Daijiworld Media Network – Patiala

Patiala, Aug 2: In an inspiring story of perseverance and determination, Simrandeep Kaur, the daughter of a farmer from Birarwal village in Punjab’s Patiala district, has achieved an outstanding All India Rank (AIR) 15 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination.

Her remarkable achievement was officially recognized when Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria honoured her at a special ceremony on June 22. The proud moment proved emotional for her family, especially her father, Kuldeep Singh, who watched his daughter receive the accolade from the governor.

Simrandeep’s path to success was marked by resilience. She cleared the prestigious exam on her fourth attempt after facing repeated setbacks in the mains stage, despite clearing the preliminary examinations three times earlier. Instead of giving up, she revamped her strategy by analyzing the answer-writing methods of previous toppers. She relied heavily on self-study, dedicating eight to ten hours daily from home rather than opting for expensive classroom coaching programmes, though she received guidance from Sankalp Sanstha in 2022.

Her ambition to join the civil services took root during her school days when a PCS officer attended a function at her school as the chief guest. After finishing high school in the medical stream, she earned a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Khalsa College, Patiala, and subsequently selected Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject for the UPSC exam.

Despite financial constraints, her father, a farmer, and mother, Amandeep Kaur, a homemaker, steadfastly supported her aspirations. Encouraging future civil service aspirants, Simrandeep emphasized that success comes down to consistency, smart preparation, regular revision, and unwavering dedication rather than heavy financial investment in coaching.