The civil services exams are considered the most coveted exams in the country and rightly so, since millions of IAS aspirants appear every year but not all manage to crack it. This year has been a defining one for women and the differently-abled as Ira Singhal, a 30-year-old Delhi-ite with a physical disability has managed to top the country-wide exam by sheer will power.
The results of the civil services exams that were announced on Saturday, July 4, saw the top four slots being secured by women. The four women Ira Sehgal, Renu Raj, Nishi Gupta and Vandana Rao have made their way to be part of the Union Public Services Commission, creating a record of sorts for women who seldom make it that far.
But one of the four women needs a special mention. Ira Sehgal, who stood first with the best score is one inspiring woman. You will be surprised to know that Ira suffers from scoliosis, a disability that hampers her arm movement and has caused her spine to bend.
With a 60 per cent locomotor disability, Ira previously cleared the exam in 2010 but was refused a post due to her disability. The authorities cited her ‘inability to push, pull and lift’ as the main reason of her losing a job in the civil services.
But this didn’t stop Ira, who has a B.E in Computer Engineering from NSIT and an MBA, from trying again. After four long years of hard work, she has now managed to top the UPSC exams this year.
Her never-say-die attitude has left the authorities with no choice but to hand her the post she deserves with due respect. She is currently an assistant commissioner in the Customs and Excise Department of the Indian Revenue Services.
The exam which is conducted in three stages, started in August 2014 and took place at 2,317 venues across the country with approximately 4.51 lakh applicants.
Ira’s victory is truly an inspiring tale of perseverance and passion. We applaud Ira and the other three women for their success and wish them all the best for a fruitful future in the civil services.
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