Srushti Deshmukh IAS: Age, Education, Family, Current Posting & Success Story

Srushti Deshmukh IAS is one of India’s most celebrated civil servants. She secured All India Rank 5 (AIR 5) in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018 — in her very first attempt. More remarkably, she topped among all female candidates that year, becoming the highest-ranked woman out of 182 women who cleared the exam.

What makes her journey truly extraordinary is how she did it. Srushti never attended formal classroom coaching. She studied from online materials, read newspapers daily, and stayed away from social media during her preparation. She was just 23 years old when she cleared one of the world’s toughest exams.

Today, Srushti Deshmukh IAS serves as a 2019-batch officer in the Madhya Pradesh cadre. She is a role model for millions of young aspirants — especially women from small towns — who dream of joining India’s administrative service. This article covers everything about her life, from her childhood in Bhopal to her current posting, family, UPSC strategy, and inspiring achievements.

Quick Information Table

Srushti Deshmukh IAS Age, Early Life, and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Srushti Jayant Deshmukh was born in the Kasturba Nagar locality of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She grew up in a middle-class family that valued education above everything else.

Her father, Jayant Deshmukh, is an engineer who worked at BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) in Bhopal. Her mother, Sunita Deshmukh, is a homemaker. The family’s environment was disciplined and study-focused, which shaped Srushti’s approach to academics from a young age.

She was always an active student. Right from her school days, she participated in debates, Scouts and Guides activities, and cultural programmes. She even holds an NCC ‘A’ Certificate, which shows her sense of discipline and teamwork from early on.

Schooling

Srushti began her schooling at Carmel Convent School, BHEL, Bhopal. It is a well-known CBSE school in the city.

She performed brilliantly in her board exams. She scored 76% in her Class 10 exams and went on to score an impressive 93.4% in her Class 12 exams. These marks placed her among the top students in her school and set the tone for the academic excellence that would define her future.

Graduation and College

After completing school, Srushti enrolled in Laxmi Narayan College of Technology, Bhopal, which is affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV). She pursued a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Chemical Engineering.

Engineering was her academic path, but her true calling was public service. During her college years, she began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She did not join any formal coaching institute. Instead, she relied on online study material, NCERT books, and standard reference texts.

She also kept herself away from social media while preparing, which helped her stay focused without distractions. Her preparation strategy was built on consistency — studying steadily every day rather than cramming.

UPSC Preparation and Strategy

Srushti chose Sociology as her optional subject for the UPSC Mains exam. Since Chemical Engineering was not available as an optional subject in the UPSC exam, she chose Sociology for its overlap with general studies and its relatively accessible syllabus.

Her key strategies included:

• Reading newspapers every day to stay current on national and world affairs
• Practising consistent, daily study schedules rather than random marathon sessions
• Taking regular mock tests and test series to evaluate her performance
• Focusing on answer writing as a core skill for the Mains examination
• Avoiding social media completely during her preparation phase

These habits paid off in a spectacular way in 2018.

Srushti Deshmukh IAS UPSC Results and Rank

Srushti Deshmukh cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018 in her very first attempt, earning All India Rank 5 (AIR 5). She became the top-ranked female candidate among 182 women who cleared the examination that year.

UPSC 2018 Marksheet (Official UPSC Data)

Srushti scored a total of 1,068 marks out of 2,025 marks in the UPSC CSE 2018. Her marksheet went viral on social media and is widely studied by aspirants as a benchmark for top-level performance.

Her scores were particularly notable because she came from a science and engineering background, yet excelled in a humanities-focused exam. This inspires many STEM students who aspire to join the civil services.

She was allotted the Madhya Pradesh cadre as her first preference — her home state — and joined the IAS as a 2019-batch officer.

Family Details

Father – Jayant Deshmukh

Srushti’s father, Jayant Deshmukh, is an engineer by profession. He spent his career working with BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) in Bhopal, one of India’s premier public sector engineering companies. He is credited with instilling a strong work ethic and love for education in Srushti.

Mother – Sunita Deshmukh

Srushti’s mother, Sunita Deshmukh, is a homemaker. She provided emotional support and a stable home environment that allowed Srushti to focus on her studies without distraction. Srushti has often credited her parents’ encouragement as a key factor in her success.

Husband – Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda (IAS)

Srushti is married to Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, who is also an IAS officer. Dr. Gowda hails from Karnataka and holds an MBBS degree in Medicine and Surgery from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. He cleared UPSC CSE 2018 with AIR 418 and belongs to the 2019 IAS batch, same as Srushti.

The two first met during their foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Their friendship grew into a relationship over two and a half years. They got engaged in August 2021 and married on 23 April 2022.

After their marriage, Dr. Gowda applied for and received a cadre transfer to Madhya Pradesh so the couple could serve in the same state. They are popularly called the “Power IAS Couple” on social media.

Srushti Deshmukh IAS Career and Postings

After completing her training at LBSNAA in Mussoorie, Srushti was posted to Madhya Pradesh. She has held several important roles in her short but impressive career spanning over six years.

Posting History

Note: IAS postings change frequently as per government orders. Refer to official government sources for the most current information.

In her role as CEO of Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur, Srushti oversaw rural development programmes, panchayat governance, and the delivery of government schemes at the grassroots level. She held that posting for over two years — one of the longer tenures in her career so far.

Her current role as ADM, Khandwa gives her broad administrative responsibilities across revenue, law and order, and district management functions.

Youth Icon for Voters (2019)

Shortly after her UPSC results were announced, the Bhopal District Election Office selected Srushti as a Youth Icon under the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) programme ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She participated in campus drives to encourage young and first-time women voters to exercise their right to vote.

Srushti Deshmukh IAS Book – “The Answer Writing”

In June 2022, Srushti Deshmukh launched her book titled “The Answer Writing”. The book provides practical guidance on how to write effective answers for UPSC Civil Services Mains examinations.

