Komal Punia UPSC Topper 2024 AIR 6: Her Journey From IPS to IAS

Komal Punia UPSC Topper 2024: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 results on Tuesday. Among the top performers, Komal Punia achieved a remarkable milestone by securing All India Rank (AIR) 6. Her journey from IPS to IAS is a powerful testament to determination, clarity of purpose, and the courage to dream bigger.

This article delves into Komal Punia’s inspirational journey, her preparation strategy, educational qualifications, and achievements.

Who is Komal Punia?

Komal Punia, a native of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, secured AIR 6 in UPSC CSE 2024. She had already been selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2023 with AIR 474, but her goal was always to become an IAS officer. Skipping the foundation course of IPS training, Komal decided to reappear for the exam in 2024 – a risk that paid off handsomely.

She is one of the five women in the top 10 ranks this year, alongside Shakti Dubey (AIR 1), Harshita Goyal (AIR 2), Shah Margi Chirag, and Aayushi Bansal.

Komal Punia’s Educational Qualification

Komal studied in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and later earned her degree in Engineering Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in 2021. Her strong academic foundation played a vital role in her UPSC preparation.

Komal Punia’s UPSC Journey

Her UPSC journey reflects steady progress:

• 2022: Cleared the Prelims but couldn’t clear the Mains.
• 2023: Secured AIR 474 and joined the IPS, beginning training at SVPNPA.
• 2024: Reattempted the exam and achieved AIR 6 in her third attempt.

Despite her prior selection, Komal remained committed to her dream of joining the IAS, showing resilience and unwavering focus.

Komal Punia's Marksheet

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official marks of all candidates who appeared in the exam. Komal Punia secured AIR 6 with a total score of 1032 marks, including 856 marks in the MAINS written examination and 176 marks in the Interview round.

Komal Punia’s Preparation Strategy

Komal’s preparation was a mix of discipline, self-awareness, and smart study techniques:

• Optional Subject: Physics – a challenging subject aligned with her academic background.
• Study Tools: Focused on PYQs (Previous Year Questions), short notes, and targeted revision.
• Coaching: Took professional coaching for General Studies, supplemented with consistent self-study.
• Mental Strength: Emphasized that taming the mind was more difficult than mastering the syllabus. “Taming the syllabus was easier than taming the mind,” she shared.

Interview Experience

Komal’s UPSC interview, conducted on January 9, covered a range of topics including her hobbies, current affairs, and socio-economic issues. Her unique hobby—sign language—sparked an engaging conversation during the session. Despite her IPS training schedule, she displayed calm composure and analytical depth.

Emotional Battle of Solo Preparation

Her preparation wasn’t just academic—it involved emotional resilience. Relying on her parents financially and studying while friends progressed in their careers brought emotional challenges. “It’s hard to explain the internal struggle,” she admitted, speaking honestly about the loneliness and uncertainty of the journey.

Komal Punia’s Number of Attempts

Komal cleared the exam in her third attempt, with consistent performance in Prelims in all three tries.

Komal Punia’s Age

As of 2024, Komal Punia is 32 years old. Her maturity, self-discipline, and mental strength are evident in her approach to the exam and life.

Komal Punia’s Achievements

• AIR 6 in UPSC CSE 2024
• AIR 474 in 2023, joined IPS
• Consistent performance across three attempts
• Among top 5 female toppers in 2024

Komal Punia’s story is one of grit, growth, and grace—from a farming family in rural Uttar Pradesh to the IAS, through IIT Roorkee and IPS. Her journey is an inspiring blueprint for aspirants who face not only academic but emotional hurdles on their path to success.