Meet UPSC topper Ira Singhal, who fought disability and system to become an IAS officer

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.

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.

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. 

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."

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)