Meet IAS Officer Who Lost Her Sight But Not Her 'Vision', Becomes India's First Visually Impaired To Crack UPSC

Pranjal Patil from Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, lost her vision entirely at the age of six, yet she was determined to pursue her dreams.

She completed her schooling at Kamla Mehta Dadar School for the Blind in Mumbai, then went on to earn a degree in Political Science from St. Xavier's College, followed by a post-graduate degree in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi. She later achieved both an M.Phil. and a Ph.D.

Pranjal appeared for the UPSC exams twice. In her first attempt in 2016, she secured the 744th rank, and in her second attempt in 2017, she significantly improved her rank to 124th.

Pranjal chose not to rely on any coaching centers for her preparation. Instead, she used special software that read study materials aloud, allowing her to prepare independently through auditory learning.

As India’s first visually impaired female IAS officer, Pranjal Patil’s story stands as a powerful example of resilience and inspires countless others to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles.