Daijiworld Media Network - Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, Oct 8: Komal Punia’s journey from a small village in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to securing All India Rank 6 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 is a powerful story of grit, focus, and self-belief.

A graduate in engineering physics from IIT Roorkee (2021) and an alumna of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Komal began her civil services journey in 2022. She cleared the prelims in her first attempt but missed the mains. In 2023, she cracked the exam with AIR 474 and joined the Indian Police Service (IPS). Yet, her dream of becoming an IAS officer kept her going. Skipping her foundation course at SVPNPA, she gave the exam again in 2024—and this time, reached the top with AIR 6.

Her preparation was a blend of discipline and strategy. With physics as her optional subject, Komal relied heavily on previous year questions, concise notes, and systematic revisions. She combined professional coaching for general studies with self-study and emphasised mental clarity over long study hours. “Taming the syllabus was easier than taming the mind,” she reflected.

Her interview, held on January 9, tested her on a range of topics—from rural socio-economic indicators to her unique hobby of sign language. Despite the pressure of IPS training, she stayed calm and composed. “I did not know all the answers, but I did not let that shake me,” she recalled.

Komal’s path was not without challenges. Preparing alone while relying on her parents for financial support and watching peers advance in stable careers often tested her resolve. Yet, she persevered, guided by a simple philosophy: “Small disciplines every day are more powerful than rare bursts of effort.”

Her advice to aspirants is straightforward—stay consistent, master your mind, and do not give up after one setback.

From a humble farming family to the corridors of the Indian Administrative Service, Komal Punia’s story shines as a testament to resilience and the power of persistence.