Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh – In a story of grit and resolve, Anjali Sondhiya, hailing from Chandarpura village in Rajgarh district, has achieved a remarkable milestone: she has secured All India Rank 9 in the UPSC Indian Forest Service (IFS) 2024 examination. Her success echoes far beyond her village, symbolizing hope for countless aspirants from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
Childhood & Early Struggles
Anjali was born into a farming family in Chandarpura, where educational and social resources are limited. Reports indicate that her father, Mr. Suresh Sondhiya, passed away around two years ago, leaving her mother and siblings in charge of the household.
In her teenage years, she faced additional pressure when her family arranged her marriage while she was still very young. In many media accounts, it is said she was engaged at age 15. Her mother, however, intervened decisively and supported Anjali’s education instead—a turning point that allowed her to resist early marriage and focus on her ambitions.
Despite these constraints, Anjali was an academically strong student. She studied locally until middle school, then moved to Biaora for secondary education. She emerged as a district topper in her Class 10 board exams. Later, she shifted to Indore, where she completed a B.Sc. degree from Shri Jain Diwakar College in 2019.
UPSC / IFS Journey: Trials and Triumphs
Anjali’s UPSC journey was neither linear nor easy. According to media reports, she began preparing seriously soon after Class 12 (in 2016) and made multiple attempts before success.
She is reported to have failed the Preliminary exam in 2021, 2022, and 2023, yet persisted with her efforts into her fourth attempt in 2024.
In 2024, she contested both the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the IFS exam, focusing ultimately on IFS. She chose Geology and Forestry as her optional subjects—fields suited to her interest in nature and environment—and for CSE, selected Geography as her optional.
Her preparation strategy emphasized self-study, with rigorous use of NCERTs, standard reference books, detailed note-making, past year question papers (PYQs), and frequent mock tests.
When the IFS 2024 results were declared, Anjali’s name stood out at AIR 9 in the national ranking. She also topped among Madhya Pradesh candidates in the same exam, according to state-level reports.
District officials celebrated her achievement. The District Collector and Superintendent of Police extended personal congratulations to Anjali.
Significance & Message
Anjali Sondhiya’s success carries multiple layers of significance:
- Breaking social norms: Her story challenges entrenched traditions, including early marriage, especially in conservative rural settings.
- Inspiration for rural aspirants: Her rise shows that candidates from remote areas, even without extensive coaching infrastructure, can succeed with persistent effort.
- Empowerment of women: Her victory underscores the importance of parental and familial support—her mother’s stand was crucial.
- Focus on environment & nature: Choosing IFS aligns with her roots in a farming region and speaks to her desire to serve nature and rural communities.
In her own words, Anjali advises aspirants to begin with deep understanding of syllabus, avoid superficial shortcuts, and commit years of consistent hard work.
Looking Ahead
With her rank and capacity, Anjali is expected to join the IFS cadre for Madhya Pradesh, allowing her to contribute to forest management and environmental policy in her home state. Her journey is already being shared across news portals and social media as a model of resilience.
Anjali Sondhiya’s ascent from a remote village, through social pressure and multiple setbacks, to a national IFS rank is more than an achievement—it is a narrative of hope for many who fight invisible battles toward big dreams.
