Saloni Verma IAS cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 with All India Rank (AIR) 70 in her second attempt, without any coaching — and today serves as a top administrative officer in Meghalaya.
Contents
- Quick Stats Table – Saloni Verma IAS
- Who Is Saloni Verma IAS?
- Early Life & Family Background
- Saloni Verma IAS Education – The Academic Foundation
- The UPSC Journey – Saloni Verma IAS Attempts
- Saloni Verma IAS Optional – The Strategic Choice
- Saloni Verma IAS Cadre – Assam-Meghalaya
- Saloni Verma IAS Posting – Career Journey in Meghalaya
- Saloni Verma IAS Age – Born 1997, Serving at 29
- Saloni Verma IAS Marriage & Personal Life
- Work in Meghalaya – Impact on Ground
- Saloni Verma IAS vs Peers – 2021 Batch, AM Cadre
- Salary & Pay Details (Approximate, As Per IAS Pay Matrix)
- Lessons from Saloni Verma IAS for UPSC Aspirants
- Conclusion – The Saloni Verma IAS Story in a Nutshell
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1. What is Saloni Verma IAS Age in 2026?
- Q2. What is Saloni Verma IAS current posting in 2026?
- Q3. What is Saloni Verma IAS Optional subject?
- Q4. How many attempts did Saloni Verma take to clear UPSC?
- Q5. What is Saloni Verma IAS Cadre?
- Q6. Who is Saloni Verma IAS Husband?
- Q7. What is Saloni Verma IAS Graduation background?
Quick Stats Table – Saloni Verma IAS
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Saloni Verma |
| Date of Birth | 26 July 1997 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Jamshedpur, Jharkhand |
| Grew Up In | Delhi |
| School | Convent of Jesus and Mary, Delhi |
| Graduation | B.A. (Hons) English, Hindu College, University of Delhi (2019) |
| UPSC Exam Year | UPSC CSE 2020 |
| UPSC AIR | 70 |
| Attempts | 2 (First: 2018, Cleared: 2020) |
| Optional Subject | Political Science & International Relations (PSIR) |
| IAS Batch | 2021 |
| IAS Cadre | Assam-Meghalaya (AM Cadre) |
| Domicile State | Delhi |
| Current Posting (2026) | Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Meghalaya (since 03 March 2025) |
| Coaching Taken? | None – 100% Self-Study |
| Husband | Not publicly disclosed |
| Total Postings | 4 (across 3 locations) |
| Years in Service | ~5 Years |
Who Is Saloni Verma IAS?
- Saloni Verma cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2020 with an All India Rank of 70.
- She achieved this success in her second attempt.
- She belongs to the 2021 IAS batch.
- She was allocated the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
- Her UPSC journey is an example of succeeding through consistent preparation and self-discipline.
- Her journey can be particularly useful for aspirants interested in understanding how self-study can be structured for UPSC preparation.
Early Life & Family Background
- Saloni Verma was born on 26 July 1997 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
- Despite her Jharkhand roots, Saloni spent almost her entire life in Delhi.
- Her father works at the Supreme Court of India — a detail that likely gave her a close-up view of how governance and law shape people’s lives.
- Her mother is a homemaker.
- She has a younger brother.
- Growing up in Delhi, Saloni was surrounded by the buzz of competitive exams, government offices, and ambitious peers — the perfect backdrop for an IAS dream.
Saloni Verma IAS Education – The Academic Foundation
- Saloni Verma IAS Education began at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School, New Delhi — one of the most prestigious schools in the capital.
- She pursued the Science stream from Class 1 through Class 12.
- In Class 10, she scored an impressive 89%.
- In Class 12, she scored 95% in Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology).
- After school, she enrolled at Hindu College, University of Delhi for a B.A. (Hons) in English Literature, graduating in 2019 with 74% overall.
Saloni Verma IAS Graduation – Key Details
| Level | Institution | Subject | Year | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 10 | Convent of Jesus and Mary, Delhi | All Subjects | — | 89% |
| Class 12 | Convent of Jesus and Mary, Delhi | Science (PCB) | — | 95% |
| Graduation | Hindu College, University of Delhi | B.A. (Hons) English | 2019 | 74% |
- Saloni Verma IAS Graduation from Hindu College, DU is notable — she switched from a science background to humanities at the undergraduate level, which shows her intellectual flexibility and maturity.
