Introduction
The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 results, announced on April 22, 2025, celebrated 1,009 candidates who conquered one of India’s toughest exams. Among the top performers, Komal Punia secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 6, transitioning from an IPS officer to her dream of becoming an IAS officer.
Watch: Toppers’ Talk of UPSC 2024 Toppers
Komal Punia: Background
Komal Punia, born in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, comes from a humble farming family. Her father, a farmer, and her mother, a homemaker, provided a supportive environment that nurtured her ambitions. Komal excelled academically, scoring 97% in her Class 12 exams at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Saharanpur. She pursued a B.Tech in Engineering Physics from IIT Roorkee, graduating in 2021, where her analytical skills were honed through a rigorous curriculum.
Her academic excellence earned her prestigious awards, including the Indian Academy of Sciences Summer Research Fellowship (2019) and the IITR Heritage Foundation Excellence Award (2020). Komal’s choice of Physics as her UPSC optional subject reflected her scientific background, while her passion for social impact drove her toward civil services, making her a role model for aspirants from rural India.
Also Read Blog: Harshita Goyal, AIR 2, UPSC 2024
Komal Punia: UPSC Journey and Number of Attempts
Komal Punia’s UPSC journey is a testament to persistence and bold decision-making. She began preparing during the COVID-19 lockdown. Her UPSC journey spanned three attempts:
- 2022: Cleared Prelims but missed Mains, gaining crucial experience.
- 2023: Secured AIR 474, earning a spot in the Indian Police Service (IPS) and beginning training at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA), Hyderabad.
- 2024: Skipped the IPS foundation course to reattempt the exam, achieving AIR 6 in her third attempt, fulfilling her goal of joining the IAS.
Komal’s decision to forgo IPS training to pursue her IAS dream highlights her clarity of purpose. During her inspiring journey of continuous improvement, she enrolled in the VisionIAS All Test Series to sharpen her answer writing skills. Also, she joined the VisionIAS interview programme to prepare for the personality test—an essential step that, combined with her hard work and perseverance, helped her secure a rank in the UPSC examination
Komal Punia’s Toppers’ Copies
Aspirants seeking valuable insights can benefit from the exclusive availability of Komal Punia’s answer copies, offering a window into her successful approach.
Download High Scorer Toppers Copies
Komal Punia’s UPSC CSE 2024 Marksheet
The UPSC CSE 2024 marks for Komal Punia, is as follows:
Download UPSC 2024 Marksheet
Komal Punia’s UPSC Preparation Strategy
Komal Punia’s AIR 6 in UPSC CSE 2024 was driven by a disciplined and focused preparation strategy. Key elements include:
- Structured Timetable: She followed a daily schedule, balancing General Studies (GS), her optional subject (Physics), and current affairs for comprehensive coverage.
- Limited Resources, Frequent Revision: Komal prioritized standard books and revised them multiple times, avoiding information overload.
- Answer Writing Practice: Regular practice with Mains-style questions, enhanced by test series and feedback, improved her articulation and structure.
- Current Affairs Focus: She diligently followed newspapers like The Hindu and magazines like Yojana to enrich her answers with relevant insights.
- Mock Tests: Frequent Prelims and Mains mock tests aided self-assessment, time management, and exam readiness.
- Interview Preparation: Komal honed her articulation and composure through mock interviews, focusing on her Detailed Application Form (DAF) and public service vision.
- Mental Discipline: Emphasizing mental resilience, she maintained a positive mindset, took strategic breaks to avoid burnout, and drew support from her family.
Also Read Blog: UPSC 2024 Toppers Preparation Strategy
VisionIAS Topper Copies: A Must Read Resource
Topper copies are more than just answers—they are a roadmap to understanding the art of high-scoring answer writing, showcasing clarity, structure, and strategic use of keywords that align with UPSC’s expectations. Studying these answer sheets allows aspirants to learn how to present complex ideas concisely, use diagrams effectively, and manage time during the exam.
The extensive repository of toppers’ copies—featuring achievers like Aditya Srivastava (AIR 1, 2023), Ishita Kishore (AIR 1, 2022), Gamini Singla (AIR 3, 2021), and Shubham Kumar (AIR 1, 2020) among others—reflects the strength of a holistic VisionIAS learning ecosystem built over years of academic excellence. More than just isolated subject copies, this curated collection spans GS papers, Ethics, Essay, and Optionals, drawn from initiatives like the All India Test Series and Abhyaas, offering aspirants an integrated view of preparation strategies, answer-writing nuances, and the broader environment of continuous mentorship and rigor that drives success in the UPSC Mains.
Also Read Blog: Archit Dongre, AIR 3, UPSC 2024
✅ FAQs: Komal Punia – UPSC AIR 6, 2024
1. How many attempts did Komal Punia take to clear the UPSC?
Answer: She cleared the exam in her third attempt.
2. What is Komal Punia’s educational qualification?
Answer: She holds a B.Tech in Engineering Physics from IIT Roorkee.
3. Where is Komal Punia from?
Answer: She is from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
4. What was Komal Punia’s optional subject in UPSC?
Answer: Her optional subject was Physics.
5. Which courses did Komal Punia join during her UPSC preparation?
Answer: She joined the VisionIAS All Test Series and the Interview Guidance Programme.