Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is one of India’s most admired civil servants. Known for securing AIR 5 in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018, she became the highest-ranked female candidate of her batch and an inspiration for millions of UPSC aspirants. Her journey from a middle-class family in Bhopal to becoming an IAS officer showcases determination, discipline, and self-belief.
Quick Facts Summary
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Srushti Jayant Deshmukh |
| Nickname | Srushti Deshmukh / Srushti IAS |
| Date of Birth | 28 March 1996 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 30 Years |
| Birth Place | Kasturba Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Caste / Community | Deshmukh (OBC – Other Backward Class) |
| Hometown | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda (IAS Officer, AIR 418, UPSC CSE 2018) |
| Children | No confirmed information publicly available |
| UPSC Rank | All India Rank 5 (UPSC CSE 2018) – 1st Rank Among Women |
| Batch | 2019 IAS Batch |
| Cadre | Madhya Pradesh (MP Cadre) |
| Optional Subject | Sociology |
| Total Marks (UPSC) | 1068 / 2025 (Written: 895 + Interview: 173) |
| Education | B.E. in Chemical Engineering, LNCT Bhopal (RGPV) |
| Current Posting | CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh (2024–25) |
| @srushtideshmukhias (~2 Million Followers) | |
| Books Authored | The Answer Writing Manual; The Manual on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude |
| Approximate Salary | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500/month (IAS Pay Level 10–12) |
Family & Personal Life
Behind every great achievement is a family that believes in you. Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s family has been the cornerstone of her success. Growing up in a modest, education-first household in Bhopal gave her the discipline, values, and hunger to dream big. Her parents — an engineer and a teacher — provided the perfect environment where books were revered and hard work was the family tradition.
| Family Member | Details |
| Father’s Name | Jayant Deshmukh |
| Father’s Profession | Engineer (formerly with BHEL – Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited; later private firm) |
| Mother’s Name | Sunita Deshmukh |
| Mother’s Profession | Teacher (Pre-Primary / Kindergarten school teacher) |
| Siblings | One younger brother (in school during her UPSC preparation) |
| Husband | Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda |
| Husband’s Profession | IAS Officer – 2019 Batch, Madhya Pradesh Cadre (UPSC CSE 2018 AIR 418) |
| Husband’s Education | MBBS Doctor turned IAS Officer |
| Marriage Date | 23 April 2022 (some sources cite 2021) |
| Marriage Venue | Private ceremony |
| Children | No confirmed public information |
| Hometown | Kasturba Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Marital Status | Married |
Love Story: Two IAS Officers Who Met at LBSNAA
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh and Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda first met during their foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Two brilliant civil servants from the same UPSC CSE 2018 batch — AIR 5 and AIR 418 — found love while learning the art of governance. Their relationship blossomed quietly over months of shared ideals, values, and commitment to public service. On 23 April 2022, they solemnized their relationship in a ceremony attended by close family. The couple, widely celebrated as a ‘Power IAS Couple’ on social media, became an inspiration for millions of UPSC aspirants who saw in them the perfect blend of intelligence, dedication, and love.
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh — Educational Background
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s educational journey is a powerful testament to the fact that excellence is not about the institution — it is about the individual. From a convent school in Bhopal to a state engineering college, Srushti consistently demonstrated that focused preparation and genuine curiosity can open every door.
| Level | Details |
| Primary & Secondary School | Carmel Convent School, BHEL Campus, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh |
| Class 10th Board | CGPA: 10 / 10 (Perfect Score) – Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Class 12th Board | 93.4% – Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Graduation (B.E.) | Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering |
| College | Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT), Bhopal |
| University | Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal |
| Graduation Year | 2018 |
| UPSC Optional Subject | Sociology |
| Sociology Marks (Mains) | 295 out of 500 |
| UPSC Preparation Mode | Primarily Self-Study + Online Test Series (No formal classroom coaching) |
| Training Academy | Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie |
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh 10th Percentage & Marksheet
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh scored a perfect CGPA of 10/10 in her Class 10th board examinations from Carmel Convent School under CBSE. In Class 12th, she achieved 93.4%. These stellar academic results reflected her consistency and academic discipline from an early age. Many aspirants seeking Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s marksheet and 10th percentage as benchmarks can draw inspiration from her unwavering consistency throughout schooling.
