KANIKA GOYAL UPSC 2022-23 Rank-9

Kanika Goyal secured the 9th rank in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022 in her second attempt. Hailing from Kaithal, Haryana, Kanika has been driven towards a career in the civil services since her school days, when she was inspired by stories of IAS officers. She pursued her education in Political Science and dedicated several years to rigorous preparation, with her family being a constant source of support. Kanika's journey is marked by her determination, having nurtured the dream of becoming an IAS officer since the 7th grade. Her story is one of perseverance, overcoming challenges, and achieving success after 10 years of focused effort.

Quick Information Table:

Kanika completed her schooling at Hindu Girls Senior Secondary School in Kaithal, Haryana, where she scored exceptionally well, achieving a CGPA of 10 in Class 10 and 96.4% in Class 12 with a focus on Humanities. She pursued her higher education at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, graduating with honors in Political Science. Her academic journey has always reflected her interest in public service, and she relied on self-study as well as online resources for her UPSC preparation.

Kanika comes from a humble family background in Kaithal. Her father, Lakhmi Chand Goyal, runs a small grocery business, while her mother, Neelam Goyal, is a homemaker. She is the only child in her family, and they have been instrumental in supporting her emotionally and financially through her preparation journey. Kanika’s parents, particularly her father, played a key role in boosting her morale and encouraging her to stay focused on her dream.

After working in the corporate world, Ishita realized that her passion lay in governance and public service. This shift in focus happened in 2019, when she left her job to begin preparing for the UPSC exam. Her decision was influenced by her deep-seated desire to work for the public and contribute to the nation on a larger scale. Additionally, her family background, with her father's military service and her mother's dedication to teaching, played a significant role in her aspirations.

Marks Obtained:

Kanika’s journey was filled with challenges. In her first attempt in 2021, she cleared the prelims but could not perform as well as expected in the mains, particularly in her optional subject, despite it being her field of study. This setback was a turning point for her, and she reworked her preparation strategy, placing greater emphasis on her optional subject—Political Science and International Relations—for her second attempt. Her preparation was not defined by fixed study hours but rather by balancing her routine between studies, rest, and leisure. Another major challenge was the mental pressure of expectations, as she had been working towards this goal since childhood, with all eyes on her success.