Komal Mittal IAS Biography: The IRS Officer Who Became AIR 19 | Inspiring Story

Major Achievements & Recognition – Komal Mittal IAS

Komal Mittal IAS has earned recognition and respect for her exceptional work in various administrative positions. Her journey from IRS to IAS, and her subsequent career achievements, have made her a role model for UPSC aspirants across India. Komal Mittal IAS is particularly known for her transparent administration, citizen-centric approach, and mentorship initiatives.

Detailed Biography – The Inspiring Journey of Komal Mittal IAS

Early Life: From Sonepat to Success

The story of Komal Mittal IAS begins in the town of Sonepat, Haryana, specifically in the Gurmandi locality. Born on 22 February 1989 into a business family, Komal grew up in an environment where entrepreneurship and hard work were valued. Her father, a businessman, provided a comfortable life and strong educational foundation for his children.

What makes Komal Mittal’s journey unique is that she would become the first person in her entire family to join government service, let alone achieve the prestigious Indian Administrative Service with an outstanding All India Rank of 19. This pioneering spirit would define her entire journey ahead.

Educational Journey: Following the Inner Voice

After completing Class 10, like many bright students, Komal Mittal initially chose the pre-medical stream, following the conventional path. However, something didn’t feel right. She experienced an internal conflict – her grades were good, but her heart wasn’t in it.

Then came the defining moment. Komal Mittal made a bold decision that would change her life trajectory. She listened to her “inner voice” and switched from pre-medical to commerce stream. This was not an easy decision – it meant going against the traditional mindset where medical and engineering were considered the only “prestigious” career paths.

Her father, despite coming from a business background where civil services weren’t the norm, supported her unconventional choice. This family support proved crucial. Komal Mittal completed her commerce graduation and then pursued an MBA, building a strong foundation in business administration, economics, and analytical thinking.

The UPSC Dream Takes Shape

During her MBA days, Komal Mittal developed an interest in public administration and governance. She read about IAS officers making real differences in people’s lives, implementing policies, and serving the nation. The idea of becoming an IAS officer took root in her mind.

After completing her MBA, Komal Mittal made another bold decision – to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. This meant dedicating months, possibly years, to one of the toughest competitive exams in the world, with no guaranteed outcome. But she had clarity about her goal and was ready to pursue it with conviction.

UPSC First Attempt 2012: The IRS Achievement

In 2012, Komal Mittal appeared for her first UPSC Civil Services Examination. Her preparation was thorough, her strategy was sound, and her determination was unwavering. When the results came out, she had secured All India Rank 125 – an excellent achievement by any standard!

With AIR 125, Komal Mittal was allotted the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), one of the prestigious Group A civil services. Most people would have celebrated this success and settled into a comfortable government job with excellent prospects. The IRS offers great career growth, good salary, and the prestige of being a civil servant.

But Komal Mittal IAS had a different vision. She had dreamed specifically of becoming an IAS officer. While she was grateful for the IRS selection, she knew in her heart that she wanted more. She wanted to be in the field, working directly with people, implementing policies at the grassroots level, serving as a District Magistrate – roles that only IAS officers typically get.

The Courageous Decision: Attempting Again from IRS Training

Here comes the most inspiring part of Komal Mittal’s journey. In September 2014, she joined the Indian Revenue Service training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie. She could have simply focused on her IRS training, completed it, and taken a posting. Life would have been comfortable.

But Komal Mittal made an extraordinarily courageous decision – she decided to appear for UPSC CSE 2013 while still undergoing her IRS training. Think about the challenges:

• Managing rigorous IRS training schedule
• Finding time for UPSC preparation alongside training
• Dealing with psychological pressure of already having a government job
• Risk of not improving rank or even not qualifying
• Balancing training responsibilities with exam preparation

Most people would have found excuses – “I’m already in IRS, why take risk?”, “I’m too busy with training”, “What if I don’t improve my rank?” But Komal Mittal IAS believed in herself. She had learned from her first attempt, identified her weak areas, and developed a better strategy.

UPSC 2013: The Magnificent Achievement of AIR 19

The result day of UPSC CSE 2013 was life-changing for Komal Mittal. When the results were announced, her name appeared at All India Rank 19 – a phenomenal achievement!

From rank 125 to rank 19 – she had improved by a staggering 106 ranks! This wasn’t just an improvement; it was a transformation. Komal Mittal IAS had proven that with the right strategy, dedication, and self-belief, dramatic improvements are possible.

With AIR 19, she was now selected for the Indian Administrative Service, her dream service. She was allotted the Punjab cadre as part of the 2014 batch of IAS officers. Her dream of becoming an IAS officer had finally come true!

