that success isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting up every time you fall.
In an era where smartphones have become extensions of our hands, Neha’s three-year digital detox during preparation shows extraordinary willpower. Her emphasis on family support, self-awareness, and honest self-assessment provides a blueprint for success not just in UPSC but in any challenging endeavor.
Today, as she serves the nation as an IAS officer, Neha Byadwal continues to inspire thousands of young aspirants, especially women, to dream big and work tirelessly toward their goals. Her message is clear: With determination, discipline, and the right support system, no dream is too big to achieve.
Note: This article is based on publicly available information from verified news sources and official records. Some personal details like exact height and relationship status are not publicly disclosed and have been honestly mentioned as unavailable rather than speculated.
Sources:
- Vajira Mandravi Academy UPSC Resources
- IPS Details Biography
- Bollywood Shaadis Feature
- Testbook IAS Preparation Guide
- Biography Kind Official Records
- Various verified news publications (DNA India, India.com)
