Surabhi Gautam: From Rural Roots to IAS Success

Surabhi Gautam's journey from a small village to becoming an IAS officer is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite facing challenges with the English language, she transformed her weaknesses into strengths through hard work and dedication. Surabhi excelled academically, overcoming obstacles to achieve top ranks in various competitive exams. Her story is not just about academic success but also about pursuing one's dreams against all odds. Currently serving as the Collector and District Magistrate of Dahod district in Gujarat, Surabhi's inspiring tale motivates many aspiring civil servants.

By Ambika Singh Sep 9, 2026, 08:49 IST

An Inspiring Transformation

Inspiring Journey: Surabhi Gautam, who was born in a small village, faced ridicule for her English skills. Even after reaching a city college, she encountered challenges due to the language barrier. Instead of succumbing to her weaknesses, she chose to improve. Through daily practice and dedication, Surabhi enhanced her English proficiency and consistently excelled in her studies.

Academic Excellence from Childhood

Born on August 21, 1991, Surabhi comes from a family of achievers; her father is a lawyer and her mother a teacher. She began her education at a government school in her village, where she scored a perfect 100 in mathematics in the fifth-grade MP board results. Surabhi maintained over 90% in both her 10th and 12th grades, which fueled her ambition to succeed further.

Overcoming English Challenges

Transitioning from a Hindi medium school to a city college, Surabhi found English to be a significant hurdle. On her first day, she struggled to introduce herself in English, leading to mockery from peers and skepticism from a teacher regarding her abilities. Determined to improve, she committed to learning ten new English words daily and practiced speaking in front of a mirror.

Leaving a Job for UPSC Aspirations

Surabhi completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from Rajiv Gandhi Technical University in Bhopal, where she was the top student and received the Chancellor's Award. After graduation, she secured a well-paying job at TCS but chose to resign to pursue her dream of joining the civil services.

Achieving IAS After Multiple Exams

In 2013, Surabhi achieved an all-India rank of 1 in the UPSC Engineering Services Examination. She also qualified for various other exams, including MPPSC, PCS, ISRO, BARC Scientist, GATE, and SSC CGL. In 2016, she opted for Electrical Engineering as her optional subject in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, securing the 50th rank and becoming an IAS officer. Currently, she serves as the Collector and District Magistrate of Dahod district in Gujarat.