Meet Dyutirupa Padhiyari, who secured rank 48 in the Odisha Civil Services Exam 2026. Discover her inspiring journey, preparation tips, and dedication to integrity
OdishaPlus Bureau
Before she knew what the civil services examination was, Dyutirupa Padhiyari of Bhubaneswar already knew she wanted to serve. Years later, that childhood dream earned her the 48th rank in the Odisha Civil Services Examination 2026 on her first attempt.
In an exclusive interaction with Odisha Live, she spoke about the values that shaped her journey, the discipline behind her success, and why she believes no system’s pressure should ever outweigh integrity in public service.
Guided by principles, not pressure
As she prepares for a career in administration, Dyutirupa believes a civil servant’s greatest responsibility is to remain true to their principles. Asked whether future pressures could influence her decisions, she said her values and the Bhagavad Gita guide her.
“Though I am not very spiritual, I sometimes read the Bhagavad Gita. The shloka that inspires me is ‘सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ। ततो युद्धाय युज्यस्व नैवं पापमवाप्स्यसि॥’,” she said.
She added that as long as her actions are lawful, no external pressure can sway her. “I don’t fear losing my job, but I won’t let the system’s pressure change my mindset,” she said.
A childhood dream of becoming an administrator
For Dyutirupa, the dream of public service began long before she knew about the civil services examination. “From childhood, I dreamed of becoming an administrator. My father shared the same dream and often told me stories about how the government and administrative system work,” she said.
She recalled that her family introduced her to governance in an unusual way. “As a child, I was scared of the government because I didn’t understand its role. While other families warned children that a ghost would take them if they misbehaved, mine would say the government would take me instead,” she said.
Preparation beyond counting study hours
Sharing her preparation strategy, Dyutirupa said success in competitive exams should not be measured by hours spent studying, as every aspirant learns differently.
“Some may need only two hours, while others may not be sufficiently prepared even after 10 hours,” she said.
She stressed that consistency and discipline matter more than a fixed timetable, advising aspirants to focus on completing targets rather than watching the clock.
She credited her success to three years of UPSC preparation, guidance from mentors, mock tests and the right resources. “I always thank God for giving me the right mentors at the right time,” she said.
A journey supported by family and friends
Although Dyutirupa prepared from home, she credited her success to the guidance and support of many people. She advised aspirants not to rely solely on success-story videos.
“I also believed I could prepare entirely on my own by watching such videos, but it took me off track and I even lost money without benefiting,” she said.
She instead took offline mock tests, associated with different organisations and enrolled in online coaching to save travel time.
Thanking her friends Divya, Surjya and Saswat for their constant support, she added, “Not 100 percent, I got 1000 percent support from my parents and family members.”
Values of service over personal gain
Coming from a family rooted in public service, Dyutirupa said integrity has always guided her. Her grandfather was an OAS officer, and she grew up watching her father serve people regardless of his financial condition. “I have seen my father serve people when he had no money and when he had money,” she said.
Responding to questions about corruption, she said these experiences shaped her values. Recalling difficult phases, she said her family never pursued luxury, and neither does she.
“I cleared this prestigious exam through hard work and the selfless love and blessings of my family and friends. I don’t think I will ever become greedy for money,” she said.
A vision focused on women empowerment and society
Dyutirupa said every government service offers an opportunity to bring change, whether it is Group A or Group B. “If you prioritise money, you cannot give true service,” she said.
As an officer, she hopes to work on women’s empowerment, education, healthcare and sanitation. Citing her upbringing, she said she witnessed true feminism at home, where her mother earned and her father cooked.
“My mother never told me to learn household chores because I am a girl; instead, she used to scold my brother to learn them,” she said.
Staying humble after success
Dyutirupa believes success should never change how a person treats others. She said her father showed the same respect to influential people and childhood friends, while her grandfather was also known for his humility as an administrator.
“I always have this mindset of helping everyone I meet to the best of my ability,” she said. Beyond academics, she enjoys painting, exploring new art styles and reading books on feminism and fiction.
Her journey to the Odisha Civil Services reflects the values she hopes to uphold in public service – fairness, humility and the courage to stand by what is right.