Komal Punia, from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, secured All India Rank 6 in the UPSC 2024 exams, making her one of the top achievers of the year. She graduated with a B.Tech from IIT Roorkee and cleared the exam in her third attempt. Her optional subject for the Mains was Physics. In this blog, we’ll talk about her education, journey, strategies, inspirations, and more.
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Komal Punia Biography Overview Table
| Name | Komal Punia |
| Age | 32 years |
| Hometown | Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Early Schooling | Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Graduation | B.Tech in Engineering Physics at IIT Roorkee |
| UPSC Rank | All India Rank 6 |
| No. of Attempts | 3 Attempts |
| Optional Subject | Physics |
| Marks Obtained | 1032 |
| Preferred Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
Komal Punia Educational Background
Komal Punia, who secured All India Rank 6 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, has a solid background in science. She completed her schooling at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and went on to pursue a B.Tech in Engineering Physics at IIT Roorkee, graduating in 2021.
After finishing her degree, Komal decided to focus on civil services. In her first attempt in 2022, she cleared the Preliminary exam but couldn’t get through the Mains. Undeterred, she tried again in 2023 and achieved AIR 474, earning a spot in the Indian Police Service (IPS). However, her ultimate goal was to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). To fully dedicate herself to another attempt, she chose to skip the IPS foundation course. This decision paid off in 2024, as she achieved AIR 6 on her third try.
Komal’s journey is a testament to her determination and hard work, inspiring many aspirants, especially those from rural areas, to pursue their dreams.
Komal Punia Total Attempts
Komal gave total three attempts in UPSC Civil Service Examination. After graduating from IIT Roorkee in 2021, Komal set her sights on cracking the Civil Services Exam. She took her first shot in 2022 and clear the prelims but missed Mains. Instead of getting discouraged, she used the setback as motivation to work even harder.
In her second attempt in 2023, Komal secured an impressive All India Rank of 474 and got selected for the Indian Police Service. However, her dream was to become an IAS officer. With that goal in mind, she decided to try again. In 2024, on her third attempt, Komal’s dedication and resilience paid off — she achieved an incredible All India Rank of 6, earning her a place among the top UPSC Toppers.
| Year | Attempt |
| 2022 | Cleared Prelims but missed Mains |
| 2023 | AIR 474, got selected in Indian Police Service and begun her training at SVPNPA |
| 2024 | AIR 6 |
Komal Punia Optional Subject
Komal Punia chose Physics as her optional subject for both the 2023 and 2024 UPSC Mains exams. Coming from a strong science background, this choice made perfect sense. She completed her high school in the science stream from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) and went on to earn a B.Tech in Engineering Physics from IIT Roorkee in 2021. Her deep interest and solid understanding of Physics made it a natural and strategic pick for her optional subject.
Komal Punia UPSC Preparation and Strategy
Komal’s journey to securing AIR 6 in UPSC 2024 is a testament to smart planning, consistency, and focused preparation. Here’s a look at the key strategies that helped her succeed:
- Consistent Prelims Success
Komal cleared the Prelims in all three of her attempts, highlighting her strong grasp of objective-type questions and her disciplined approach to preparation. - Strategic Optional Subject Selection
She chose Physics as her optional subject — a decision rooted in her academic background and deep interest in science. With a B.Tech in Engineering Physics from IIT Roorkee and a strong foundation in the subject since school, Physics was not just a natural fit but also a strategic advantage. She leveraged her strengths to stand out in a subject that many find challenging. - Extensive Focus on PYQs (Previous Year Questions)
Komal made PYQs a core part of her preparation. By analyzing past papers, she understood exam trends, identified high-yield topics, and tailored her study plan accordingly. - Balanced Coaching and Self-Study
Komal enrolled in professional coaching for General Studies, but also managed her time effectively to ensure focused self-study. She maintained a disciplined schedule that allowed her to cover all subjects thoroughly. - Balanced Lifestyle
One of her key pieces of advice is to maintain a healthy balance between studies and other activities. Staying mentally and physically fit played a crucial role in her long-term consistency and focus.
Check out top 10 exam tips from UPSC Exam Toppers
Final Thoughts
Komal Punia’s inspiring journey from IIT Roorkee to achieving AIR 6 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a powerful reminder that true success stems from clarity, consistency, and unwavering self-belief. From securing an impressive AIR 474 in her second attempt to making the bold decision to try again for her IAS dream, Komal’s story is the perfect example of not settling for anything less than what you truly aspire to.
Her relentless motivation, strong will, and unshakeable determination turned her goal into reality. From being selected for the IPS to finally becoming an IAS officer, Komal’s journey is a beacon of inspiration for every UPSC aspirant aiming high. She proves that with hard work, resilience, and a clear vision, no dream is out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions about Komal Punia UPSC Topper
How many times did Komal Punia attempt the UPSC exam?
She gave 3 attempts — AIR 474 in her 2nd and AIR 6 in her 3rd.
What is Komal Punia’s educational background?
She did B.Tech in Engineering Physics from IIT Roorkee.
What was Komal’s optional subject in UPSC Mains?
Her optional was Physics, which matched her academic background.
What services did Komal Punia get in her earlier attempts?
She got selected for IPS in 2023 but skipped training to prepare again.