While many lose hope after failing in their first attempt in UPSC CSE, 2019-batch IAS officer Nupur Goel’s story is different. Despite failing five times in the examination, she didn’t lose focus or determination, and went on to crack the prestigious and difficult examination with AIR 11 in the sixth and final attempt. What helped her in her journey was a positive mindset and attitude. The IAS officer is currently posted as Joint Magistrate in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
BACKGROUND
A resident of Delhi’s Narela, IAS officer Nupur Goel cracked UPSC CSE 2019 with AIR 11 in her sixth and final attempt. She repeatedly failed but her willpower and determination to become an IAS officer didn’t allow her to step back. Finally, her hard work paid off in 2019, when she got selected in UPSC CSE with AIR 11.
She has done her B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from Delhi Technological University and completed her Masters degree in Public Administration from IGNOU.
INSPIRATION AND SUPPORT
She says that she never met with any bureaucrat before starting to think about UPSC preparation. It was her uncle who inspired her to prepare for the UPSC exam. “My uncle who himself was preparing for the civil services unfortunately couldn’t clear the exam, but then he inspired me to prepare for it and supported me always,” she said, while speaking to media.
She also says that she owes her success to her parents, teachers and friends. “I believe that the journey of civil services is not a single person’s journey. For me, it wasn’t my journey alone, but of my parents, friends and teachers altogether.”
IAS Goel shares that she comes from a society where a girl’s marriage is of utmost priority. “My parents must have been pressurized for my marriage but they never brought this topic up before me and always encouraged me to stay focused to my dream,” she said in a media interview.
SIXTH ATTEMPT
Despite not being able to clear all the stages of the exam in five attempts, to see her name on the list of successful candidates, Ms. Goyal never succumbed to negative thoughts.
“I faced highs and lows, sometimes I thought that I should quit, civil services exam is not meant for me, and just like this, many other thoughts came to my mind. But in the back of my mind, there was only one thing, that I should try harder and work harder to reach my destination,” she said.
LEARNINGS FROM THE JOURNEY
Ms. Goel also told media that she has learned a lot from her journey, be it being patient, having perseverance or doing hard work. “In the journey of UPSC, it’s not always possible that you will achieve success in your very first attempt. You may not clear it in your first attempt, but don’t lose hope and stay focused,” she said.
She further said that even if aspirants don’t reach anywhere, they will have grown so much as a person. She believes that hard work never goes in vain. If not today, then tomorrow, they will definitely get the fruits of their hard work. “The values that you find in this journey will be useful to you for the rest of your life. Continue the rest of your life by looking at this journey and one day you will definitely reach the destination.”
After her success, many parents and grandparents from her area reached her, blessed her with their kind words, and also asked her to guide their daughters and granddaughters. “I am happy that I played a part to bring this change in our society,” she said.
