K. Jayaganesh’s journey to becoming an IRS officer is a tale of unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of his dreams, against the backdrop of life’s harsh realities. Born into a family where making ends meet was a daily struggle, Jayaganesh’s ambitions seemed like a distant star in the vast sky of his hardships. But his dreams were big, and his willpower and determination were even bigger.
Starting from working in a factory, then a waiter, at a very young age to support his family, Mr. Jayaganesh experienced failure many times in his quest to achieve significant goals. However, embodying the proverb “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” he finally succeeded in passing the UPSC exam on his 7th attempt.
His journey to becoming an esteemed IRS officer is a narrative of perseverance, hope, and the relentless pursuit of one’s aspirations.
Speaking exclusively with Indian Masterminds, Mr Jayaganesh talked about his inspiring journey and also gave some valuable tips for UPSC aspirants.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Till his 10th standard, he was also working as a supervisor in a local tanning factory. After that, he enrolled in a polytechnic for job prospects. After graduating in 2000, he secured a low-paying job in Bangalore, but quit later to start his UPSC preparation.
He gave a total of 7 attempts in UPSC. In his first three attempts, he could not clear even the prelims examination. In his 4th attempt, he cleared the mains and appeared for the interview, but could not make it to the final list.
In his 5th attempt, he again could not pass the prelims. By now, he was heartbroken, but giving up was not his attitude. He appeared for the 6th attempt in UPSC CSE-2007 and reached the interview round.
But, unfortunately, his name again did not feature in the final list.
In his final and 7th attempt in UPSC CSE-2008, he went to Delhi with greater resolve and determination. Finally, his hard work of years paid off and he cracked the exam with rank 156.
Meanwhile, he had also got selected in Intelligence Bureau (IB), but did not join. He chose IRS over it.
Mr. Jayaganesh said, “I had the option of IPS. But my height was 164 centimetre. So, thinking I might not be eligible for IPS, I chose IRS. Everyone has their own struggle, but if one has dedication and determination, then everything is possible.”
BACKGROUND
Mr. Jayaganesh originally hails from Tirupattur district (carved out from Vellore district in 2019) in Tamil Nadu. He was born and brought up in a small village called Vinavamangalam. His father use to work in a leather factory for a meagre salary. He has three siblings.
He did his basic education in his home district. Following the completion of the 10th grade, he pursued further education by enrolling in a polytechnic, enticed by the promise of immediate employment upon graduation.
Then he pursued Mechanical Engineering at the Tanthi Periyar Institute of Technology.
After completing studies, he got a job in a company, where he used to get a salary of Rs. 2,500 a month. But his aim was UPSC. So he left the job and started preparation.
STRUGGLE
Upon resigning from his job, Mr. Jayaganesh returned to his village, where his father had recently received a bonus of Rs. 6,500.
Determined to pursue his goal of becoming a civil servant, Mr. Jayaganesh invested the entire sum in purchasing books for civil services exam preparation. He devoted himself to rigorous study in preparation for his first CSE exam.
But, he did not know that the real struggle of UPSC has just begun. He continuously failed in his first three attempts.
Realizing the shortcomings that led to his failures, Mr. Jayaganesh relocated to Chennai, enrolling in a Government Coaching Centre where he also received accommodation.
Despite facing challenges, he persevered and successfully cleared his prelims on his fourth attempt.
However, he had to find alternative accommodation after the coaching centre’s support ended post-prelims.
Securing a job at Sathyam Cinemas as a billing clerk, he also worked as a waiter to audience during intervals. But, he never failed ashamed of his work as he felt that he was destined to achieve his larger goals.
UPSC PREPRATION
In Mr. Jayaganesh’s opinion, UPSC preparation revolves around two fundamental activities: reading and writing, both of which are indispensable.
One must engage extensively in both the practices, as missing out on either could jeopardize the chances of selection. Cultivating a habit of reading widely and writing consistently is crucial.
Emphasizing that writing skill is particularly vital; he further said that regular practice of writing enhances proficiency.
A strong performance in the mains significantly boosts the chances of selection, even if interview scores are comparatively lower.
“Therefore, aspiring candidates should prioritize honing their writing abilities to maximize their chances of success in the UPSC examination,” he said. Apart from it, PYQs and mock tests are also key to cracking the exam, he added.
MESSAGE
Giving suggestions for UPSC aspirants, Mr. Jayaganesh said, “Be disciplined, and focus on your goal and passion. If you want to achieve what you have dreamt of, then consistently work towards it.”
People like Mr. K. Jayaganesh are a testament to the belief that nothing is impossible in this world. Their journey underscores the power of hard work and unwavering determination in achieving greatness.
