Shah Margi Chirag UPSC Topper Story (Batch 2024) – Age, Education, Marks, Marriage, Personal Life
Shah Margi Chirag, a 26-year-old from Ahmedabad, secured AIR 4 in UPSC 2024. This biography details her 5-attempt journey and Sociology strategy.
In this article, we have discussed Shah Margi Chirag’s Biography, her journey, education, family, rank, attempts, optional subject, personal life and other related information.
शाह मार्गी चिराग, अहमदाबाद की 26 वर्षीय इंजीनियर, ने यूपीएससी 2024 में AIR 4 हासिल की। यह उनकी जीवनी है। अपने पिता को खोने के बाद, उन्होंने 5 प्रयासों में यह सफलता पाई। उनका वैकल्पिक विषय समाजशास्त्र (Sociology) था। उनकी यह कहानी दृढ़ता और कड़ी मेहनत का प्रतीक है।
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Shah Margi Chirag |
| Hometown | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Age (Current Year) | 26 (as of 2025) |
| Birth Year | 1999 |
| Father | Chirag Shah (Engineer, Deceased) |
| Mother | Rupa Shah (Schoolteacher) |
| All India Rank in UPSC CSE | 4 (UPSC CSE 2024) |
| Roll Number in UPSC 2024 | Not Available |
| Optional Subject | Sociology (Previously PSIR) |
| Graduation | B.E. Computer Engineering, L.D. College of Engineering |
| School | St. Xavier’s High School, Gandhinagar |
| UPSC Attempts | 5 |
| Total Marks Obtained in UPSC 2024 | 1,035 |
| Preferred Services | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Interests | Reading, Social Work, Food, Crafts |
| Books Written | Not Available |
Shah Margi Chirag Education
Shah Margi Chirag’s education began at St. Ann’s High School (92.7% in 10th) and continued at St. Xavier’s High School, Gandhinagar (90.31%). This strong academic start in Gujarat laid the groundwork for her future engineering studies and UPSC success.
She pursued a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad, graduating in 2020 with an impressive 9.21 CGPA.
Despite her B.E. in Computer Engineering, Margi made a strategic pivot. Her engineering background gave her strong analytical skills, but she chose Sociology for UPSC, aligning with her interest in social structures. This interdisciplinary jump from a non-IIT college makes her journey unique.
Shah Margi Chirag Preparation Strategy
Margi’s hobbies, like reading and her interest in food (seen on her @foody.tongue account), provided a necessary balance. These interests helped her manage the stress of her 5-attempt journey and gave her a well-rounded personality, which reflected in her high interview score.
Margi’s strategy evolved from her Computer Engineering base. She joined Vajiram & Ravi for a structured foundation and built micro-notes from NCERTs using flowcharts. She also used the “IDEA-DATA-STORY” model for her essay writing, showing a methodical approach.
Shah Margi Chirag Notes: Margi created micro-notes from standard texts using keywords and diagrams. She integrated data from government reports like the Economic Survey, NITI Aayog, and PIB, enriching her answers.
Standard Textbook: She focused on foundational NCERTs (Class 6-12) and standard texts. For Sociology, she did a deep study of thinkers like Weber, Marx, and Durkheim, applying their concepts.
Online Resources: She used the Hurricane Program and Chetak Test Series for answer writing. She also enrolled in the Vision IAS All India Test Series, Abhyaas Mocks, and their Interview Guidance Programme.
Shah Margi Chirag Achievements: Shah Margi Chirag’s main achievement is securing AIR 4 in UPSC 2024. This success came in her 5th attempt after overcoming personal tragedy (losing her father in 2017) and multiple previous failures (2 Prelims, 2 Mains/Interview). She is one of three women in the top 5. Concurrently, she also cleared the GPSC exam, securing Rank 55 and a post as a State Tax Officer.
Shah Margi Chirag UPSC Journey
Margi began her UPSC journey around 2019, during her final year of engineering. Her motivation was deeply rooted in her mother’s example as a teacher and her late father’s memory. Her first two attempts (2019, 2020) were setbacks, as she failed to clear the Prelims stage.
In her 3rd attempt, she experimented with PSIR optional but failed at Mains. In her 4th, she reached the interview. This gradual progress showed her resilience. Her 5th attempt in 2024, with Sociology as her optional, was her breakthrough, landing her AIR 4 and the IAS.
Standard Text Books: For Sociology, her preparation was intense, focusing on core sociological thinkers and their application. For GS, she relied on NCERTs and standard reference books, supplemented by government reports.
Online Resources: She practiced over 1,000 answers using platforms like the Hurricane Program and Chetak Test Series. VisionIAS test series and interview guidance were also key to her final success.
Current Affairs: Margi was meticulous about current affairs. She read newspapers daily and integrated data from official sources like PRS India, NITI Aayog reports, and the Economic Survey into her notes.
