Harshita Goyal UPSC AIR 2 2024, Marksheet, Age, Attempts

Who Is Harshita Goyal?

Harshita Goyal is a distinguished achiever in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, securing All India Rank 2 in the final result declared in April 2025. Her journey is notable not only for her high rank but also for her transition from a professional qualification to one of the most competitive examinations in India.

Personal and Educational Background

• Place of Origin: Harshita was born in Hisar, Haryana, and her family later relocated to Vadodara, Gujarat, due to her father’s job.

• Schooling: Completed in Vadodara, Gujarat.

• Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

• Professional Qualification: She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), a credential that reflects strong analytical and professional capabilities.

• Optional Subject for UPSC: Political Science and International Relations in UPSC Mains.

Harshita’s educational background in commerce and professional CA training provided her with disciplined study habits, analytical skills, and time management—attributes she successfully integrated into her UPSC preparation.

UPSC CSE 2024 Result: Rank 2 and Marks

• Final Result: Declared on 22 April 2025 by the Union Public Service Commission.

• All India Rank: AIR 2 in UPSC CSE 2024 — the second highest score nationwide.

• Marks: Reportedly scored 1038 marks, reflecting a balanced performance across Prelims, Mains (written), and Personality Test (Interview).

Harshita’s performance placed her immediately after Shakti Dubey (AIR 1) in a highly competitive cohort of 1,009 successful candidates.

Preparation Journey: From CA to Top Rank

Transition to UPSC

Unlike many candidates with a humanities or arts background, Harshita shifted from a professional career as a Chartered Accountant to UPSC preparation, demonstrating that aspirants from diverse academic streams can excel with focused effort.

Multiple Attempts and Approach

• Harshita cleared the UPSC CSE in her third attempt, showcasing that persistence across multiple cycles can culminate in top success.

• She chose a structured study plan, beginning foundational preparation early and integrating it with her professional commitments before fully focusing on UPSC.

Preparation Strategy

Harshita’s success was based on a well-balanced and disciplined preparation strategy:

1. Consistency and Self-Discipline: She emphasized the value of maintaining a daily routine without forcing unproductive study, recognising that sustainable habits are vital to long-term preparation.

2. Smart Use of Time and Breaks: Harshita allowed herself planned breaks, helping sustain motivation and mental freshness over long preparation periods.

3. Balanced Use of Social Media: Rather than outright avoidance, she used social media selectively to follow educational and UPSC-relevant content while avoiding distractions.

4. Foundation and Test Practice: She built a strong conceptual base and practiced extensively with mock tests to improve accuracy and time management.

5. Interview Strategy: In the Personality Test, Harshita focused on clear expression, presence of mind, and connecting her responses to real-world governance challenges.

These elements combined academic strength with strategic revision and mental resilience, allowing her to perform consistently across all stages of the UPSC examination.

Personal Attributes and Inspirations

Harshita’s journey reflects several defining qualities:

• Adaptability: Transitioning from CA to UPSC showcases the ability to realign professional goals according to passion and purpose.

• Focus on Long-Term Goals: She sustained focus over repeated attempts, illustrating the power of persistence and flexibility in planning.

• Community Engagement: Beyond academics, she has been involved in social work and youth engagement initiatives, reflecting her commitment to public service beyond examination success.

Harshita has emerged as a role model for aspirants from non-traditional UPSC backgrounds, proving that success is possible with targeted strategy and disciplined execution.

Key Lessons and Takeaways for Aspirants

1. Diverse Backgrounds Can Excel: A professional credential such as CA does not limit a candidate’s potential to excel in UPSC.

2. Individual Study Plan Matters: Tailoring a study routine to personal strengths, rather than copying others blindly, is essential for sustainable progress.

3. Balanced Preparation: Integration of foundational knowledge, current affairs, writing practice, and strategic revision is critical to performing well across all UPSC stages.

4. Mental Composure: A balanced approach to breaks, consistent study, and realistic goals supports long-term resilience.

Conclusion

Harshita Goyal’s story in UPSC CSE 2024 is a testament to strategic planning, disciplined preparation, and resilience. From achieving professional excellence as a Chartered Accountant to securing All India Rank 2, her journey demonstrates that success in UPSC is not defined solely by academic background but by intent, consistency, and smart execution. Her achievement stands as a powerful inspiration for future UPSC aspirants, especially those transitioning from professional careers or non-humanities disciplines