Training Years (2014-2017): Building the Foundation

From September 2014 to December 2017, Komal Mittal IAS underwent comprehensive training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie. This included:

• Foundation Course: Learning about Indian constitution, governance, ethics, and administration
• District Training: Spending months in a district to understand grassroots administration
• Bharat Darshan: Traveling across India to understand the country’s diversity
• Professional Training: Specialized training in various aspects of administration
• State Training: Punjab-specific training to understand state administration

First Posting (2018): SDM Mukerian

In 2018, Komal Mittal IAS received her first field posting as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Mukerian in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. This was where the real journey of administration began.

As SDM, she was responsible for:

• Revenue administration and land records
• Law and order maintenance
• Implementation of development schemes
• Conducting elections
• Handling public grievances

Komal Mittal IAS approached her first posting with enthusiasm and dedication. She made regular field visits, interacted with villagers, understood their problems, and worked towards solutions. This grassroots experience proved invaluable for her future career.

Rise Through Ranks (2019-2021)

Based on her excellent performance, Komal Mittal IAS was given progressively responsible positions:

2019-2020: Additional Deputy Commissioner, SAS Nagar (Mohali)

She served as ADC (General) and later ADC (Urban Development), handling various administrative responsibilities in one of Punjab’s most developed districts. This gave her exposure to urban governance challenges.

2020-2021: Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar

This was a significant posting where Komal Mittal IAS handled urban civic services, sanitation, water supply, and municipal governance of the holy city of Amritsar. She also served as CEO of Amritsar Smart City Ltd., implementing technology-driven urban solutions.

2021-2022: Additional Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs

At the state government level, she handled policy formulation and implementation related to Public Distribution System, food security, and consumer protection – crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

First District Command (Nov 2022 – Feb 2025): DC Hoshiarpur

In November 2022, Komal Mittal IAS achieved a major career milestone – she was appointed as Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Hoshiarpur district. This was her first district command, where she was the administrative head of the entire district.

As DC Hoshiarpur, Komal Mittal IAS was responsible for:

• Overall district administration and coordination
• Revenue administration and land records management
• Law and order maintenance
• Implementation of all government schemes and programs
• Disaster management and crisis response
• Conducting elections
• Development planning and execution
• Public grievance redressal

During her tenure in Hoshiarpur, she worked on multiple development initiatives, streamlined administrative processes, and earned appreciation for her accessible and transparent style of governance.

Current Role (Feb 2025 – Present): DC SAS Nagar (Mohali)

In February 2025, recognizing her administrative capabilities, Komal Mittal IAS was transferred as Deputy Commissioner of SAS Nagar (Mohali) – one of Punjab’s most strategically important districts.

Mohali is significant because:

• IT hub and industrial center of Punjab
• Adjoins Chandigarh, the state capital
• Rapidly growing urban area with complex governance challenges
• Home to major educational institutions and hospitals
• Significant commercial and residential development

As DC Mohali, Komal Mittal IAS is now handling one of the most challenging and high-profile postings in Punjab. Her responsibilities include managing urban growth, ensuring law and order in a complex urban-rural mix, implementing flagship schemes, and maintaining the district’s development momentum.

Giving Back (May 2025): School Mentor

In May 2025, the Chief Minister of Punjab appointed Komal Mittal IAS as the mentor for School of Eminence in Sector 91, Mohali. This is a special school for exceptionally bright students, and Komal Mittal IAS now has the additional responsibility of guiding and mentoring these young minds.

This role allows her to share her journey, inspire students, and contribute to shaping future leaders. It’s a testament to her complete personality – not just an administrator but also a mentor and role model.

Lessons & Inspiration from Komal Mittal IAS Journey

Specific UPSC Preparation Insights from Her Journey:

• Attempt Analysis: Compare both attempts to identify improvement areas
• Answer Writing: Must have significantly improved answer writing between attempts
• Interview Preparation: AIR 19 indicates excellent interview performance
• Optional Strategy: Her commerce/MBA background likely helped in optional selection
• Current Affairs: Continuous reading even during IRS training paid off
• Mental Strength: Handling pressure of reappearing while in service shows mental toughness
• Consistency Matters: Regular study schedule even during training

Conclusion: 

Komal Mittal IAS represents the best of what Indian civil services can be. Her journey from a student in Sonepat to securing All India Rank 19 in UPSC and now serving as Deputy Commissioner of a crucial district like Mohali is nothing short of inspirational.

What makes her story special is not just the achievement of AIR 19, but the journey to reach there – the courage to switch streams, the determination to attempt UPSC again despite being in IRS, the 106-rank improvement, and the commitment to never settle for less than her dreams.

As she continues her administrative career, Komal Mittal IAS is not just implementing government policies; she’s transforming lives, inspiring aspirants, and proving that with determination and the right strategy, any goal is achievable.