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh Optional Subject: Why Sociology?
Choosing Sociology as an optional subject when you hold a Chemical Engineering degree is a bold, strategic decision. Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s optional subject — Sociology — was selected after careful analysis of syllabus overlap with GS papers, the availability of quality study material, and her own interest in understanding social structures, institutions, and transformation. She scored 295/500 in Sociology during the UPSC Mains, which contributed significantly to her AIR 5 rank. Her choice has since inspired thousands of engineering graduates to consider humanities optional subjects, proving that passion and strategy, not degree alignment, should drive the decision.
UPSC Preparation Journey of Srushti Jayant Deshmukh
“Your background doesn’t define your potential. Your determination does.”
One of the most frequently asked questions among UPSC aspirants is: How did Srushti Jayant Deshmukh crack UPSC in her very first attempt without any formal coaching? The answer lies in a combination of strategic self-study, disciplined routine, and extraordinary focus.
Study Hours:
- Srushti Jayant Deshmukh studied 6 to 7 hours daily during her UPSC preparation
- She relied primarily on NCERT books, standard reference texts, and online test series
- She did not attend any classroom coaching institute
- She joined online test series from various institutes to benchmark her preparation
- She chose Sociology as her UPSC optional subject, scoring 295/500
- Total UPSC Mains score: 1068/2025 (Written: 895 + Interview: 173)
- She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her very first attempt at age 22/23
- She became AIR 5 overall and Rank 1 among all women candidates in UPSC CSE 2018
UPSC CSE 2018 — Srushti Jayant Deshmukh Marks (Answer Copy & Score)
The UPSC scorecard of Srushti Jayant Deshmukh has been widely shared and studied by aspirants across India. Many search for her answer copy and marksheet to understand what a top-ranked response looks like. Below are the official marks released by UPSC:
| Component | Marks |
| Written Test (Mains) | 895 / 1750 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 173 / 275 |
| Total Marks | 1068 / 2025 |
| Optional Subject (Sociology) | 295 / 500 |
| All India Rank | 5 (AIR 5) |
| Rank Among Women | 1st (Top Female Candidate) |
| Total Women Who Cleared | 182 Women Qualified in UPSC CSE 2018 |
| Attempt | First Attempt |
| Age at Clearing | 22–23 Years |
UPSC & Career Timeline — IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh
| Year | Milestone / Position | Details |
| 1996 | Born | Born on 28 March 1996 in Kasturba Nagar, Bhopal, MP |
| 2008–2014 | Schooling | Studied at Carmel Convent School, BHEL Campus, Bhopal; scored 10 CGPA in Class 10 |
| 2014–2018 | Engineering Degree | Completed B.E. in Chemical Engineering from LNCT, Bhopal (RGPV University) |
| 2017–2018 | UPSC Preparation | Self-study preparation post-engineering; studied 6–7 hrs daily; no classroom coaching |
| 2018 | UPSC CSE Exam | Appeared in UPSC Civil Services Exam 2018; secured AIR 5; Top Female Candidate |
| 2019 | Result & Allotment | UPSC CSE 2018 results declared; allotted Madhya Pradesh cadre (2019 IAS Batch) |
| 2019 | Youth Icon | Named Youth Icon by Bhopal Election Office under SVEEP program for Lok Sabha elections |
| 2019–2020 | LBSNAA Training | Foundation and Phase-I training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie |
| 2020–2021 | District Training | District-level field training in Madhya Pradesh as probationary IAS officer |
| 2021–2022 | Early Postings | Junior field postings in MP; development of administrative acumen |
| 2022 | Marriage | Married Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda (IAS AIR 418) on 23 April 2022 |
| 2022–2023 | SDO / Revenue | Posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), Gadarwara, Narsinghpur District, MP |
| 2023 | SDM Gadarwara | Served as SDM, Gadarwara; promoted Laadli Bahna Yojana scheme actively |
| 2023–2024 | Transfer | Transferred from SDM Gadarwara; posted to new assignment |
| 2024–2025 | CEO Zila Panchayat | Posted as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur District, Madhya Pradesh (Current/Recent) |
| 2025–2026 | Ongoing Service | Continuing to serve in Madhya Pradesh Cadre with over 5 years of field experience |
Administrative Positions Held by IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh
| Position | Location & Details |
| Probationary IAS Officer (Training) | LBSNAA, Mussoorie + Field Training, Madhya Pradesh (2019–2021) |
| Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) | Gadarwara, Narsinghpur District, Madhya Pradesh |
| Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) | Gadarwara, Narsinghpur District, Madhya Pradesh |
| CEO, Zila Panchayat | Burhanpur District, Madhya Pradesh (2024–2025; Current/Recent Posting) |
| Youth Icon (Electoral) | Bhopal, MP — Appointed by Election Commission of India under SVEEP (2019) |
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh Current Posting (2025–2026)
The most searched question about IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is: ‘What is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s current posting?’ As of 2024–2025, Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is posted as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. In this role, she oversees panchayati raj institutions, rural development programs, MGNREGA implementation, welfare scheme delivery, and grassroots governance. This is a senior district-level post that requires balancing administrative efficiency with human sensitivity — a combination that defines Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s working style.
