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IAS Sonal Goel cleared the UPSC exam in her second attempt and achieved the highest marks in General Studies compared to her optional subjects, Commerce and Public Administration.
IAS Sonal Goel scored 1372 out of 2300 marks in UPSC CSE. (X/Instagram/Sonal Goel)
Sonal Goel is a 2008 batch IAS officer whose inspiring journey to becoming an IAS is worth noting. Born in Panipat, Haryana, Goel completed her studies in Delhi. She graduated from Delhi University’s Shri Ram College of Commerce and decided to prepare for the UPSC civil services exam while studying LLB.
She missed the interview in her UPSC first attempt due to low marks in General Studies in the main exam. However, this setback fueled her determination to leave no stone unturned in achieving her UPSC goal. Thereafter, she dedicated herself to mastering the General Studies paper and improving other aspects of the Mains, emphasising making notes, revising repeatedly, and writing answers. She poured her heart and soul into every aspect of the syllabus, along with pursuing LLB from Delhi University while doing a part-time job as a Company Secretary (CS).
Goel had said that her efforts paid off as she not only cleared the UPSC exam in her second attempt but also achieved the highest marks in General Studies compared to her optional subjects, Commerce and Public Administration. She shared that this journey taught her an invaluable lesson for candidates: no obstacle can withstand dedication and relentless effort.
She scored 1372 out of 2300 marks in the exam. She had 210 and 195 marks in GS 1 and 2, while in the four optional papers, she scored 147, 165, 166, and 190 marks, which were less than her General Studies marks. In the interview round, she scored 183 out of 300 marks.
The IAS advised aspirants to believe in their abilities, pursue their goals with passion, and never forget their dreams, as greatness is achieved through perseverance. “It’s a reminder that with dedication and relentless effort, no obstacle is insurmountable. Every setback and failure is an opportunity to learn, improvise and ultimately, triumph,” she had posted on X earlier.
“Dear students, Believe in your abilities, pursue your goals with passion, and never lose sight of your dreams. It is through perseverance that greatness is achieved,” the IAS officer added.
She joined the Tripura cadre after securing All India Rank 13 in the Civil Services Examination in 2008. She then joined the Haryana cadre in July 2016 and since then she has played an important role as the CEO of Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) and later as Additional CEO of Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
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