It is available in both Hindi and English, making it accessible to aspirants from different linguistic backgrounds. The book quickly became popular among UPSC aspirants across India, and it reflects Srushti’s commitment to giving back to the community of students who look up to her.

Awards and Achievements

• AIR 5 in UPSC CSE 2018 — one of the most competitive examinations in the world
• 1st Rank among Women in UPSC CSE 2018, topping among 182 female candidates
• Among the youngest women to crack UPSC in her first attempt (age 23)
• Selected as Youth Icon for SVEEP by the Bhopal Election Office in 2019
• Authored “The Answer Writing” — a widely read book for UPSC aspirants (2022)
• Built a social media following of over 2 million on Instagram, using the platform to motivate young people
• Regarded as a role model for women empowerment in India’s civil services

Srushti Deshmukh IAS News – Controversy Related to Husband

In 2025, an RTI activist alleged that Srushti’s husband, Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, accepted a ₹10 crore bribe during his tenure as ADM in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, in order to reduce a ₹51 crore mining penalty to ₹4,000. Dr. Gowda denied the allegations and cited legal and procedural grounds for the penalty reduction.

It is important to note that IAS Srushti Deshmukh herself is not named or directly implicated in this matter. The allegations are against her husband in his individual capacity. No formal conviction or confirmed finding has been reported as of the time of writing this article.

Interesting Facts About Srushti Deshmukh IAS

• First Attempt Success: Srushti cleared UPSC in her very first attempt, something that very few candidates achieve.
• No Formal Coaching: She never attended a UPSC coaching institute. Her entire preparation was self-driven, using online resources and books.
• Social Media Break: She deliberately deactivated her social media accounts during UPSC preparation to avoid distractions.
• Science to Sociology: Coming from a Chemical Engineering background, she chose Sociology as her optional — a subject from a completely different field — and excelled at it.
• 93.4% in Class 12: Her exceptional academic track record started early, with near-perfect marks in her board exams.
• NCC Certificate Holder: She earned an NCC ‘A’ Certificate during her school years, reflecting her disciplined and structured personality.
• IAS Power Couple: Both she and her husband, Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, are IAS officers from the 2019 batch who met during LBSNAA training — a story that captured national attention.
• Author at 27: She published her book “The Answer Writing” in 2022, just a few years into her IAS career.
• 2 Million+ Instagram Followers: She is one of the most followed IAS officers on Instagram, where she regularly posts motivational content for aspirants.
• Viral Marksheet: Her UPSC scorecard went viral on social media and is widely referenced by aspirants studying what a top-ranked answer paper looks like.

Social Media Presence

Srushti Deshmukh IAS has a strong and active presence on social media, which is unusual for a serving government officer. She uses her platforms to motivate UPSC aspirants, share governance work, and give a glimpse of her personal and professional life.

Her Instagram and wedding-related posts have frequently gone viral, making her one of the most recognised IAS officers in India’s digital space. Her husband, Dr. Nagarjun Gowda, also has over 4 lakh followers on Instagram.

Conclusion

The story of Srushti Deshmukh IAS is a powerful reminder that talent, hard work, and the right mindset can take anyone to the top. She came from a middle-class family in Bhopal, studied from free online resources, and cracked one of India’s toughest exams in her very first attempt — at just 23 years old.

Her success as an IAS officer is not just about the rank she earned. It is about how she earned it: without elite coaching, without an urban advantage, and without giving up. She chose a subject outside her expertise, mastered it, and set a national benchmark.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Srushti Deshmukh IAS?

Srushti Deshmukh IAS is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who secured AIR 5 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018. She was the top-ranked female candidate of her batch and is currently serving in the Madhya Pradesh cadre (2019 batch).

2. What is Srushti Deshmukh IAS’s current posting?

As of the latest available information (2025–2026), Srushti Deshmukh is posted as Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. Before this, she served as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Burhanpur. Postings are subject to change as per government orders.

3. What is Srushti Deshmukh IAS’s age?

Srushti Deshmukh was born on 28 March 1995 or 1996 (exact year varies across official sources). As of 2026, she is approximately 30 years old.

4. Who is Srushti Deshmukh IAS’s husband?

Her husband is Dr. Nagarjun B. Gowda, a 2019-batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He is a qualified MBBS doctor from Karnataka who cleared UPSC CSE 2018 with AIR 418. They married on 23 April 2022.

5. What was Srushti Deshmukh’s UPSC rank?

She secured All India Rank 5 (AIR 5) in UPSC CSE 2018. She was also ranked 1st among all women candidates in that year’s exam.

6. What was Srushti Deshmukh IAS’s optional subject?

Her optional subject was Sociology. She chose it strategically because Chemical Engineering — her graduation subject — was not available as an optional subject in UPSC.

7. What is Srushti Deshmukh IAS’s educational qualification?

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Chemical Engineering from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal. She studied at Laxmi Narayan College of Technology, Bhopal.

8. How many marks did Srushti Deshmukh score in UPSC?

She scored a total of 1,068 marks out of 2,025 marks in UPSC CSE 2018. Her marksheet has been widely shared and studied by aspirants.

9. What is Srushti Deshmukh IAS’s salary per month?

As a 2019-batch IAS officer with 6–7 years of service, her approximate gross salary is between ₹80,000 and ₹1,50,000 per month as per 7th Pay Commission scales. She also receives government perks including accommodation and an official vehicle.

10. Did Srushti Deshmukh take coaching for UPSC?

No. Srushti Deshmukh did not take any formal classroom coaching for UPSC. She prepared entirely through self-study using online materials, standard books, and newspaper reading. She is often cited as proof that coaching is not mandatory to crack UPSC.

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