How IAS Shreya Shree and IFS Nikhil Mahajan Cleared UPSC 2021 and Built a Life Together IIT alumni Shreya Shree and Nikhil Mahajan secured ranks 71 and 80 in UPSC CSE 2021 before tying the knot in 2024. The civil services examination organized by the Union Public Service Commission remains widely recognized as one of the most demanding competitive hurdles in the country. With hundreds of thousands of aspirants vying for a few hundred coveted positions, the journey tests emotional endurance, intellectual depth, and resilience. When two individuals who weathered these grueling demands cross the finish line with exemplary ranks and eventually decide to walk the path of life together, their narrative transcends individual achievement. Such is the journey of Shreya Shree and Nikhil Mahajan, two distinguished officers from the 2021 examination cycle who turned rigorous preparation into success and later formalized their bond in marriage after meeting during foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). Shreya Shree: Educational Roots and Public Service Calling Originally hailing from Bihar, Shreya Shree spent her formative years and completed her early schooling in Madhya Pradesh. Her academic aptitude paved the way to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, one of the nation's premier technical institutions, where she completed both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The drive to dedicate her professional life to administrative service was deeply nurtured at home. Her father, Dinesh Choudhary, had served the nation in the Indian Air Force before moving on to work in the banking sector. Growing up around a disciplined military ethos instilled in Shreya an aspiration to contribute meaningfully to public administration. Turning an Initial Setback into Second-Attempt Success The transition from technical education to administrative exam preparation presented early obstacles. In her debut attempt at the civil services examination, Shreya was unable to clear even the preliminary stage. Rather than allowing the early elimination to derail her aspirations, she undertook a methodical review of her preparation gaps. Choosing a path distinct from many candidates, she decided against enrolling in commercial coaching centers, instead relying entirely on self-study. By maintaining disciplined study hours, preparing organized personal notes, and focusing on continuous revision, Shreya demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in the 2021 examination. She secured an All India Rank of 71, compiling a cumulative score of 993 marks, which included an impressive 178 marks in the personality interview. This standout performance earned her induction into the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Nikhil Mahajan: Overcoming Five Failures to Clinch Rank 80 For Nikhil Mahajan, the trajectory to the civil services was defined by extraordinary patience and perseverance against compounding setbacks. After finishing his school education in Faridkot, Punjab, Nikhil gained admission to IIT Delhi, where he graduated with a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering. Acting upon guidance from his uncle, he turned his sights toward administrative governance. His personal background, however, had already tested his fortitude early in life following the demise of his mother during his childhood years. Nikhil's persistence was pushed to the extreme across multiple examination cycles. He faced disappointment in five successive attempts, an ordeal that often leads candidates to abandon their ambitions entirely. Refusing to yield, he channeled all his accumulated experience into his sixth and final eligible attempt. When the 2021 final merit list was published, Nikhil had achieved an All India Rank of 80, securing selection into the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). His trajectory underscored how unyielding consistency can transform years of disappointment into a historic milestone. From LBSNAA Training Grounds to a 2024 Marriage Inducted into the 2022 officer batch, both IAS Shreya Shree and IFS Nikhil Mahajan arrived at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie to begin their institutional training. It was within the classrooms and shared activities of the academy that their friendship took root. While Shreya brought the experience of focused self-study and swift triumph on her second attempt, Nikhil brought the philosophical depth of surviving a long, exhausting battle of six attempts. Finding mutual respect and shared ideals during their time in training, the two administrative officers decided to take their partnership forward, officially tying the knot in 2024. Their combined journey has resonated widely across competitive exam communities, illustrating that varied preparation paths and personal struggles can culminate in shared triumph when anchored by unwavering discipline and resilience. What this means for you This inspirational narrative provides actionable insights on exam strategy, mental endurance, and preparation methods for competitive aspirants. • Preparation Strategy: High ranks can be secured through structured self-study without expensive commercial coaching. Aspirants can rely on personal notes, disciplined hours, and rigorous self-evaluation. • Bouncing Back: Failing at the preliminary stage does not preclude securing a top rank in the subsequent attempt. Candidates should treat early setbacks as diagnostic feedback rather than a final verdict. • Persistence and Grit: Overcoming five consecutive failures to succeed on the final sixth attempt proves the value of staying the course. Aspirants nearing their attempt limits can draw confidence to exhaust all opportunities. • Life and Career Balance: Enduring early personal loss need not derail long-term professional aspirations. Finding shared purpose and mutual support can enrich both administrative service and personal life. Questions & Answers 1. What ranks did Shreya Shree and Nikhil Mahajan secure in the UPSC examination? In UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021, Shreya Shree secured All India Rank 71, while Nikhil Mahajan attained All India Rank 80. 2. In which attempt did Shreya Shree clear the exam, and what was her score? Shreya Shree cleared the examination in her second attempt, scoring a cumulative 993 marks, which included 178 marks in the interview. 3. How many attempts did Nikhil Mahajan take, and which service was he allocated? Nikhil Mahajan succeeded on his sixth and final attempt, earning selection into the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). 4. Where did both officers complete their higher education? Shreya Shree graduated and completed post-graduation from IIT Kanpur, while Nikhil Mahajan earned a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. 5. Where did Shreya Shree and Nikhil Mahajan meet, and when did they marry? They met during their 2022 batch foundation training at LBSNAA and tied the knot in 2024. Inspiration & Lessons The journeys of Shreya Shree and Nikhil Mahajan demonstrate how persistence, disciplined study, and resilience overcome formidable hurdles. • Trust in Self-Study: Shreya Shree achieved rank 71 without commercial coaching after analyzing her early mistakes, showing that disciplined self-reliance works. • Endurance to the Final Attempt: Nikhil Mahajan conquered five successive failures to triumph on his sixth and final chance, proving tenacity beats discouragement. • Overcoming Personal Grief: Coping with the early loss of his mother in childhood, Nikhil remained steadfast in pursuing his long-term goals. • Adapting After Failure: Rebounding immediately from a preliminary stage exit, Shreya refined her strategy to clear the examination with top honors. • Strength in Shared Values: Both officers turned their individual struggles into mutual strength, finding compatibility and partnership through shared service. https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/aieesa-shreya-shree-aura-aiephaesa-nikhil-mahajan-ki-preranadayaka-dastana-kathina-imtihana-pasa-kara-bane-hamasaphara-41768 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.