https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

She Chose Indian Foreign Service Over a Foreign Law School

Seema Pujani, who secured AIR 37 in the 2014 UPSC CSE, chose Indian Foreign Service over the IAS. She let go of an opportunity to study at the Bucerius Law School, Germany, to chase her IFS dream. The career diplomat is currently posted as First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to UN, Geneva.
Indian Masterminds Stories

A chance meeting with an Indian Foreign Service officer in 2009 in college planted the seed of a diplomatic career in Ms. Seema Pujani’s mind. The year was 2009 and she was studying in one of the top law colleges of India, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore. Two college seniors, who were bureaucrats, visited the campus. One of them was Ms. Aparna Ray, IFS. After interacting with her, Ms. Pujani got drawn towards the Indian Foreign Service as she felt that the life and job of a diplomat were fascinating. She also saw the diplomatic career as an honour to represent and serve the country abroad.

And so began her journey towards the Indian Foreign Service that ended in her second successful attempt at Civil Services Examination (CSE) in 2014, when she secured AIR 37 and was allotted her first choice, IFS. We present the UPSC journey of this diplomat, today, who is currently posted as First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to UN, Geneva.

WANTED TO JOIN ONLY IFS

Ms. Pujani had cracked CSE once before also. That time, she had secured AIR 599 and was allotted Indian Trade Service and had even started training at the India Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi. But her heart was with Indian Foreign Service, and she attempted CSE again, and the second time, she succeeded in bettering her rank and could finally get her dream service, IFS.

Both times, she had given her first choice as IFS. In an interview to a media organisation, she introduces herself as “a simple person who with some determination finally made diplomacy her calling. A lawyer by education and training but not at heart.” 

LAW SCHOOL TRAINING HELPED

According to Ms. Pujani, her stint at the multicultural environment of NLSIU Bangalore sharpened her sensibilities and increased her strength and endurance. Taking part in event management activities, book discussions and other vibrant activities moulded her for her future role as a diplomat. It also helped her to hone her critical thinking and analysis skills. She says, “If you survived law school, you would survive anywhere!”

EARLY LIFE

Ms. Pujani’s father was a civil servant, too. He retired from the Haryana Civil Services. And like her, he had also studied law before joining civil services. He is a legal consultant in Gurgaon now.

She did most of her schooling in Faridabad and had chosen the science stream after Class 10.

“However, I soon realised that my interests lay in the social sciences and languages that helped me make sense of the world around me. Words also held a peculiar appeal. Thereafter, the decision to appear for law entrance exam was made in Class 12.”

GOT ADMISSION IN BUCERIUS LAW SCHOOL, GERMANY

After graduating from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore, in 2011, Ms. Pujani applied in the Masters of Law and Business programme at the Bucerius Law School, Germany, and got selected to the course.

“However, three months before joining, I took the decision to defer studies in order to appear for the Civil Services prelims examination. It was a painful and difficult decision that haunted me for a long time to come.”

WHY INDIAN FOREIGN SERVICE ONLY?

In her first attempt at CSE, Ms. Pujani was allotted Indian Trade Service and she even started training for it. But she attempted CSE again to enter IFS and succeeded. This time she secured the high rank of 37 and could have easily asked to be allotted IAS, the most preferred service of the top rankers.

“The only motivation for me to put my life at a standstill, reject all opportunities that came my way and put in hard work was the dream of entering into India’s diplomatic corps. Therefore, no other service but the IFS appealed to me.”

WHAT’S THE JOB OF A DIPLOMAT LIKE?

Ms. Pujani says that the most inspiring and, also, the most onerous of a diplomat’s duties is to be a representative of the country and its people abroad.

“One needs to be mindful of her actions, words, and behaviour. We are the spokespersons for the government and its people on any matter of foreign policy. In a globalised world with significant Indian footprint abroad, any matter that involves the country’s interests is our concern. We also report back on developments of political, economic, and strategic significance in the host country.”

ADVICE TO ASPIRANTS

Ms. Pujani believes that it is not the number of hours one puts in, but the quality of output that matters, when it comes to CSE preparation.

“I believe one does not plan for work, aiming at a particular rank. The idea is to figure out where one is making mistakes, to correct those, and give one’s best. A well-informed strategy, reading list, and persistence help.”

At the same time, she says that neither success nor failure in this exam is the end of the world and one can contribute immensely to society in multifarious ways. “Each person is unique. Know yourself well and play to your strengths.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
epfo
ICAS Sanjay Pandey Elevated to Additional Secretary Rank in EPFO
ECI Sadan_ Election
IIS Ashish Goyal Appointed as Director General (Media), Election Commission of India - Know More About Him
Jamia_RCA_resized
32 Candidates from Jamia RCA Clear UPSC CSE 2024, 12 Among Them Women
Eastern Coalfields Limited MoA
CMPDIL and Eastern Coalfields Limited Sign MoA for Implementation of Solar Power Project
REC Limited
IAS Jitendra Srivastava Assumes Charge as CMD, REC Limited - Know More About Him
Uttar Pradesh Police (UP)_resized
3 Senior IPS Officers Reshuffled in Uttar Pradesh, DK Thakur Made ADGP, SSF
IPS logo resized
IPS Officer Satendra Kumar Repatriated to Uttar Pradesh Cadre from NCRB
Satyabrata Sahu IAS
Senior IAS Officer Satyabrata Sahu Empanelled for Secretary Equivalent Post at the Centre
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
UPSC Stories
Shah margi chirag
Fifth Attempt, AIR 4: Shah Margi Chirag’s Steady Climb to Success | Exclusive
After five attempts, Margi Chirag Shah secured AIR 4 in UPSC CSE 2024. Her journey reflects focus, simplicity,...
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 16.36
How CA Harshita Goyal Carved Her Path to UPSC AIR 2
Haryana-born, Gujarat-raised — meet UPSC star, Harshita Goyal, a CA who's now a national name, as she...
UPSC CSE 2024 Results
UPSC CSE 2024 Results: Women Dominate with 3 Out Of Top 5 Ranks - Know More About the Toppers
In UPSC CSE 2024, three women secured top 5 ranks, highlighting gender progress in India’s civil services....
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
epfo
ICAS Sanjay Pandey Elevated to Additional Secretary Rank in EPFO
ECI Sadan_ Election
IIS Ashish Goyal Appointed as Director General (Media), Election Commission of India - Know More About Him
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT