Before exams, both the sisters contracted coronavirus.
Ankita Jain and Vaishali Jain passed UPSC CSE 2020. Ankita secured AIR 3 and Vaishali secured AIR 21. It was Vaishali’s second attempt and Ankita’s fourth.
Every year around 1,000 candidates successfully crack the UPSC CSE exam. The UPSC exam’s success rate should be sufficient to explain why it is regarded as difficult. Every year, thousands of candidates apply for the Prelims but only around 25% of them are successful in moving on to the Mains. Consequently, some claim that the UPSC exam is among the most difficult in the world. Therefore, it is considered a matter of pride for the entire state if a native candidate, from either a rural or urban region, cracks the exam.
Imagine the joy in a household where not one but two members have been able to crack UPSC in the same year. This is the story of two sisters, Ankita and Vaishali Jain from Delhi. Ankita Jain and Vaishali Jain passed UPSC CSE 2020. Ankita secured AIR 3 and Vaishali secured AIR 21. While it was Vaishali’s second attempt, Ankita achieved success on her fourth attempt.
It was all the more tense for them as COVID-19 became a hindrance for Ankita and Vaishali. Just before the exams, the virus infected both of them. Family members were anxious but the sisters’ bravery helped them continue. Ankita made her initial effort in 2017, however, she was unsuccessful. Ankita is an Indian Audit and Accounts Service Officer who is now stationed in Mumbai. She got married two years back, and her husband Abhinav Tyagi, is an IPS officer in Maharashtra.
Her younger sister Vaishali was unable to clear the Prelims on her first attempt. She is a B.Tech graduate from Delhi Technological University where she was a gold medalist. She holds an M. Tech. from IIT Delhi as well and was a gold medallist there. After earning her M. Tech degree, she began her UPSC preparation.
She studied engineering for half a day and civil for the other half as she had to prepare for both. Just before the interview, she became ill with COVID-19. Fortunately, the interview dates were postponed because of the situation in the country.
