NOIDA: Noida resident Karishma Chauhan (28) has secured the 17th rank in the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services (PCS) 2024 examination, placing her among the top 20 candidates in the state. A resident of a housing society in Sector 78, Chauhan cleared the prestigious exam in her second attempt. She now wishes to work on issues related to women’s education, empowerment and healthcare in Uttar Pradesh.UPPSC declared the final results of the PCS 2024 examination on Monday, with women candidates performing strongly. Out of 947 vacancies, 932 candidates have been declared successful, while 15 posts remained vacant due to the absence of suitable candidates. The selected candidates will be appointed to 24 key administrative positions, including sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and block development officer (BDO).Women candidates accounted for a notable share of the selections this year. Of the 932 successful candidates, 319 are women, making up 34% of the total. Women also secured a majority of SDM positions, winning 21 out of 37 posts. In the top 10, six candidates are women, and the top two ranks were also secured by female candidates. Overall, 13 women featured in the top 20, indicating a steady rise in women’s representation in the state’s administrative services.
“Women’s education, especially girls’ enrolment, needs to be increased in Uttar Pradesh. Wherever I am posted, I would like to focus on improving access to education for girls, strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring better awareness about women’s welfare schemes,” Chauhan told TOI.She said she narrowly missed clearing the examination in her first attempt after failing to qualify at the preliminary stage. Determined to improve, she adopted a disciplined routine and studied for long hours. “I used to study for 14–15 hours a day. Consistency and self-belief helped me improve. My aim now is to clear the UPSC, and I will prepare for it simultaneously along with my responsibilities,” she added.She completed her schooling in Noida before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Zoology (Honours) from Delhi University. She later completed her postgraduate studies from IGNOU. Apart from academics, Chauhan enjoys playing badminton and cooking in her free time. Her father is a businessman, her mother is a homemaker, and she has a younger sister.Advising aspirants, she said, “Study hard and keep working until you achieve something. Believe in yourself and you will definitely succeed.”