Previously, Srushti Jayant Deshmukh was posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Gadarwara, Narsinghpur district, where she played a pivotal role in promoting the Madhya Pradesh government’s flagship ‘Laadli Bahna Yojana’ scheme, aimed at empowering women across the state.
Major Achievements & Recognition — IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh
| Year | Achievement | Description |
| 2018 | UPSC AIR 5 | Secured All India Rank 5 in UPSC Civil Services Examination — 1st attempt, 1st among women |
| 2018 | Top Female Candidate | Topped among 182 women candidates who cleared UPSC CSE 2018 |
| 2019 | Youth Icon | Named Youth Icon by Bhopal Election Office (SVEEP) to inspire women first-time voters |
| 2019 | IAS Allotment | Allotted preferred Madhya Pradesh cadre as per rank; 2019 IAS Batch |
| 2022 | Author | Co-authored ‘The Answer Writing Manual’ — a comprehensive UPSC Mains guide for aspirants |
| 2023 | Author II | Published ‘The Manual on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude’ with 50 unique case studies for UPSC GS-IV |
| 2023 | Laadli Bahna | Instrumental in promoting the Laadli Bahna Yojana women empowerment scheme in Narsinghpur |
| 2024 | CEO Burhanpur | Appointed as CEO Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur — overseeing rural development for entire district |
| 2026 | Social Media Icon | Over 2 million followers on Instagram; one of most-followed IAS officers in India |
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh Books — Written Works
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh has extended her commitment to public service beyond her administrative role by authoring books that serve as guiding lights for the lakhs of UPSC aspirants who look up to her. Searches for ‘Srushti Jayant Deshmukh books’ reflect the massive demand for resources created by her.
| Book Title | Details |
| The Answer Writing Manual | A step-by-step guide for UPSC Civil Services Mains examination. Covers both preparation strategies and answer writing techniques. Ideal for aspirants at all stages of preparation. |
| The Manual on Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude | An end-to-end solution for GS Paper IV (Ethics) of UPSC CSE and State Civil Service Examinations. Contains 50 fresh and unique case studies. One of the most comprehensive ethics guides in the market. |
Special Distinctions — What Makes Srushti Jayant Deshmukh Unique
- First woman from a Chemical Engineering background to reach AIR 5 in UPSC CSE in recent memory
- Cleared UPSC in her very first attempt — without any formal classroom coaching
- Became the top-ranked female candidate among 182 women who cleared UPSC CSE 2018
- Chose Sociology as an optional subject despite being an Engineering graduate — setting a trend
- Named as Youth Icon by Election Commission of India — first IAS topper from MP batch 2019 to receive this honor
- Married a fellow IAS officer from the same UPSC batch — a rare and celebrated love story in civil services
- Authored two books on UPSC preparation — becoming one of the few serving IAS officers to publish while in service
- Amassed over 2 million followers on Instagram as a serving junior IAS officer — unprecedented social reach
- Promoted Laadli Bahna Yojana on ground as SDM — a women empowerment scheme directly aligned with her values
Detailed Biography —
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh was born on 28 March 1996 in Kasturba Nagar, a modest residential locality in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The neighborhood was populated by hardworking middle-class families — engineers, teachers, and government employees — who placed enormous value on education as a path to a better life.
