In a small, cozy corner of Delhi, where dreams often get lost in the chaos of everyday life, one young woman dared to fight against all odds. Priyanka Goel, an ordinary girl with an extraordinary dream, proved that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about resilience, patience, and the courage to stand back up after every fall.
This is not just a UPSC success story. It’s a story of heartbreak, self-doubt, and relentless determination—a journey that saw Priyanka rise from repeated failures to claim her spot among India’s civil servants.
A Dream Born in the Streets of Delhi
Priyanka’s life was never about luxury or privilege. Raised in Delhi, she belonged to a humble, hardworking family that valued education as the ultimate way forward. She studied at Maharaja Agrasen Model School, Pitampura, and later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Keshav Mahavidyalaya, Delhi University.
She was bright, ambitious, and full of hope. But as she embarked on the grueling journey of UPSC preparation, reality hit hard. Dreams, after all, come with a price.
A Series of Heartbreaking Failures
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is often called the toughest exam in India. Priyanka knew this, but no amount of preparation could have prepared her for the emotional rollercoaster that followed.
🔹 First Attempt – She failed in the Prelims, realizing that she hadn’t fully grasped the syllabus.
🔹 Second Attempt – She came so close. Missed the cutoff by just 0.7 marks. The pain of being almost there was unbearable.
🔹 Third Attempt – Cleared Prelims but failed in the Mains. Another year, another heartbreak.
🔹 Fourth Attempt – This time, the CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test) became her stumbling block.
🔹 Fifth Attempt – The toughest of them all. Her mother’s health deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her world came crashing down. Between hospital visits and sleepless nights, UPSC preparation took a backseat. The pressure from family, society, and the dwindling number of attempts was suffocating. But giving up was never an option.
She had one last chance. One final shot to make her dream come true.
The Final Attempt: A Moment of Truth
In 2022, Priyanka took a deep breath, gathered every ounce of strength left in her, and gave it her all. She changed her strategy, worked on her weaknesses, and prepared with a laser focus.
When the results were announced, her heart pounded. As she scrolled through the list, there it was—her name.
Rank 369.
Tears rolled down her face. After six years of struggle, failures, and heartbreak, she had finally done it.
Lessons from Priyanka’s Journey
Her story is not just about cracking UPSC—it’s about life, resilience, and never backing down.
Failure is not the end – Priyanka failed five times but never stopped trying. Every failure was just a lesson in disguise.
Hardships make you stronger – From personal loss to societal pressure, she faced it all. But she never let it break her spirit.
Consistency is key – Even when she doubted herself, she kept moving forward. That made all the difference.
Your dreams are worth the fight – No matter how tough the journey gets, the destination makes it all worthwhile.
A Message of Hope
Today, Priyanka Goel is more than just an IPS officer—she is an inspiration. A reminder that success isn’t about never failing, but about never giving up.
To every UPSC aspirant, to every dreamer who feels like giving up, she has just one message:
“Hold on. Keep fighting. Your day will come.”