The journey of Rishika Singh, hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is an inspiration for many aspirants.

When Rishika decided to pursue UPPSC preparation in Delhi, her parents received a barrage of advice from relatives and acquaintances. Suggestions varied, with some urging her to prioritise marriage due to her status as the only child, while others questioned the investment in her education. Despite the external pressures, Rishika’s parents remained steadfast in their support for her aspirations.

Rishika attended college at Delhi University, although her childhood was spent in Lucknow, where she received her entire schooling education. Growing up as the only child, she resided with her parents. After completing her class examinations in Commerce, her mother encouraged her to pursue further studies at Delhi University. Rishika successfully gained admission to Daulat Ram College, where she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree.

Initially intending to pursue an MBA at Delhi University, Rishika dedicated a year to preparing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) but later reconsidered her career path. Driven by a desire to contribute to society, she contemplated becoming a teacher. Following a period of uncertainty lasting two years post-B.Com, Rishika ultimately resolved to prepare for the Civil Services Examination (UPPSC), inspired by the experiences and recommendations of her friends and family.

Rishika encountered numerous setbacks in her journey, facing failure in multiple attempts. In 2019, she made her first attempt at the PCS exam but did not clear the prelims. Undeterred, she continued her efforts and appeared for the Mains in 2020 but fell short of qualifying for the interview stage. Despite her persistence, Rishika faced another disappointment in 2021 when she once again failed to clear the interview stage. Additionally, she also attempted the PCS examinations but was unsuccessful in this endeavour as well.

In an interview with the media, Rishika revealed that she returned to Lucknow in 2021. During this period, people began pressuring her parents to arrange her marriage quickly, criticising her for travelling back and forth between Delhi and Lucknow. Despite facing societal pressure and taunts, Rishika remained steadfast in her determination to pursue her aspirations. Strengthening her resolve, she prioritised her preparation efforts.

Ultimately, her perseverance paid off when she achieved success in the UPPSC exams in 2022, securing the rank of 80. After several attempts, Rishika realised her dream of becoming a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) by clearing the UPPSC PCS exam. Currently, she is undergoing training at the Police Training College located in Moradabad.