Last Attempt and Success: Her fifth attempt in 2024 was the culmination of five years of strategic effort. She scored a total of 1,035 marks, with a very high 210 in the interview, which was decisive.
Shah Margi Chirag Rank in UPSC
Shah Margi Chirag secured the All India Rank 4 (AIR 4) in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. This placed her among the top three women toppers of the year.
Shah Margi Chirag Attempts in UPSC
Margi’s journey took five attempts. She failed Prelims twice (2019, 2020), failed Mains in her third attempt (with PSIR optional), and reached the interview in her fourth. Her fifth attempt in 2024, with Sociology optional, led to her AIR 4 success, showing remarkable perseverance.
Shah Margi Chirag Optional Subjects
Margi’s optional subject was Sociology. This was a strategic pivot after her third attempt, where she had used PSIR. Despite her Computer Engineering background, she chose Sociology for its high scoring potential and overlap with GS papers. She excelled, scoring 291 marks (170+121).
Shah Margi Chirag UPSC Marks
The following is the Shah Margi Chirag’s marksheet from the Civil Services Examination 2024 is given below:
| Category | Marks Obtained |
|---|---|
| Written Total Marks | 825 |
| Interview/Personality Test | 210 |
| Final Marks Obtained | 1,035 |
Shah Margi Chirag Personal Life
Shah Margi Chirag’s personal life is defined by resilience. Born in Ahmedabad, she faced a major tragedy in 2017 with the sudden passing of her father, Chirag Shah. Her mother, Rupa Shah, a schoolteacher, became her rock.
As of 2025, Shah Margi Chirag is 26 years old and unmarried, having dedicated the past five years to her singular goal of clearing the UPSC exam.
Her mother, Rupa Shah, was her primary support system. Her mother’s profession as a teacher instilled the values of knowledge and perseverance. Margi often credits her late father as her greatest inspiration, channeling her grief into determination.
Shah Margi Chirag Age
Shah Margi Chirag is 26 years old as of 2025. Born in 1999, she began her UPSC journey right after her engineering graduation in 2020. Achieving AIR 4 at 26, after five attempts, highlights her sustained focus.
Shah Margi Chirag Current Posting
Shah Margi Chirag has been allotted the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), her preferred choice. She will undergo foundational training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie before receiving her state cadre posting.
Shah Margi Chirag Family Background
She comes from an educated family in Ahmedabad. Her father, the late Chirag Shah, was an engineer. Her mother, Rupa Shah, is a schoolteacher. Her father’s death in 2017 was a turning point, strengthening her resolve for public service.
Shah Margi Chirag Author’s Page
While not a published author, Margi is active on social media. She uses her Instagram account, @margi_shah20, to share motivational content and insights from her journey. She also has a popular account, @margi92.
Her literary interests are evident in her hobbies, which include reading. She also runs a food-focused Instagram account, @foody.tongue, showcasing her diverse interests outside of academics. Her motto is “Be like a sun, keep shining”.
Shah Margi Chirag Interests and Hobbies
The following is the interests and hobbies reveal her multifaceted personality and interests is given below in key points:
- Reading: Her primary hobby is reading, which extends beyond the UPSC syllabus. This passion for intellectual pursuits helped her in the Essay paper and in developing a nuanced understanding of social issues, which was vital for her Sociology optional.
- Food Appreciation: Margi is a food enthusiast and even runs a dedicated Instagram food account, @foody.tongue. This interest highlights her well-rounded personality and her appreciation for culinary culture, providing a much-needed break from her rigorous study schedule.
- Crafts: Her Instagram bio (@margi_shah20) suggests an interest in crafts, with the line “Bringing dreams to life, one stitch at a time.” This creative outlet likely served as a form of stress relief and a way to maintain balance.
Shah Margi Chirag Interesting Facts
The following are some interesting facts related to an Shah Margi Chirag is given below:
- Shah Margi Chirag faced significant personal tragedy, losing her father, an engineer, to cardiac failure in 2017 while she was still in college.
- It took her five attempts to secure AIR 4. She failed Prelims twice, Mains once (with PSIR optional), and the interview once before her final success.
- She is a Computer Engineer from L.D. College of Engineering but strategically chose Sociology as her optional, scoring an impressive 291 marks in it.
- While preparing for UPSC, she also cleared the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) exam, securing Rank 55 and a post as State Tax Officer.
- She scored an exceptionally high 210 out of 275 in her UPSC Personality Test (Interview), which was key to her top-5 rank.
Shah Margi Chirag Wind-Up
Shah Margi Chirag’s biography is a powerful story of triumph over adversity. Her 5-attempt journey, marked by the personal loss of her father, shows incredible resilience. Her strategic pivot from Computer Engineering to Sociology, and her persistence through multiple failures, is a lesson for all. Securing AIR 4 is not just a rank; it’s a testament to her philosophy to “keep shining” no matter the challenge. The Shah Margi Chirag story will inspire aspirants to believe that perseverance can turn any dream into reality.
