Madhopatti village in the Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh has added another feather to its administrative legacy. Muskan Solanki, a native of the village, has cleared the Haryana PCS examination in her very first attempt. Her household already boasts a proud lineage of 10 members serving across prestigious administrative ranks such as IAS, IPS, and PCS. With Muskan securing her selection, she has officially become the eleventh officer to emerge from this accomplished family.
Academic Excellence and a Gold Medal in Law
Muskan maintained an outstanding academic record throughout her college education. She pursued economics at Panjab University, Chandigarh, graduating at the top of her class. Following her undergraduate success, she completed an MA-LLB programme, distinguishing herself in legal studies as well. Her performance in law earned her a gold medal, reflecting the solid academic and analytical foundation that later supported her competitive examinations.
Preparation Journey Across Delhi and Prayagraj
To pursue a career in administrative services, Muskan moved to Delhi, where she undertook coaching for the UPSC examination throughout 2024 and 2025. Once she established a firm grasp of the fundamental curriculum, she chose to step away from formal coaching centres in favour of independent self-study. Later, in 2026, she spent time in Prayagraj to refine her preparation strategy and maintain an intensive study routine on her own terms.
Overcoming Exam Setbacks and Daily Strategy
The road to success included sharp setbacks. Muskan appeared for the UPSC preliminary examination twice without clearing it. In the previous year's attempt, she narrowly missed the qualifying cut-off by just 1.3 marks. The close miss caused significant initial disappointment, but her father and brother stepped in to keep her motivated and focused on the broader goal ahead.
Muskan emphasizes that in competitive preparation, quality and deep concentration matter far more than tracking the total number of hours spent at a desk. She maintained a steady schedule of around 6 to 7 hours of daily study. To avoid modern distractions, she stayed away from social media and placed full trust in structured self-study. Backed by her family's steady encouragement, her disciplined preparation enabled her to crack the Haryana PCS exam on her maiden try.
