Munish Sood
MANDI: From the quiet hills of Sanjauli, a town in the suburbs of Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla, to the academic corridors of India’s top institutions, Damini Singh Brar has charted an extraordinary journey — one that is reshaping what determination and self-discipline can achieve in modern education.
In a feat that speaks volumes about her academic excellence and mental resilience, Damini has secured All India Rank 1 in the PhD entrance exam in Psychology at IIT-Kanpur, while also topping both the written test and interview round at IIT-Delhi, where she will now pursue her doctoral studies.
Her list of achievements doesn’t end there. Damini also cracked the entrance exam at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, India’s most prestigious institute for mental health and neurosciences, earning an interview invitation after acing the written round. To top it all, she cleared the UGC-NET in Psychology in her very first attempt in December 2024—without the aid of coaching or institutional guidance.
Every milestone has been achieved through independent study and self-motivation, a rarity in an era dominated by coaching culture.
Stellar academic path
Damini’s academic credentials are equally impressive. She holds a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, widely regarded as one of India’s leading social science institutions. Her undergraduate journey began at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, where she pursued English Honours. Back in school, she was the Class 12 board topper in the Shimla region, setting the tone early for a life of scholastic distinction.
What sets Damini apart is not just where she has studied but how she has done it. Every step of her academic path has been self-driven, devoid of formal coaching or mentorship programs. Her success is built entirely on discipline, focus, and a deep-rooted passion for psychology.
Humble roots, unshakable resolve
Damini comes from a modest family background. Her father Rajnish Brar serves as a sanitation inspector with the Shimla Municipal Corporation, and her mother Meera Brar is a homemaker. Yet, without the privileges that often accompany elite academic success, Damini has proven that intellect, grit and sincerity can break through any barrier.
Her story is not just about cracking exams but about rewriting the rules of what it means to succeed in India’s fiercely competitive academic landscape. At a time when coaching centres have become synonymous with entrance preparation, Damini’s journey is a powerful reminder that self-belief and consistency can be equally potent tools.
