Working as the District Employment Officer in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Greater Noida, Manisha Atry’s journey to administrative services has been filled with immense struggle. There was a time when girls in her native village were not permitted to pursue education beyond the tenth standard. The prevailing mindset within her family and society dictated that girls should only be educated enough to secure a suitable marriage into a good household. Emerging from such a restrictive and traditional environment, Manisha not only continued her studies but carved out a distinct identity for herself. Her path from an ordinary farming family to achieving an administrative rank is a story defined by challenges, setbacks, relentless hard work, and unshakable self-confidence.
Rural Roots and Early Hurdles
District Employment Officer Manisha Atry hails from Panchavali village in Bulandshahr district. Being the youngest among five siblings, she grew up in a typical agricultural household. Although her village had a school that went up to the twelfth standard, a strict unwritten rule barred girls from studying past the tenth grade. The school management believed that the presence of older girls might disrupt the campus environment. Nevertheless, her parents strongly desired that their daughter receive an education. Prompted by this parental backing, she pushed past the adverse circumstances and kept her academic pursuits alive.
Self-Study and Intermediate Exams
She recounted that she did not attend classes regularly for her eleventh and twelfth grades. Instead, she prepared for her examinations entirely through self-study, driven by the firm determination that failure was simply not an option. Relying solely on her independent efforts, she successfully cleared the intermediate examinations in the second division. Following this, she completed her graduation through correspondence via DAV Degree College in Bulandshahr. Her family harbored a wish for her to complete a Bachelor of Education degree prior to marriage. Consequently, she enrolled in IP Degree College for a BEd course, marking a critical turning point in her life.
Regular College Life and Academic Drive
Manisha shared that the BEd college provided her with the first opportunity to experience regular academics and interact closely with fellow students. The institution maintained a mandatory seventy-five percent attendance policy, and her batch comprised roughly one hundred students. Observing that several peers excelled academically compared to her, she intensified her efforts and finished her BEd program with an impressive eighty percent score. Encouraged by her family to pursue further higher studies, she began preparing to move to Kanpur for a Master of Education degree.
Inspiration from a Civil Services Success Story
During this preparatory phase, a photograph in a competitive magazine depicting a female candidate who cleared the UPSC examination ignited her dream of becoming an administrator. She recalled looking at the picture and thinking that if another woman could accomplish this feat, she too deserved to give it an earnest try. At that juncture, she possessed little knowledge regarding the civil services examination process. Later, an accidental conversation with a fellow passenger while traveling on a train provided her with proper guidance about the exam. She subsequently shared her aspirations with her family and resolved to move to Delhi for dedicated coaching.
She asked her family for a strict window of just one year. Although a marriage alliance was nearly finalized for her at that time, she pleaded with her relatives to grant her a brief opportunity to prepare. Her family agreed, and she relocated to Delhi. In the year 2008, she made her inaugural attempt at the UPSC examinations. Throughout this cycle, she successfully cleared both the preliminary and mains stages, but missed final selection by a mere one and a half marks during the interview stage. Subsequent attempts in the following two years unfortunately did not yield success in the civil services.
Continuing Aspirations After Marriage
Even after tying the knot, she refused to halt her preparation for competitive examinations. Her husband serves in the Indian Navy, and Manisha shifted her primary focus toward state-level administrative tests. She noted that during this phase, she received invaluable guidance from Dharmendra Sir at Patanjali Coaching. Initially, admission was denied due to a lack of available seats. She explained her personal circumstances and requested a grace period of just three days. Impressed by her tenacity, the institution granted her admission. Her mentor provided both emotional and financial support until she secured her appointment. According to Manisha, she persevered through state examinations and reached the interview round an impressive eight times.
She secured her selection as a District Employment Officer through the PCS-2015 batch. Prior to this achievement, she worked for approximately five years within a child development project. Her maiden posting arrived in Ghaziabad in the year 2016. Subsequently, she was transferred to Meerut in 2022 and assumed her current charge in Gautam Buddh Nagar in 2024. Presently, she oversees administrative tasks concerning youth employment and vocational placement across the district.
A Message for the Youth
Delivering an inspiring message to young aspirants, she stated that every individual encounters unique and varying life circumstances. The crucial factor is for a person to strive to deliver their absolute best within the given constraints. She emphasized that students must build a solid academic foundation right from their school and college years. Trying to mend gaps in fundamental education later during competitive exam preparation consumes a substantial amount of precious time. Through proper guidance, rigorous hard work, and persistent perseverance, individuals can effectively reach their ultimate goals.
