Cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a dream that lakhs of aspirants spend years chasing. Dr Ritika Aima achieved it not once, but twice. In her first successful attempt, she secured All India Rank (AIR) 186 and earned a place in the Indian Police Service (IPS). For many, that would have marked the end of the journey. For Ritika, however, it was only a milestone. Her dream had always been to become an IAS officer.What makes her story stand out is not just the improvement in her rank—from AIR 186 to AIR 33 in a year—but the conviction behind her decision. A qualified MBBS doctor, Ritika believed that while treating patients is one of the noblest professions, many of the challenges in healthcare can only be addressed through better governance and policymaking. That belief prompted her to leave a promising medical career and prepare for one of India’s toughest examinations.
She didn’t leave medicine—she wanted to improve the system behind it
Born and brought up in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Ritika completed her schooling before pursuing MBBS from Dr Sushila Tiwari Medical College, Haldwani. As a medical student, she experienced the healthcare system from close quarters.It strengthened her belief that doctors save lives every day, but policies determine how effectively healthcare reaches people. From the availability of hospitals and medicines to public health programmes, nutrition, sanitation and medical infrastructure, many of the decisions that shape healthcare are taken at the policy level.That realisation inspired her to look beyond clinical practice. Instead of treating one patient at a time, she wanted to contribute to decisions that could improve healthcare for entire communities. The Indian Administrative Service, she felt, would provide that opportunity.
From IPS to IAS: Refusing to settle for anything less than her dream
Ritika’s UPSC journey was built on perseverance and continuous learning. She reached the Personality Test stage in one of her earlier attempts before clearing the Civil Services Examination 2022 with AIR 186, securing a place in the IPS.Despite achieving what thousands of aspirants dream of, she chose to appear for the examination again. It wasn’t because she was dissatisfied with the IPS. Rather, she remained committed to her original goal of joining the IAS.She returned to preparation with greater clarity, continued with Anthropology as her optional subject and refined her strategy. The effort paid off in the Civil Services Examination 2023 when she secured AIR 33.Her performance reflected consistency across every stage of the examination:• Mains: 804 marks• Personality Test: 212 marks• Total: 1016 marksThe result earned her a place in the Indian Administrative Service, and she was allotted the Gujarat cadre.
Success, she says, is bigger than an examination
Today, Dr Ritika Aima is serving in the Gujarat cadre, where she is currently posted as a Supernumerary Assistant Collector in Tapi district. Alongside her administrative responsibilities, she has also shared insights into her UPSC journey on Instagram, discussing preparation strategies, interview experiences, handling pressure and staying mentally resilient through multiple attempts.One message, however, stands out above all others. Ritika believes that no examination result should define a person’s worth or success in life.She has written that professional achievements and examination ranks should never become the sole measure of success. According to her, true success comes from having the courage to face life’s challenges every day with hope, resilience and honesty, regardless of the outcome.Interestingly, despite clearing UPSC twice, she also encourages aspirants to have a Plan B. In her view, having an alternative reduces unnecessary pressure and allows candidates to prepare with greater confidence and clarity.Dr Ritika Aima’s story is about much more than improving a UPSC rank or changing services. It is the story of someone who was clear about the impact she wanted to create. She chose to leave medicine not because she stopped believing in the profession, but because she believed she could contribute to healthcare in a different way—through governance, policymaking and public administration. Sometimes, success is not about accepting the first opportunity that comes your way. It is about staying committed to the purpose that inspired the journey in the first place.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and statements shared by the individual concerned, including posts on her official social media handles where applicable. The information is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