Her father, Jayant Deshmukh, worked as an engineer with BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) and later in a private firm. Her mother, Sunita Deshmukh, taught children at a pre-primary school. Growing up in a household where both parents were professionally engaged and intellectually curious gave young Srushti an early understanding of discipline and purpose. Books were not just objects in her home — they were doorways.
Srushti’s younger brother, the family’s youngest, added warmth and joy to the household. She credits her parents, grandmother, brother, teachers, and close friends for shaping her character and fueling her ambitions.
School Years: Laying the Foundation
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh completed her schooling at Carmel Convent School on the BHEL campus in Bhopal — a respected institution known for its emphasis on academics, values, and discipline. From her earliest school years, Srushti was recognized as an exceptional student — methodical, curious, and driven.
Her performance in the Class 10th board exams was remarkable: she achieved a perfect CGPA of 10/10, placing her among the top students in her school and city. In Class 12th, she maintained her academic momentum and scored 93.4%, confirming that her excellence was not a flash but a consistent flame.
Engineering College: The Decision That Changed Everything
After her strong Class 12th result, Srushti Jayant Deshmukh enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) program in Chemical Engineering at Lakshmi Narain College of Technology (LNCT), Bhopal, under Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV). The choice of engineering was practical — but Srushti always harbored a deeper calling.
During her engineering years, her interest in public policy, social welfare, and governance began to crystallize. She started reading newspapers, following current affairs, and thinking about how India’s systems could be made more just and effective. By her final year, the decision was clear: she would attempt the UPSC Civil Services Examination — the gateway to the Indian Administrative Service.
UPSC Preparation: The Self-Study Revolution
What sets the preparation story of Srushti Jayant Deshmukh apart from thousands of UPSC toppers is radical simplicity. While many aspirants invest years in expensive coaching institutes, Srushti chose a different path: focused, strategic, and self-driven preparation.
She studied 6 to 7 hours every day. She relied on NCERT books, standard reference materials like Laxmikanth for Polity and Bipin Chandra for History, and Sociology texts for her optional subject. She chose online test series from leading institutes to test her preparation but did not attend a single classroom coaching session.
Her optional subject — Sociology — was a calculated choice. Despite holding an engineering degree, she recognized that Sociology offered significant overlap with GS papers, rich case study material, and a relatively stable syllabus. She scored 295/500 in the subject — a performance that became a key differentiator in her final rank.
The Historic Result: AIR 5, Rank 1 Among Women
When the UPSC CSE 2018 results were declared, Srushti Jayant Deshmukh had not only cleared the examination — she had topped it among women. With a total score of 1068/2025 (Written: 895 + Interview: 173), she secured All India Rank 5. She was the first-ranked woman among 182 women candidates who cleared the examination that year.
The news spread like wildfire. A Chemical Engineering graduate from a state college in Bhopal who prepared without coaching, cleared UPSC on her first attempt, and topped the women’s category — this was not just news; this was a national story. Srushti Jayant Deshmukh became an overnight inspiration for millions of aspirants, especially young women from non-metropolitan backgrounds who had begun to question whether UPSC was ‘for them.’
She gave it a resounding answer: yes, it is. And you can do it too.
Madhya Pradesh Cadre: Coming Home
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh had given her first preference to Madhya Pradesh as her cadre — her home state. As a rank 5 holder, she had the luxury of preference, and she chose to serve the people among whom she grew up. She was allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre as part of the 2019 IAS Batch.
Her training at LBSNAA in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand was not only a period of professional development but also the beginning of a personal chapter — it was here that she met Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, who would become her life partner.
The IAS Couple: Srushti and Nagarjun
Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s husband, Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, is a 2019-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre who secured AIR 418 in UPSC CSE 2018. A qualified MBBS doctor from Karnataka, Nagarjun brought his own inspiring story to the relationship — a rural boy from Karnataka who became a medical doctor and then cleared UPSC to serve the nation as an IAS officer.
The couple met during foundation training at LBSNAA and built a relationship grounded in shared values of public service, intellectual curiosity, and personal integrity. They married on 23 April 2022. Their partnership is widely admired as a symbol of two public servants supporting each other while individually serving the nation.
