“Till the goal is not accomplished, the pace of the steps will not stop.”
This powerful line from former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem seems to echo in every step taken by this IPS officer. Her dream was to become an IAS officer. She cleared the UPSC exam and joined the IPS in just her second attempt – a feat that would be enough for many to celebrate. But for her, it was only a milestone, not the destination. She didn’t pause to rejoice. Instead, she took a bold decision – opting out of the foundation course – to prepare once again, eyes set firmly on her ultimate goal.
Trainee IPS and proud daughter of a farmer, Ms Komal Punia, has achieved what she set out for – cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 with an outstanding All India Rank 6. Her journey is not just about academic excellence; it’s a shining example of discipline, meticulous planning, and a rock-solid strategy. More than anything, it’s a story of unshakable self-belief and quiet patience – a belief that every step she took was bringing her closer to her true calling.
In an exclusive interaction with Indian Masterminds, she shared insights into her inspiring journey and offered valuable advice for fellow aspirants who dream of serving the nation.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Komal began her UPSC journey in 2021, shortly after completing her graduation. In a field where consistency is key, she proved her mettle by clearing the Prelims in all three of her attempts – a commendable feat.
Her first attempt in UPSC CSE 2022 saw her crossing the Prelims stage, but she narrowly missed out on clearing the Mains. Undeterred, she returned stronger. In her second attempt in 2023, she secured an All India Rank of 474, earning her a place in the Indian Police Service (IPS). Currently, she is undergoing training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA).
But Komal wasn’t done yet. With unshaken focus, she made her third attempt in UPSC CSE 2024 – and this time, she soared to success with a phenomenal All India Rank 6.
In a remarkable move, she chose to skip the foundation course, dedicating that time to reattempt the Prelims and Mains before officially beginning her IPS training. This bold decision reflects not only her commitment, but also her razor-sharp clarity of purpose.
She said, “I would say it was a combination of hard work and perseverance. It truly tested my patience. There were moments when I felt like I was at the lowest point-times when I questioned if anything would work out in my career. But looking back, it was a journey full of struggles, and yet, full of hope. I always believed that someday, it would happen.”
The Struggle of Insecurity
Everyone faces their own battles in the UPSC journey, and for Komal Punia, the struggle was deeply personal.
“I think for me, after graduation, the biggest challenge was preparing alone. It may not look like a struggle from the outside – but when your friends are moving ahead in corporate careers and you’re walking this uncertain path, it’s incredibly difficult.
Preparing for years without any guarantee of success is a huge emotional and mental struggle. It’s not just about studying; it’s about coping with insecurity, self-doubt, and the constant fear of failure.
It was also a big risk-being financially dependent on my parents, not knowing when or if it would pay off. But I kept believing, and I kept moving forward.”
This candid reflection sheds light on the lesser-talked-about emotional side of the UPSC journey—a side that many aspirants quietly endure.
BACKGROUND
Komal Punia hails from a village in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Her father is a farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. She has two siblings, and together they form a close-knit family.
Komal completed her schooling up to the 12th grade at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Saharanpur, before pursuing a B.Tech in Engineering Physics from the prestigious IIT Roorkee, where she graduated in 2021.
UPSC PREPARATIONS
Reflecting on her preparation, Komal shared, “Initially, it felt like unfolding a lot of new dimensions because I had no background in civil services. During my college days, I wasn’t particularly inclined toward this path. However, during the COVID-19 lockdown, when I was at home, I began exploring various resources and gradually got more involved.”
She realized that to navigate the vast syllabus, setting clear boundaries was essential. “That’s when I understood that structure and discipline were key to covering the entire syllabus effectively.”
Komal took coaching for General Studies (GS) but focused her efforts on studying the syllabus systematically. She found Previous Year Questions (PYQs) and making short notes to be critical for her preparation, especially for revision.
Her optional subject was Physics, a field she chose due to her strong background in it. However, as she put it, “I thought it would be easy, but I must admit, it was not. Physics required a lot of hard work, and even though I had the background, it was still challenging. But I firmly believe that if you put in the effort, especially in subjects like Physics and Maths, the results will certainly follow.”
Komal further explained, “Last year, I wasn’t very confident, but this year I felt much more assured. I had a clearer understanding of how UPSC marks are awarded, which helped me approach the exam with more confidence and precision.”
INTERVIEW
Komal’s UPSC interview was a mix of everything, covering a wide range of topics. Her interview took place in the first round, on 9th January, when she was in the midst of her IPS training. She couldn’t prepare extensively for the interview, feeling slightly underprepared, but once it was over, she had a sense of confidence that it had gone well.
The interview was based largely on her Detailed Application Form (DAF). Questions ranged from her hobbies to current affairs. One board member asked her about her academic background in engineering and physics, while others posed current affairs and analytical questions. One memorable question came from the Chairman, who asked, “How would you compare the development and socio-economic indicators of two villages? What are the socio-economic indicators, and how would you prioritize them?”
Reflecting on this, Komal said, “I would say that the interview was quite comprehensive. It covered all dimensions – academic, personal, and analytical.”
One of her hobbies is sign language, and the board engaged in a detailed discussion about it. But there was one question that stood out as particularly technical: “A member asked me about the kind of statistics used in Bose’s Brownian motion – a topic we hadn’t studied in college. I couldn’t answer it, but I felt that the member expected me to have knowledge of it. It was a challenging moment.”
Despite that, Komal was pleased with how the interview turned out, acknowledging that it was a thorough test of her knowledge and personality.
SUGGESTIONS
When asked to share advice with fellow aspirants, Komal said, “The UPSC journey is largely a test of patience and hard work. Aspirants should not expect to clear it in their first attempt. Of course, they should have the energy and determination to aim for that first attempt, but even if they don’t succeed, they must keep going. If you can’t study for 10 hours, aim for 8 or even 6 hours – but the key is to maintain continuity. Over time, even 6 hours of study a day adds up. It’s all about consistency and staying the course.”
She added, “For me, taming the syllabus was easier than taming my own mind. The mental discipline required for UPSC is often the toughest part. So, my advice would be to maintain a positive mindset, stay focused, and don’t let distractions take over. It’s okay to relax or ‘chill’ for a bit after a few weeks of hard work, but don’t make it a daily habit. Small, consistent disciplines every day really add up in the long run.”
