From CS To IAS: Inspiring Journey Of Sonal Goel, Who Secured AIR 13 In UPSC!

Many stories around the world which have time and again proven that nothing is beyond boundaries. Everything can be attained if only one puts his heart, soul and mind to it. And here we are on yet another day, yet another story of incredible talent interspersed with grit and determination.

Meet Sonal Goel, who after having secured an All India Rank 13th in UPSC Civil Services Examination, joined Tripura Cadre and has been serving the nation for the past 13 years.

Humble Beginning to Academic Excellence

Born in Panipat, Haryana, Sonal Goel did her schooling from D.A.V. Public School in Delhi. After Grade 12, she got admission into one of the prestigious colleges of the country- 'Shriram College of Commerce', from where she completed her B.Comm (Honors). Her journey to achieve academic excellence didn’t stop there. Infact, she went on to become C.S (Company Secretary) from ICSI, New Delhi, which cemented her expertise in Finance and Commerce.

She also holds a degree in law from Faculty of Law, Delhi University and soon she topped it with a masters degree in Public Policy from IGNOU.

Sonal’s father Mr I.C. Goel is a CA by profession. Her mother Mrs Renu Goel is a homemaker.

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From CS to IAS Officer

Mostly, when a person is secure enough in one’s job, hardly ventures out of his comfort zone to pursue his dream job. But, here, a chance reading of an article written on the civil servant in a magazine led Sonal to try her luck in one of the toughest exams of the world.

Her father knew about the notorious exams and how draining it could be, thus he advised her to keep Plan B ready. 

She said, "During my CS studies when I told my family about my decision to become an IAS officer, my father did not want me to prepare for UPSC." Sonal said, "My father knew that UPSC exams are one of the toughest. Though he knew that I was smart, he said that if I wanted to take the exam, I should also keep plan B ready.”

Soon she got a job as a CS in a firm, and she started preparing for the exams. She couldn’t clear it in her first attempt in 2006, but in her second attempt she secured AIR 13! Talk about hard work!

Path filled with Accolades 

Having secured an AIR 13th in 2007, she joined Tripura Cadre and has held various significant positions since then.She is presently posted as Special Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi.

Featured in Top 25 Women transforming India by Niti Aayog, United Nations and MyGov in September 2016, Mrs Sonal Goel has been appointed as ‘Honorary Advisor’ at BRICS CCI Young Leaders Forum (Session 2020-2023). 

Mrs Goel likes writing, music, dance, plays chess, likes to travel and explore places. She believes we all can contribute to society, in all capacities big or small.

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