Shraddha Gome of Indore has charted a remarkable course from law school excellence to the Indian Administrative Service, clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021 with an All India Rank of 60 on her first attempt. Her trajectory, marked by sustained discipline and independent study, offers practical lessons for aspirants across the country.
Shraddha Gome UPSC success: How she prepared without coaching
Gome’s academic promise emerged early. She completed her schooling at St. Raphael’s Higher Secondary School in Indore, topping her class in both the 10th and 12th board examinations. She then went on to take the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), securing the top rank nationwide and winning admission to the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.
At NLSIU she continued to stand out. At convocation she received a gold medal from the then Chief Justice of India, Deepak Mishra, recognising her academic distinction. Following university, she joined Hindustan Unilever Limited through the Unilever Future Leaders Programme, working as a legal manager in London and later in Mumbai.
Despite a secure corporate career, Gome retained a longstanding ambition to enter public service. After graduating, she decided to pursue the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She chose law as her optional subject and made the bold decision to leave her job to focus on preparation full time.
What sets Gome’s story apart is her choice to prepare without coaching. In interviews she has credited a consistent routine—studying nine to ten hours a day—from the outset. Her approach combined steady daily effort with a clear strategy: prioritise core subjects, practice answer writing, and maintain regular revision cycles. She also emphasises the value of self-discipline and time management.
Gome has repeatedly acknowledged the role of her family in her success. Her mother, Vandana, encouraged independence and a disciplined approach to study, while her father, Ramesh Kumar Gome, a retired State Bank of India officer, reinforced the importance of prioritising academics. That support helped her sustain the long hours and focused preparation the UPSC demands.
Her result—an All India Rank of 60 and selection to the IAS—validates her methods. For many aspirants, the combination of a strong academic foundation, workplace experience and a rigorous, self-directed study plan offers a compelling alternative to classroom coaching. Gome’s success suggests that well-structured solo preparation, underpinned by regularity and a clear roadmap, can yield top results.
Beyond technique, Gome’s path highlights other practical takeaways: select an optional subject aligned to your academic strengths, cultivate disciplined study habits early, and seek family or peer support to maintain morale. Her time at NLSIU and at Unilever also provided transferable skills—analytical thinking, legal reasoning and professional rigour—that proved valuable during the UPSC journey.
Shraddha Gome now serves as an IAS officer, joining the cadre of young leaders tasked with public administration across India. Her journey, from CLAT topper to a gold-medal convocation and then to the civil service, stands as a motivational case study for those aiming for competitive examinations without formal coaching.
(Image credit: Instagram/@shraddhagome_ias)
Key Takeaways:
- Shraddha Gome, from Indore, moved from topping CLAT to securing UPSC AIR 60 in her first attempt.
- She earned a gold medal at NLSIU and worked with Unilever in London and Mumbai before resigning to prepare for UPSC.
- Succeeded through disciplined self-study—9–10 hours daily—with law as her optional subject and no coaching.
- Her story emphasises strategy, regularity and family support as keys to civil service success.
