Born into a financially struggling single-parent family and living with a hearing impairment, Sanjay S. grew up watching his mother stitch clothes late into the night to support the household while his grandmother sold fruits on the streets to add to the family income. Education itself was often uncertain, and even attending classes was difficult because he could not clearly hear lectures.
Yet years later, Sanjay has achieved what many aspirants across the country dream of. The hearing-impaired candidate has secured All India Rank 953 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025.
His success did not come easily. Before finally clearing the examination, Sanjay faced four consecutive failures in the preliminary stage. In his fifth attempt, he cleared the prelims, mains, and interview in the same cycle and secured a place in the final list.
GROWING UP WITH LIMITED RESOURCES
Sanjay’s childhood was defined by modest means. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he saw firsthand how hard work sustained the family.
His mother works as a tailor, stitching garments for customers to earn a living. His grandmother, despite her age, sold fruits on the street to support the household. Their determination left a lasting impression on him.
“They come from very humble backgrounds, but their strength and determination have been the greatest inspiration in my life,” Sanjay shared in an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds.
Although they had little exposure to competitive examinations or government services, both of them tried to understand the civil services process as Sanjay began his preparation.
“Growing up, I watched them work tirelessly every day to support our family. Their sacrifices taught me the dignity of labour and the importance of continuing forward even during difficult times,” he added.
Whenever Sanjay experienced setbacks in his preparation, their encouragement helped him stay focused on his goal.
STUDYING WITH A HEARING DISABILITY
Sanjay’s hearing impairment posed another major obstacle throughout his education. Following lectures, participating in discussions, and understanding classroom teaching required additional effort.
There was a time when simply being able to attend classes and understand what teachers were explaining felt difficult.
A significant moment in his academic journey came when a senior arranged a hearing aid for him. This support allowed him to follow lectures more clearly and continue his studies with greater confidence.
“As a PwBD candidate, I did not want my disability to be seen as a limitation. Civil services became a path through which I could transform my challenges into strength and contribute meaningfully to society,” Sanjay explained.
Encouragement from teachers, friends, and mentors also helped him continue his education despite these challenges.
THE DIFFICULT PHASE OF REPEATED UPSC FAILURES
Sanjay’s UPSC preparation journey involved several disappointments before success finally arrived. He failed the preliminary examination four times consecutively.
“The most difficult phase in my preparation was facing repeated failures in the preliminary examination. Each failure brings disappointment and self-doubt, and there were moments when the journey felt very uncertain,” he said.
However, he decided to treat each attempt as an opportunity to improve. Instead of abandoning the goal, he analysed his mistakes and worked on improving his preparation strategy.
CHANGING STRATEGY FOR THE FIFTH ATTEMPT
After his fourth preliminary failure, Sanjay realised that persistence alone would not be enough. He needed to revise his approach.
He focused on strengthening his conceptual understanding, improving revision techniques, and practising more mock tests to become comfortable with the exam pattern.
Equally important was his mental preparation for the examination.
He also worked on maintaining calmness in the exam hall and focusing only on the questions in front of him rather than worrying about pressure or past attempts.
The new approach worked. In his fifth attempt, Sanjay cleared all three stages of the UPSC examination—Prelims, Mains, and Interview—and secured AIR 953.
BALANCING GOVERNMENT JOB AND UPSC PREPARATION
Even while preparing for UPSC, Sanjay was working in the government sector. He currently serves as a Group C official in the Income Tax Department.
Balancing job responsibilities with preparation required careful time management and discipline.
Despite a demanding schedule, he continued studying regularly while also remaining involved in social initiatives.
LEADERSHIP IN SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES
Sanjay has also been actively involved in community service through the Rotaract movement.
During his tenure as president of his Rotaract Club, he led several initiatives focused on health awareness and social inclusion.
These included:
- Anemia awareness programmes for women
- Outreach programmes for persons with disabilities
- Community engagement activities for youth
He also organised the first sports meet for differently-abled persons in his district, providing an inclusive platform for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports.
For his leadership and contributions, he received the Best President Award in the Rotaract network.
WORK DURING KERALA FLOOD RELIEF
Sanjay’s interest in public service was also shaped by his involvement during the 2018 Kerala floods.
During the disaster, he participated in relief efforts aimed at helping affected communities. His work during this period earned him recognition as an Inspired Icon Awardee.
“During the Kerala flood relief efforts and my work with differently-abled individuals, I saw the real impact public service can have on people’s lives. Those experiences strengthened my decision to pursue civil services,” he said.
UPSC INTERVIEW: A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION
Reflecting on the final stage of the examination, Sanjay describes the interview as an engaging discussion rather than a stressful evaluation.
“The interview was a very engaging experience. The board was cordial and created a comfortable environment for discussion. It felt less like a test and more like a meaningful conversation,” he recalled.
Many of the questions focused on his personal journey, his professional experiences, and his perspective as a person with a disability aspiring to serve in administration.
ADVICE FOR ASPIRANTS
After finally achieving success in his fifth attempt, Sanjay believes the most important factor in the UPSC journey is staying connected to a larger purpose.
“Our purpose should always be greater than our failures,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of having a supportive environment during long preparation years.
“Along with personal determination, family support is very important. Having the right mentors and friends who encourage you can make a huge difference during difficult phases,” he added.
