A sub-inspector’s son, a doctor on break, a serving deputy collector: UPSC results bring joy to variety of aspirants

This being his fifth attempt, the engineering student took up political science and international relations as his optional subject. “All these years of hard work have finally brought results and I am keeping my fingers crossed for a position as an IAS officer. One has to sacrifice many things while preparing for this exam. Now, I am looking forward to planning a trip with my friends,” said an exalted Shubham.

A doctor by profession, 28-year-old Tejas Sudeep Sarda took a break from his career to prepare for UPSC, in which he secured an AIR 128. “It’s my fourth attempt and to crack this examination, I gave up on my hobbies of dancing and playing tennis. I began preparing during Covid, but with everything going online, things didn’t work out in my favour back then. After being misled by several coaching institutes, I started preparing on my own and that brought me here. It’s very important to understand the nature of the examination and accordingly have expectations from yourself.”

Tejas now plans to serve as an IPS officer. Priyanka Mohite (23) from Nashik, who completed her master’s degree in political science at Pune University, and secured an AIR 595, said, “I and my family are overjoyed with the results. Since January 2023, I’ve been studying seven to eight hours every day, sometimes even more, to crack this exam. It’s my second attempt, and the only way to succeed is by being consistent . Coming from an arts background made it difficult for me to succeed at first, but I eventually did it with my hard work. I now aim to be an IAS officer.”

Abhijit Pakhare, a 26-year-old who is currently serving as the deputy collector in Gadchiroli, did not give up on his dream of clearing the UPSC examination. Hailing from Beed district where both his parents are school teachers, Pakhare came to Pune to pursue a bachelors degree from Fergusson College. Despite clearing the Maharashtra Public Service Commission exam, he continued his UPSC preparation, waking up early to study and studying after coming back from work every day.

Pakhare had already made it to the interview round twice before but could not get selected “due to under-confidence”. However, he said, this time he not only worked on his confidence but also English-speaking skills and that paid off this time as he attained the 720th rank.

“UPSC gives you a much broader experience and a better status than a position in the state services. I have only wanted to serve the country and with a position in the All India Services, I can serve better,” he said.

Like Pakhare, Himanshu Thembekar (31), who is serving as a field officer in the environment department, was determined to clear the UPSC exam. In his very last attempt this year, he managed to secure AIR 738.

“The department where I worked was quite technical and my interest lies more in being in direct contact with people. I am interested in culture and society and the All India services appealed to me much more,” said Pakhare.

Born in Dhule, Himanshu came to Pune to prepare for the civil services shortly after his graduation in Mumbai. He got a government job which then took him to Shimla but his passion for UPSC as well as his native language Marathi did not waiver. He chose to write all his exams in Marathi itself.