UP: Small grocery store owners daughter cracks UPSC 2025, secures AIR 9

PTC Web Desk:  A small grocery store owner's daughter, Aastha Jain from Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, has turned her father's dream of becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer into reality by securing All India Rank (AIR) 9 in the Civil Services Examination 2025 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Celebrations broke out at her home in Kandhla town as family members, relatives and neighbours gathered to congratulate her on the remarkable achievement. Currently undergoing training in the Indian Police Service (IPS), Aastha had taken a break from her training to focus on improving her rank in the civil services exam. This was her third attempt at the prestigious examination.

In her first attempt, she secured AIR 131, which earned her a place in the IPS. Determined to achieve her goal of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), she appeared again and secured rank 181 in her second attempt. Undeterred by the result, she continued her preparation and finally achieved a top rank in her third attempt.

Aastha comes from a modest background. Her father, Ajay Jain, runs a small grocery store in Kandhla, while her mother, Mamta Jain, is a homemaker. Her journey has drawn widespread attention on social media after a video of her father at his shop, with a pen tucked behind his ear, went viral on X. The clip resonated with many users, with one commenting that the achievement represents a victory for the dreams of countless small traders.

Aastha has credited her parents, siblings and teachers for their constant encouragement and support throughout her preparation.

Congratulating her on the success, Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, described the achievement as a proud moment for both Shamli district and the state.