Gamini Singla, a name that resonates with success and determination, cleared the UPSC examination with flying colors and secured the prestigious AIR rank 3 in 2022. Her journey from a computer science graduate to becoming an IAS officer is truly inspirational and motivational. Let's delve into her biography, educational background, preparation strategies, and more.

Early Life and Education

Gamini Singla was born on September 20, 1999, and is currently 23 years old. Hailing from a general category background, she stands at a height of 5.2 ft. She completed her schooling at Mount Carmel School and went on to pursue a degree in computer science engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, in 2019. With a remarkable academic record, she achieved 95% in 10th grade and 97% in 12th grade.

The Role of Family Support

Throughout her journey, Gamini Singla received unwavering support from her family. With both her parents serving as medical officers in the Himachal government, they played an instrumental role in her preparation. Her father actively engaged in her studies, reading the same books she used for her UPSC preparation and underlining important news articles in newspapers. Her mother provided emotional and financial support, being a doctor and a frontline warrior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, her brother, an IIT graduate in electrical engineering, supported her by analyzing her shortcomings and helping her strategize for the exams.

Dreams of Becoming an IAS Officer

Gamini Singla's aspiration to become an IAS officer dates back to her childhood. Inspired by her father's stories about the role and responsibilities of IAS officers, she would often write about her goal in every slam book she came across. In 2019, during her final year of college, she decided to embark on her UPSC preparation journey.

Attempts and Handling Failure

Gamini Singla took two attempts to clear the UPSC examination. In her first attempt in 2020, she did not clear the prelims examination. However, instead of being demotivated, she sought the guidance of her parents, who encouraged her to try again the following year. Determined to rectify her shortcomings, she analyzed her weaknesses and worked hard to improve.

Preparation Strategies and Schedule

Gamini Singla followed a disciplined schedule during her UPSC preparation phase. She woke up at 5:00 am and studied from 5:30 am to 10:00 am, taking half-hour breaks in between. From 10:30 am to 11:00 am, she continued her studies, followed by another half-hour break. She resumed studying from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, took a one-hour break, and then studied from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. She incorporated a walk into her routine and resumed studying from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. According to Gamini, discipline was a key factor in her preparation.

Coaching and Study Materials

Contrary to popular belief, Gamini Singla did not opt for coaching for her UPSC preparation. She believed that self-study and mock tests were sufficient for success. She relied on the internet, particularly Unacademy for mock tests, as her primary source of information. For newspaper reading and current affairs, she preferred The Hindu. Gamini's optional subject for the examination was Sociology, as she found the subject interesting and comprehensive.

Booklist for UPSC Preparation

Gamini Singla followed a well-curated booklist for her General Studies papers. For History, she referred to NCERT books from classes 6 to 12, "Freedom Struggle–A Brief History of Modern India" by Spectrum, and Nitin Sangwan's book on Post-Independence India. To understand Indian art and culture, she studied Nitin Singhania's "Indian Art and Culture," along with RS Sharma's "Ancient India" and Satish Chandra's "Medieval India." Her Geography preparation involved NCERT books, GC Leong's "Certificate Physical & Human Geography," and the Oxford Student Atlas for India.

For other papers, she referred to books such as "Indian Polity" by Laxmikanth for Constitution and Polity, 2nd ARC reports and current affairs for Governance, and Ministry of External Affairs website and current affairs for International Relations. In Economics, she studied NCERT books from classes 10 to 12 and "Indian Economy" by Sanjeev Verma, among others. Shankar IAS' "Environment" book, along with PMF IAS website, provided her with valuable insights into environmental issues. She also covered Internal Security, Disaster Management, Science & Technology, and Ethics through various books and current affairs materials.

Achievements and Salary as an IAS Officer

Gamini Singla's hard work and dedication paid off when she secured a remarkable score in the UPSC examination. Her marksheet reflects her excellent performance, with high scores in both the written examination and the personality test. As an IAS officer, her salary includes a basic pay of 67,700, HRA of 17,248, DA of 13,509, TA of 4,600, DA on TA of 712, and other benefits. After necessary deductions for NPS and CGEGIS, her net cross salary amounts to 94,818, with the government contributing 12,089 towards her benefits.

Gamini Singla's journey from being a computer science graduate to achieving AIR rank 3 in the UPSC examination is truly inspiring. Her story emphasizes the importance of family support, determination, discipline, and self-belief in realizing one's dreams. Gamini Singla serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants, demonstrating that with the right mindset and consistent effort, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve success in their chosen field.