GAMINI SINGLA UPSC 2021-22 Rank-3

Gamini Singla, a native of Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, secured All India Rank 3 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2021. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science from Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh, she started her UPSC journey immediately after graduation in 2019. Her determination to pursue a career in civil services led her to reject a job offer from JP Morgan. She relied primarily on self-study, with some assistance from coaching in Patiala, and cleared the exam in her second attempt. Her family, particularly her father, played a crucial role in supporting her preparation.

Quick Information Table:

Gamini completed her schooling from Mount Carmel School, Punjab, and graduated with a B.Tech in Computer Science from PEC, Chandigarh. During her time at PEC, she was active in various student organizations and served as a class representative. After a brief stint at JP Morgan, she chose to dedicate herself fully to civil services preparation.

Gamini Singla originates from Anandpur Sahib. Her parents, Dr. Alok Singla and Dr. Neerja Singla, both serve as medical officers in Himachal Pradesh, and her brother is an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur. Gamini attributes her achievement in the examination to her family, and her brother is an engineer from IIT Kharagpur. Her father was deeply involved in her UPSC preparation, helping her with current affairs by reading newspapers and providing essential insights.

From a young age, Gamini aspired to become an IAS officer, driven by her passion for public service and her desire to contribute to the country's development. Her decision to forgo a corporate career and dedicate herself to civil services was motivated by a vision to work for the welfare of people and improve governance. Inspired by figures like IPS officers Kiran Bedi and Navjot Simmi, she believed that civil services would provide her with the best platform to bring about meaningful change.

Marks Obtained:

Gamini faced several challenges on her journey to success. In her first attempt, she did not clear the exam, but instead of giving up, she regrouped and made a strategic plan for her second attempt. During preparation, she studied for 9-11 hours daily and stayed focused on self-study. One of her biggest challenges was managing time and resources effectively while limiting distractions, especially from the internet. Emotional and logistical support from her family played a key role in helping her overcome the mental and physical stress of such an intensive preparation process.