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Punjab : Aastha Singh Becomes One of India’s Youngest IAS Officers at 21, Clears UPSC Without Coaching
Punjab : At 21, an age when many are still trying to figure out their path in life, Aastha Singh has made history by becoming one of the youngest IAS officers in the country. She cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2024 — remarkably, without attending any coaching classes.
Born in Panchkula and currently residing in Zirakpur, Aastha’s inspiring journey is rooted in simplicity, determination, and strong values. Her ancestral home is in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Raised in a family that emphasized education and discipline, Aastha was instilled with a strong value system from an early age. Her father, Brijesh Singh, serves as the quality head at a pharmaceutical company, and the family has always prioritized integrity and learning.
Aastha completed her schooling in Panchkula, pursued a degree in commerce, and later graduated in economics from the prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi. Instead of enrolling in coaching or taking a break after college, she returned home and prepared for the UPSC through self-study — relying entirely on discipline, routine, and a clear vision.
Her preparation strategy was simple yet effective. She minimized distractions, stayed close to her family, and focused completely on her goal. “I always knew I wanted to work in public service. My grandfather used to say I’d become a collector one day — that always stayed with me,” Aastha shared with a smile during an interview.
Even before appearing for the UPSC, Aastha had cleared the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) exam in 2024, securing Rank 31. She was appointed as an Assistant Excise and Taxation Officer and continued her UPSC preparation while serving in that role.
What makes Aastha’s story exceptional is not just her academic excellence, but also her grounded outlook. Composed and confident, she believes that civil servants should stay connected with the people and remain humble. She also strongly advocates for women’s empowerment and hopes to make a significant impact in that area during her administrative career.
In an era where the UPSC journey is often associated with long hours of coaching and years of preparation, Aastha’s story proves that self-discipline, focus, and clarity of purpose are equally powerful. Her remarkable success has not only made her family and hometown proud but has also inspired aspirants across the country.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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