15-Day Marriage to UPSC AIR 591: Komal Gatra's inspiring journey that started at 26 after a broken marriage

15 Day Marriage to UPSC AIR 591

For Komal Ganatra, the most painful question wasn't about exams or results but, "Where is your husband?" Each time someone asked, she felt a piece of her confidence crumble. But deep down, she made a promise to herself that one day, she would answer that question with her success.

Komal's journey began in Gujarat, where she studied in Gujarati medium schools and later pursued graduation through an open university. She didn't stop there, she earned degrees in three different languages.

Her first taste of success came when she cleared the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) exam. But life had other plans. At 26, she married an NRI who opposed her career aspirations. Just 15 days after their wedding, he left for New Zealand and cut off all contact. Komal was left alone, facing societal judgment and personal heartbreak.

Many advised her to divorce and remarry. But Komal chose a different path. She took a teaching job 40 kilometers from home, earning just Rs. 5,000 a month. Despite the distance and financial constraints, she never gave up on her dream of cracking the UPSC exam.

For years, Komal balanced her job and studies, traveling 300 kilometers every weekend to attend classes in Ahmedabad. She faced failure not once, but three times. Yet, she persisted. In her fourth attempt, she took an overnight train to Mumbai for the exam centre, exhausted but determined. This time she succeeded, securing All India Rank 591 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

Her achievement was about more than a job, it was about reclaiming her self-respect. As she often says, "UPSC was not guaranteed, but it was a battle for my dignity."

Today, Komal serves as an officer in the Ministry of Defence. She has rebuilt her life, marrying a judicial officer and raising a daughter. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult life becomes, determination and self-belief can lead to extraordinary outcomes.