- Her interest in political science developed during the last two semesters of college, which later shaped her choice of optional subject for UPSC.
The UPSC Journey – Saloni Verma IAS Attempts
- Saloni Verma IAS Attempts count stands at just two — a testament to how focussed and efficient her preparation was.
Saloni Verma IAS Attempts – Timeline
| Attempt | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Attempt | 2018 | Did not clear — insufficient preparation |
| 2nd Attempt | UPSC CSE 2020 | Cleared with AIR 70 |
- She started her UPSC preparation immediately after graduation in 2019.
- Her first attempt in 2018 came during college itself — she admits she was “not adequately prepared” at that time.
- She took the 2020 exam after a focused, structured self-study plan.
- The result? All India Rank 70 in UPSC CSE 2020.
Saloni Verma IAS Optional – The Strategic Choice
- Saloni Verma IAS Optional subject was Political Science & International Relations (PSIR).
Why PSIR?
- She developed a genuine interest in Political Science during her last two semesters at Hindu College.
- She did not join any coaching specifically for her optional subject.
- She studied using notes from previous years’ toppers and some additional market notes.
- PSIR is considered one of the more reliable optional subjects for candidates with a strong reading habit — and Saloni, an English Literature graduate, had exactly that.
Saloni Verma’s Booklist (Subject-wise)
| Subject | Preparation Approach |
|---|---|
| PSIR Optional | Previous toppers’ notes + market notes, no coaching |
| GS Papers | Self-study, UPSC syllabus-based approach |
| Essay | Reading, practice writing |
| Interview | Understanding current affairs, self-confidence |
Saloni Verma IAS Cadre – Assam-Meghalaya
- Saloni Verma IAS Cadre is the Assam-Meghalaya (AM) cadre — one of the joint cadres in India.
- Her domicile state on official DoPT records is Delhi.
- Her officer identity code is 01AM120C02.
- She joined the service through Direct Recruitment via the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
- She began her foundational training at LdSNA (Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration), Arunachal Pradesh on 5 December 2021.
- She has completed 4 recorded training programmes during her service so far.
Saloni Verma IAS Posting – Career Journey in Meghalaya
- Saloni Verma IAS Posting history shows a fast-paced, field-heavy career trajectory.
- She has held 4 distinct postings across 3 locations in about 5 years of service.
Full Posting History – Saloni Verma IAS Meghalaya
| S.No | Posting | Location | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Block Development Officer (BDO), Mylliem | Meghalaya | Field-level grassroots posting |
| 2 | Assistant Commissioner / Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) | Sohra (Cherrapunji), Meghalaya | Also held charge as Additional Deputy Commissioner |
| 3 | Deputy Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Dept. | Shillong, Meghalaya | Transferred per Gazette dated February 27, 2025 |
| 4 | Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Dept. | Shillong, Meghalaya | Current posting since 03 March 2025 |
- Saloni Verma IAS Meghalaya experience is rich and diverse — from BDO-level grassroots development work to policy-level director roles.
- She also holds additional charge as:
- Executive Director, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency
- Additional Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Travel and Efficient Mobility Society (STEMS)
- Additional Project Director, KfW-driven Sustainable Land Management Project
Saloni Verma IAS Age – Born 1997, Serving at 29
- Saloni Verma IAS Age as of September 2026 is 29 years.
- She was born on 26 July 1997.
- She cracked UPSC at 23 years of age — making her one of the younger IAS officers of her batch.
- By the time she turned 28, she was already heading a Director-level department in Meghalaya.
Age vs Career Milestone Comparison
| Milestone | Age |
|---|---|
| Graduated from Hindu College | 21-22 |
| First UPSC attempt | ~21 |
| Cleared UPSC CSE 2020 (AIR 70) | 23 |
| Joined IAS (2021 Batch) | 24 |
| First field posting (BDO, Mylliem) | 24-25 |
| SDO (Civil), Sohra | 25-26 |
| Director, Food & CS Dept. | 27-28 |
Saloni Verma IAS Marriage & Personal Life
- Saloni Verma IAS Marriage details are not publicly available or officially confirmed.
