- Dr. Preeti Yadav is an IAS officer from the 2014 batch, currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, Punjab.
- She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2015 on her third attempt, securing All India Rank 145.
- Born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, she has a Mechanical Engineering degree from HBTI Kanpur.
- Her preparation strategy included coaching, test series, and extensive use of online resources, with Public Administration as her optional subject.
- An unexpected detail: She scored 918 in the 2015 CSE, with strong performances in both written (731) and interview (187) stages.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Preeti Yadav was born and raised in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in a middle-class family. Her father is a Junior Engineer in the state government, and her mother is a homemaker. As the eldest sibling, she has been a role model for her family. Academically, she excelled, scoring 80.2% in Class 10 and 74% in Class 12. She pursued Mechanical Engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical Institute (HBTI), Kanpur, graduating with 77%, which laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors.
IAS Journey and Preparation
Driven by a desire to serve the nation, Preeti prepared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. It took her three attempts to succeed, finally achieving All India Rank 145 in 2015. She chose Public Administration as her optional subject, which played a key role in her success. Her preparation was thorough, self-study using standard books such as NCERT for core subjects, Laxmikant for Polity. She also relied heavily on current affairs from The Hindu, Indian Express, and magazines like Yojna and Kurukshetra. Preeti solved numerous mock papers for Prelims and integrated her preparation for both Prelims and Mains, except for GS Paper 4 and a few selected portions. In the 2015 CSE, she scored 731 in the written examination (Essay: 146, GS1: 99, GS2: 89, GS3: 102, GS4: 87, Optional: 104 each) and 187 in the Personality Test, totaling 918.
Career and Current Role
After clearing the UPSC, Preeti joined the Indian Administrative Service in the 2014 batch. She has served in various capacities, including as Additional Deputy Commissioner in Patiala, before being elevated to Deputy Commissioner in September 2024. In her current role, she is focused on ensuring government schemes reach the grassroots level and encourages public participation in Patiala’s development.
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Comprehensive Biography of Dr. Preeti Yadav, IAS
Dr. Preeti Yadav stands as a prominent figure in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), currently holding the position of Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, Punjab, as of September 2024. Her journey from a small town in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to a key administrative role is a narrative of perseverance, strategic preparation, and commitment to public service. This note provides a detailed exploration of her life, education, IAS preparation, and professional career, drawing from various reliable sources to ensure a comprehensive and plagiarism-free account.
Early Life and Family Background
Dr. Preeti Yadav was born and raised in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in a middle-class family. Her father is employed as a Junior Engineer in the state government, while her mother is a homemaker. As the eldest sibling, Preeti has been a source of inspiration for her family, embodying the values of hard work and determination. This background, rooted in modest means, shaped her aspirations to serve the nation through civil services.
Educational Journey
Preeti’s academic journey began with strong performances in school, scoring 80.2% in Class 10 and 74% in Class 12, reflecting her early dedication to studies. She pursued higher education in Mechanical Engineering at Harcourt Butler Technical Institute (HBTI), Kanpur, graduating with a commendable 77%. This engineering background, now part of IIT Kanpur, provided her with analytical skills that later proved invaluable in her UPSC preparation.
UPSC Preparation and Success
Inspired to serve the nation, Preeti embarked on the challenging path of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her journey was not without hurdles; it took three attempts to achieve success. In 2015, she secured an All India Rank of 145, a significant milestone that highlighted her resilience. She chose Public Administration as her optional subject, a decision that aligned with her administrative aspirations.
Her preparation strategy was multifaceted, involving both formal coaching and self-study. She attended classes at Vajiram & Ravi in 2012 and later benefited from GS Score for contemporary issues. Her study materials included a wide range of resources: NCERT books for geography, economy, history, biology, and chemistry; Laxmikant for Polity; Bipin Chandra and Spectrum for history; and the Economic Survey and India Year Book for additional insights.
Preeti’s approach to preparation was strategic. She focused on analyzing previous years’ question papers, solving numerous mock papers for Prelims, and integrating her Prelims and Mains preparation, except for GS Paper 4 and a few selected portions. She joined test series from GS Score, Synergy, and Lukman IAS, which helped refine her answer-writing skills.
Her efforts paid off in the 2015 CSE, where she scored as follows:
| Paper | Score |
|---|---|
| Essay (Paper 1) | 146 |
| GS 1 (Paper 2) | 99 |
| GS 2 (Paper 3) | 89 |
| GS 3 (Paper 4) | 102 |
| GS 4 (Paper 5) | 87 |
| Optional 1 (Paper 6) | 104 |
| Optional 2 (Paper 7) | 104 |
| Written Total | 731 |
| Personality Test | 187 |
| Total Score | 918 |
This detailed breakdown underscores her balanced performance across all stages. Her previous attempts also provide insight into her growth: in 2014, she scored 595 in the written examination, and in 2013, she scored 563 in the written and 124 in the Personality Test, totaling 687.
Professional Career and Current Role
Upon clearing the UPSC, Preeti joined the IAS in the 2014 batch, marking the beginning of her administrative career. She has held various positions, with a notable tenure as Additional Deputy Commissioner in Patiala before her elevation to Deputy Commissioner in September 2024.
In her current role, Dr. Yadav is committed to ensuring that government schemes reach the grassroots level, aligning with the Chief Minister’s directives and public demand. She has expressed familiarity with the district, having previously served there, and encourages public participation in environmental initiatives and the district’s development.
Inspiration and Legacy
Preeti’s journey is a beacon for aspiring civil servants. She emphasizes persistence and revision as her basic mantras of success, advising aspirants to do their part with zeal, learn from mistakes, and turn them into weapons for success. Her story underscores the importance of strategic preparation, leveraging both traditional and digital resources, and maintaining resilience in the face of challenges.
Additional Notes
An interesting aspect of her preparation was her use of online platforms, which included not only study materials but also community support through forums. Her scores in previous attempts (595 in 2014, 687 in 2013) reflect her gradual improvement, a detail that highlights the iterative nature of UPSC preparation. Furthermore, her role as Deputy Commissioner comes at a critical time, adding to the complexity of her responsibilities.
This comprehensive biography captures Dr. Preeti Yadav’s life, from her humble beginnings to her current administrative role, providing a detailed and unique account for readers interested in her journey and contributions.