Interesting Facts About Srushti Jayant Deshmukh
- Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is a Chemical Engineer who chose Sociology as UPSC optional — and scored 295/500
- She studied just 6–7 hours per day and cleared UPSC without any classroom coaching
- She cleared the toughest exam in India on her very first attempt
- She was just 22–23 years old when she became an IAS officer
- Her perfect 10 CGPA in Class 10th reflects extraordinary academic discipline from childhood
- Both she and her husband Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda belong to the same UPSC 2018 batch and same MP cadre
- She is one of the most followed IAS officers on Instagram with over 2 million followers
- She has authored 2 books while serving as a junior IAS officer — a rare achievement
- Her marriage to a fellow IAS officer created a social media storm of admiration in 2022
- She was named a Youth Icon by the Election Commission of India before she even completed her probation
- She is one of the very few IAS officers who actively use social media to inspire and educate aspirants
- Her interview score of 173/275 was among the highest in her batch — reflecting her communication skills
Conclusion —
“An ordinary girl from Bhopal who chose extraordinary effort — that is the story of IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh.”
The story of IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is, at its heart, the story of every first-generation achiever who refused to let their circumstances define their ceiling. Born in a middle-class household in Bhopal, educated at a state engineering college without elite credentials, preparing for UPSC without expensive coaching — she did everything ‘wrong’ by conventional wisdom and emerged at the top.
Her legacy is already being written in the thousands of aspirants she has inspired through her story, her books, and her social media presence. Future generations of IAS aspirants — particularly women and those from non-metropolitan backgrounds — will cite Srushti Jayant Deshmukh as proof that the Indian Administrative Service is not a closed club for the privileged but an open arena for the determined.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current posting of Srushti Jayant Deshmukh?
A: As of 2024–2025, IAS Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s current posting is as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. She was previously posted as SDM, Gadarwara, Narsinghpur. Transfers are routine in IAS service, so her posting may change as per government orders.
Q: What is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s age?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh was born on 28 March 1996, making her 30 years old as of 2026.
Q: Who is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s husband?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s husband is Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, a 2019-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre who secured AIR 418 in UPSC CSE 2018. He is a qualified MBBS doctor from Karnataka who switched to the IAS. They married on 23 April 2022. The couple is widely known as a ‘Power IAS Couple’ on social media.
Q: What was Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s UPSC rank?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh secured All India Rank 5 (AIR 5) in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018. She was the top-ranked female candidate, ranking 1st among 182 women who cleared the exam. Her total score was 1068/2025.
Q: What is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s education qualification?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Chemical Engineering from LNCT Bhopal under RGPV University. She scored 10 CGPA in Class 10th and 93.4% in Class 12th from Carmel Convent School, Bhopal.
Q: What is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s optional subject for UPSC?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh chose Sociology as her UPSC optional subject, despite being a Chemical Engineering graduate. She scored 295/500 in Sociology in the UPSC Mains examination.
Q: What is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s salary per month?
A: As an IAS officer with 5–6 years of service, Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s approximate salary ranges from ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000 per month (gross), including basic pay, Dearness Allowance, and other allowances, as per 7th Pay Commission scales. She also receives government accommodation, official vehicle, and other perks.
Q: What is the Srushti Jayant Deshmukh bribe case?
A: In October 2025, an RTI activist alleged that Srushti Jayant Deshmukh’s husband, Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, accepted a ₹10 crore bribe as ADM in Harda to reduce a ₹51 crore mining penalty to ₹4,000. Srushti Jayant Deshmukh herself is NOT named or directly implicated in the case. Dr. Gowda denied the allegations, citing legal and procedural grounds for the penalty reduction.
Q: Does Srushti Jayant Deshmukh have children?
A: There is no confirmed public information about Srushti Jayant Deshmukh having children as of 2026. She maintains a private personal life outside of her official and social media presence.
Q: What age was Srushti Jayant Deshmukh when she cleared UPSC?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018 at the age of 22–23 years. She was among the youngest IAS officers in her batch.
Q: In which district is Srushti Jayant Deshmukh posted?
A: Srushti Jayant Deshmukh is posted in Burhanpur District, Madhya Pradesh as CEO, Zila Panchayat. Previously she was posted in Narsinghpur District (Gadarwara) as SDM.
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