- Saloni Verma IAS Husband information has not been disclosed in any official or verified public record.
- She maintains a relatively private personal life, which is common among serving IAS officers.
- She is known for her blog writing and has written a year-end blog about “moving cities, growing up, and discovering myself through fashion.”
- She has spoken publicly about places like Amlarem, Meghalaya, calling it a must-visit for nature lovers.
Work in Meghalaya – Impact on Ground
- Saloni Verma has worked across different layers of Meghalaya’s administration.
- As BDO in Mylliem, she worked directly with village communities.
- As SDO in Sohra, she managed sub-divisional civil administration in one of India’s most geographically challenging areas.
- As Director, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, she oversees food security and supply chains for the state.
- She is also involved in Meghalaya’s agricultural identity — the state’s strategy around Lakadong turmeric, ginger, black pepper, bay leaf, Kew pineapples, and Khasi Mandarin oranges.
Saloni Verma IAS vs Peers – 2021 Batch, AM Cadre
| Officer | Batch | Cadre | Notable Posting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloni Verma | 2021 | Assam-Meghalaya | Director, Food & CS, Meghalaya |
| Kriti Chachra | 2021 | Assam-Meghalaya | SDO (Sadar), Dibrugarh |
| Srishti Singh | 2021 | Assam-Meghalaya | SDO (Sadar), Kamrup (M) |
| Jay Vikas | 2021 | Assam-Meghalaya | SDO (Sadar), Dhubri |
| Abhishek Saini | 2021 | Assam-Meghalaya | Meghalaya |
Salary & Pay Details (Approximate, As Per IAS Pay Matrix)
| Component | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 10 (Junior Time Scale) |
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100/month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹39,537/month (varies) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | ₹3,600/month |
| DA on TA | ₹612/month |
| Gross Approximate | ~₹1,00,000+/month |
Lessons from Saloni Verma IAS for UPSC Aspirants
| Lesson | What She Did |
|---|---|
| Don’t wait for coaching | Cracked UPSC AIR 70 fully on self-study |
| Use your graduation wisely | English Literature background helped her reading and writing |
| First attempt = practice | Treated 2018 attempt as a trial run |
| Know your interests | Chose PSIR because she liked it, not because it was popular |
| Stick to the schedule | Rigid daily timetable was her backbone |
| Stay curious | Still explores, writes blogs, gardens in Meghalaya |
Conclusion – The Saloni Verma IAS Story in a Nutshell
- Saloni Verma is one of the finest examples of what focused self-study, strategic subject choice, and genuine love for public service can achieve.
- Saloni Verma IAS Cadre — Assam-Meghalaya — has given her exposure to some of India’s most unique terrain and tribal governance structures.
- Saloni Verma IAS Meghalaya postings have been varied: from grassroots BDO work in Mylliem, to field-level SDO work in Sohra, to secretariat-level direction of Food and Civil Supplies.
- Saloni Verma IAS Age — just 28 — makes her career trajectory even more impressive.
- She chose PSIR as optional, relied only on self-study, and cracked UPSC in 2 attempts with AIR 70.
- Saloni Verma IAS Education — B.A. English from Hindu College, DU — proves that your graduation stream does not define your UPSC success.
- As of September 2026, Saloni Verma continues to serve as Director of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs in Meghalaya — shaping policy for thousands of citizens every day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Saloni Verma IAS Age in 2026?
Saloni Verma was born on 26 July 1997 and is 28 years old in 2026.
Q2. What is Saloni Verma IAS current posting in 2026?
She is serving as Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Meghalaya.
Q3. What is Saloni Verma IAS Optional subject?
Her UPSC optional subject was Political Science & International Relations (PSIR).
Q4. How many attempts did Saloni Verma take to clear UPSC?
She cleared UPSC in her second attempt, securing AIR 70 in 2020.
Q5. What is Saloni Verma IAS Cadre?
She belongs to the Assam-Meghalaya Cadre and is from the 2021 IAS batch.
Q6. Who is Saloni Verma IAS Husband?
Her husband’s details are not publicly confirmed.
Q7. What is Saloni Verma IAS Graduation background?
She completed B.A. (Hons) English Literature from Hindu College, Delhi University.
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