In a world where language often defines access, power, and self-worth, Surabhi Gautam’s journey is a reminder that grit and determination can break through the toughest barriers. Hailing from a small village in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district, Surabhi became an IAS officer by securing the 50th rank in the 2016 UPSC Civil Services Examination , a remarkable achievement forged through sheer perseverance, despite language and social obstacles.
Surabhi grew up in a traditional, rural environment. Her father worked as a lawyer in the civil court, and her mother was a schoolteacher. Though her village lacked proper infrastructure, resources, or coaching institutes, she topped both her Class 10 and 12 board exams , relying purely on self-study and government schooling. Hindi was the medium of instruction throughout her early education, a factor that would later pose a significant challenge.
Her life changed when she became the first girl from her village to step into a city for higher studies. She joined Bhopal Engineering College to pursue a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication. But her first day at college wasn’t filled with joy,but with humiliation. As a Hindi-medium student, she couldn’t introduce herself in English. Her classmates mocked her; a professor even doubted whether she had legitimately cleared her previous exams. Devastated but not defeated, Surabhi decided to conquer the language that had become a barrier. She began learning 10 new English words daily, plastered her room with vocabulary notes, and devoured engineering textbooks in English, and eventually topping her university and earning a gold medal.
From there, her story only soared. Surabhi cracked multiple elite exams: ISRO, GAIL, SAIL, SSC CGL, MPPSC, and even topped the Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam in 2013. She worked as a nuclear scientist at BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Center), yet her long-term goal remained the civil services. In 2016, she made it happen, joining the IAS with AIR 50.
Currently serving as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Viramgam, Gujarat, Surabhi has led efforts in public health during the COVID-19 crisis, streamlined land record management, and even initiated the restoration of a century-old local school.
Despite her administrative responsibilities, Surabhi hasn’t let go of her creative side. She’s a passionate watercolor painter, a motivational speaker, and maintains a blog to share her insights. Art, she says, is her stress buster — the more tired she feels, the more she sketches.
Surabhi Gautam’s story is more than a tale of clearing UPSC. It’s about defeating doubt, defying stereotypes, and showing millions of young people from small towns and Hindi-medium backgrounds that no barrier — not even language — is permanent. With her relentless drive and compassion, she continues to inspire a generation dreaming of changing the world.
