Beyond the Badge: Poonam Dalal Dahiya's Journey to Becoming an IPS Officer

November 9, 2023

5 Minutes

Introduction

Poonam Dalal Dahiya's life is proof that believing in yourself and never giving up on your dreams can lead to remarkable success. Her incredible journey from a simple background to becoming a top police officer in Indian Police Services is an inspiration to many. In this article, we'll explore her amazing story, focusing on the important moments that show how she achieved her goals.

Early Life and Background

Poonam Dalal Dahiya hails from the ancestral village of Chara in Jhajjar, Haryana. Born and raised in Delhi, her upbringing was ordinary, with her mother serving as a retired teacher and her father, a businessman who tragically passed away early in her life. She completed her school education from Nangloi, a small town near Delhi.

The Desire to Achieve

Despite her limited exposure, Poonam possessed an inborn desire to make a mark in life. Her journey began with a teaching training program for primary schools, known as JBT (Junior Basic Training), which paved the way for her first government job. Unable to pursue a regular degree due to her employment commitments, she opted for an external graduation from Delhi University. At this point, she began to develop doubts about her ability to crack the UPSC exam, given the intense competition and dedication she observed in other aspirants in Delhi University.

A Series of Milestones

After completing her graduation, Poonam took several Bank PO exams and secured a position at the State Bank of India, where she worked for three years. It was during this time that she achieved an impressive feat by securing the 7th rank in the Graduate-level SSC exam without any coaching. This success instilled confidence in her that she could conquer the UPSC exam. Her journey continued as she joined as an Income Tax Inspector, her first choice of service. However, her path to the coveted UPSC Civil Services Exam was not without challenges.

Although Poonam managed to clear this prestigious exam without coaching, it’s not easy for everyone to manage that, keeping in mind the changing trends and growing competition in the UPSC landscape. Finding the Best IAS Coaching in Delhi with Contact Details sometimes gets difficult. Aspiring candidates are advised to exercise careful consideration when selecting their coaching platform, ensuring all doubts are thoroughly addressed before making a decision.

In her first two attempts, she passed all the three tiers of the exam. However, since she was already serving on a well-reputed position, she couldn't join as she couldn’t get her preferred service. On her third attempt in 2011, she failed to qualify the prelims, and the age limit for the General category was 30, making it her last opportunity. Her dream of becoming an IAS officer seemed shattered.

A Second Chance

However, fate had other plans for Poonam. A government notification in 2015 offered candidates who had taken the UPSC exam in 2011, an additional chance. Despite being away from studies and occupied with a pregnancy, Poonam decided to give it one last shot. She returned to the exam hall, nine months pregnant, and even the invigilators were concerned about her health.

She cleared the prelims but had only a month to prepare for the Mains, as she had given birth after the prelims. With the unwavering support of her family, including her mother-in-law, father-in-law, mother, brothers, husband, and more, she faced the challenge head-on.

Poonam Dahiya didn't have much practice in writing, but she managed to clear the exam, ace the interview, and finally realize her dream of becoming an IPS officer. This time, her attitude had transformed. She no longer viewed the UPSC exam as an insurmountable mountain but approached it as a manageable challenge, focusing on doing her best.

Seizing the Second Chance

Poonam Dalal Dahiya's decision to take the UPSC exam once more, even in the face of personal challenges, demonstrates her solid determination. Despite being away from studies, working on a highly-responsible position and dealing with a newborn child, she harnessed her inner strength and resilience.

The support she received from her family was instrumental in this phase of her journey. Her mother-in-law, father-in-law, mother, brothers, and husband rallied behind her as if they were all participants in the exam. This united front provided her with the encouragement and assistance she needed during this challenging period.

Poonam didn't have the luxury of writing practice or extensive study hours, yet she displayed incredible perseverance. Her success in clearing the exam and interview to become an IPS officer was not just a personal victory but a testimony to the strength and grit she had developed.

Lessons Learned

Poonam's journey was full of ups and downs and she has authored several books for UPSC aspirants. She listed a few of her invaluable lessons from her journey:

• Comprehensive Preparation : Poonam advised every aspirant to avoid the common mistake of focusing solely on prelims. A holistic approach is crucial to excel in the entire UPSC exam.
• Self-Belief : Poonam believes confidence is the key to success in any exam, especially one as demanding as the UPSC. Maintain self-belief, regardless of the circumstances.

Tips for UPSC Aspirants

Poonam Dahiya offered the following tips for those aspiring to clear the UPSC exam:

• Strategic Reading : Understand not only what to read but also what to omit. A focused approach is essential.
• Continuous Self-Assessment : As you start studying for UPSC, start to regularly assess your progress while studying, rather than saving it for later. She recommends doing this after each topic.v This helps you track your retention and understanding.
• Mock Tests : Reserve the last 45 days before prelims for rigorous mock tests. Set high targets in these tests, and make them your sole focus.
• Perseverance : Maintain self-belief during the exam, even when faced with challenging questions. Don't lose hope, stay calm, gather your thoughts and give your best effort.
• Effective Question Management: When you receive the exam paper, identify the questions you are sure you can answer and attempt them first. Divide the paper into sections: those you know, those you partially know, and those you have no idea about. Focus on the sure-shot questions and make educated guesses for the partial ones, leaving the ones that you don’t know anything about.’
• Perspective: Remember that the UPSC exam is just one part of your life; it doesn't define your entire existence. Life has much more to offer.

Conclusion

Poonam Dalal Dahiya's path from a simple life to qualifying multiple competitive exams is a story of never giving up and believing in yourself. Her journey shows us that with determination and good planning, you can achieve your dreams. Poonam's success story teaches us that if you manifest something with all your heart, you will definitely find a way to make it happen and the universe will align itself in your favour.