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UPSC Story: IFS Shreyak Garg hails from Sonipat, Haryana. His father is a professor at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal.
In his third attempt at the UPSC exam, Dr. Shreyak Garg addressed all the shortcomings from the previous year. (Image: X/ @DrShreyakGarg)
Completing a medical degree from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Maharashtra (MGIMS Sevagram), one of the top medical colleges in the country, promises a bright future for anyone. However, for Dr. Shreyak Garg, it was merely a stepping stone, not an end goal. While his peers pursued careers in the medical field, Garg had a different aspiration: to pass the UPSC exam. He decided to set aside his white coat and stethoscope and tackle the UPSC challenge. But the journey was far from easy.
From failing in his first attempt without any preparation to stumbling at the threshold of the Mains in 2023, he learned valuable lessons from each setback. The 2024 results finally brought success, as he astonished the nation with an All India Rank of 35. Interestingly, despite securing such a high rank, he chose to become a diplomat rather than a collector, opting for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
IFS Garg hails from Sonipat, Haryana. His father is a professor at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal. He took three attempts at the UPSC Civil Services exam, succeeding on his third attempt. His story is an inspiration to every student dreaming of a career in the civil services after completing medical studies.
Shreyak decided to take the UPSC Civil Services Exam immediately after completing his MBBS. His first attempt, made without significant preparation, ended in failure, but it allowed him to understand the exam pattern and identify his weaknesses. He realised that success required more than just knowledge; it needed the right strategy. Consequently, he revised his approach for the next attempt, which reflected in his results.
In 2023, Garg refined his preparation and put in immense effort. His hard work paid off, and he cleared the UPSC Prelims. However, fate had other plans, and he failed to clear the UPSC Mains exam that year. Prior to embarking on the UPSC journey, he had already become a doctor, indicating his academic brilliance. This failure was significant for him, yet he viewed it not as a defeat but as preparation for his next attempt.
In his third attempt at the UPSC exam, Dr Garg addressed all the shortcomings from the previous year. He chose Medical Science as his optional subject and dedicated himself to improving his answer writing. His hard work paid off, and he secured the 35th rank in the UPSC 2024 results.
With an all-India rank of 35 meant he could easily have become an IAS officer, however, his vision was global. He aimed to enhance India’s reputation on international platforms. Hence, he chose to become an IFS officer instead of an IAS officer.
January 15, 2026, 18:35 IST
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