Gamini’s Background and Education:
Gamini Singla, a 23-year-old originally from Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, completed her B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering from Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh in 2019. Her father, Dr. Alok Singla, and her mother, Dr. Neerja Singla, are both medical practitioners, while her brother is studying at IIT. In an interview, Gamini mentioned that her family, especially her father, provided emotional and academic support during her preparation, which played a significant role in helping her achieve her goal. “My family, especially my father, helped me a lot, both emotionally and in my studies,” she shared in an interview with HT.
When Gamini chose to appear for UPSC
During a trip to apply for her driving license, Gamini Singla had an eye-opening conversation with the District Collector. The two discussed the contrasting aspects of corporate versus government careers, leading Gamini to a key realization: true job satisfaction doesn’t stem from the job title, but from one’s mindset and approach to the work. This conversation became a turning point in her career decision-making.
Her interaction with the District Collector gave her new clarity about her career ambitions, which was further reinforced during her internship at JP Morgan. Although she had the opportunity to work in the corporate sector with promising growth and global exposure, her experience there helped her solidify her decision to pursue civil service instead. It was this motivation that drove her to start her UPSC preparation seriously during her final year of college, ultimately leading to her success.
Preparation for UPSC
Gamini began preparing for the UPSC exam immediately after completing her B.Tech. In the 2021 UPSC exam, she secured All India Rank 3. However, her journey was not without challenges. In her first attempt, she did not clear even the preliminary stage, but she remained determined and focused on her goal.
In her second attempt, with the support of her family, especially her father, she persevered and successfully cleared the exam, securing a top rank.
Choosing UPSC over job offers
Before starting her UPSC preparation, Gamini had received a job offer from the prestigious international company J.P. Morgan, which promised a good salary, career growth, and opportunities for global exposure. Despite this, she chose to forgo the lucrative offer and dedicated herself to her goal of becoming an IAS officer. Her choice was supported by her parents.