Journalist-Turned-IAS Ruchika Jha Secures AIR 51 in UPSC 2024

Ruchika Jha, a former journalist and electronics engineer, has achieved an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 51 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, clearing the exam on her fifth attempt. Hailing from Delhi with family roots in Bihar, Jha worked as a copy editor at the Press Trust of India (PTI) from November 2018 to April 2022. Her journalism background, including a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), played a key role in her preparation, helping her master current affairs and develop strong reading and analytical skills. While working in the demanding PTI newsroom, she prepared for the UPSC exam during her free time and weekends. PTI supported her by granting a sabbatical to focus on studies.

Jha’s motivation to serve the country and work at the grassroots level drove her to pursue civil services. She credits her success to hard work, patience, and support from her family, friends, and former colleagues. Her father, a Chemistry teacher, inspired her with his discipline, while her mother, a homemaker, provided emotional support. Jha is among 32 candidates from Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) who cleared the 2024 exam. The UPSC exam, conducted in three stages—preliminary, mains, and interview—saw 9,92,599 applicants, with 1,009 candidates (725 men, 284 women) recommended for services like IAS, IFS, and IPS.