IAS officer Ira Singhal is the first differently-abled to achieve that feat in the general category.
We all know how tough cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is. People study day and night to clear this exam. Apart from this, some have to struggle a lot to become an IAS or IPS officer. Ira Singal, who is specially abled, topped the UPSC exam in 2014 and is an inspiration for many. IAS officer Ira Singhal is the first differently-abled to achieve that feat in the general category.
1. Early life and Education
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Ira Singhal is from the Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. She did her schooling at Sophia Girls School in Meerut and Loreto Convent School in Delhi. After this, she did her graduation with a B.Tech from Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology, Delhi. She then did MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University.
2. Worked in Coca-Cola Company
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Ira has worked at the Coca-Cola Company as a marketing intern. Also, she has worked as a Strategy Manager at Cadbury India. Though she was happy but not satisfied with her job. Therefore, she decided to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer.
3. Filed suit against the Commission
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Ira had taken her UPSC exam in the year 2010, 2011 and 2013 and was given the posting of IRS in all three attempts. However, she was not allowed to join because of a 62 per cent locomotor disability. In response to this, she filed suit against the Commission.
She had to struggle a lot because of this. But in the year 2014, she won the case and got selected for IRS. The decision came ahead of her 2014 Mains exam. This time, Ira not only cleared but also topped UPSC Civil Services Examination in the general category.
4. Got success at the age of 31
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Ira’s age was 31 years old when she cleared the examination. It also proves, 'Where there is a will, there is a way. Anyone can overcome any obstacle if you have the zeal to work hard."
5. Night curfews during childhood
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In an interview, Ira had said that when she was young, she often used to hear about curfews in the city. She was being told that these curfews have been imposed on the orders of the DM. Therefore, she came to know that DM is the one who imposes curfews and has a lot of powers.
As a kid, Ira got impressed by this and decided to become an IAS when she grows up. In order to turn her dreams into realities, Ira had to struggle a lot since childhood. But she never gave up and crossed all stages with her willpower and dedication.
(Photos: Ira Singhal/Instagram)
