As the weight of repeated failures threatened to crush her spirit, Roopali Surana stood at the precipice of despair, teetering on the edge of giving up her lifelong dream. The pursuit of becoming a civil servant had defined her every move since she was a young girl. Yet, after years of relentless effort, she found herself staring into the abyss of uncertainty, questioning whether she could continue.
Hailing from a business family in Rajasthan, Roopali’s path was shaped by a pivotal moment in eighth grade when her father spoke to her about the civil services. What started as his dream soon became her own, fueling her decision to pursue humanities in school and excel academically. With a 95% score in twelfth grade, she secured admission to Miranda House, Delhi University, and began her journey toward the UPSC exams.
A Glimmer of Hope in the Darkest Hour
Despite her academic success, the road to the civil services was filled with obstacles. Roopali’s first three attempts at the UPSC exams ended in failure, with her struggling to clear the prelims. “I nearly decided to switch careers and forget about UPSC,” she told Indian Masterminds , as the burden of unmet expectations grew heavier. At this low point, her husband, IPS officer Amrit Jain, emerged as her guiding light. “He inspired me to try again. His dedication to his work pushed me to face my weaknesses head-on,” Rupali recalls.
With renewed determination, Rupali approached her final attempt in 2023. This time, she strategically tackled the CSAT, a section that had previously been her downfall. Through rigorous practice and a calm mindset, she overcame the challenge and secured AIR 386 in the UPSC CSE 2023. “I’m grateful for this achievement. The journey was tough, but it has opened doors for me to serve my country,” Rupali says, her voice filled with pride. Her story is a testament to resilience and the power of never giving up, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
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