Kanpur Betel Seller's Daughter Tops UP Judicial Exam

Nishi Gupta secured the first rank in the UP PCS-J 2022 examination after overcoming financial challenges and societal expectations. Born in Kanpur in a joint-family setup, she is the daughter of a small betel shop owner who struggled to pay school fees and buy books. She completed her schooling in Kanpur, and her passion for law began in Class 12. Following school, she earned her LLB and LLM degrees from Allahabad University, becoming the first person in her family to enter the legal profession.

Family Support and Preparation

Her father supported her education despite facing criticism and taunts from relatives for prioritizing studies over marriage, unlike her elder sister who married at age 23. During her preparation, Nishi used her elder sister's old books and relied on a study partner for motivation. She followed a 3R formula consisting of repetition, retention, and reproduction to crack the exam, and also worked on improving her English language skills for legal concepts.

Career Milestone

Before her success, she reached the interview stage in the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan PCS-J examinations but missed selection. She identified her weaknesses, worked on them, and eventually topped the UP PCS-J 2022 exam. Today, she serves as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) and Judicial Magistrate in the Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh.

Context

Judicial service examinations in India are highly competitive state-level tests conducted to select civil judges and magistrates. Candidates must hold a law degree to be eligible to appear for these rigorous selection processes. Success in such exams often requires extensive preparation and multiple attempts, as seen in candidates who face initial setbacks in other states before clearing their home state tests.