Ishwarlal Gurjar hails from Bhamar ka Badiya, a small village in Gyangarh, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. Until the ninth grade, his life mirrored that of many children in rural India—simple and tied to nature. He spent his days swimming in ponds, grazing cattle, and tending to goats and sheep. Living with his grandparents, his childhood was ordinary yet marked by the challenges of limited educational resources.
Despite these constraints, Ishwarlal achieved milestones his family and village had never seen before: he was the first in his family to pass the 10th grade, the first to clear the 12th grade, the first to graduate, and later, the first from his village to secure a government job.
A DEFINING SETBACK
In June 2011, Ishwarlal faced a turning point when he failed his 10th-grade exams in Mathematics and Science. A supplementary exam a month later ended in failure as well. Disheartened, he considered quitting school entirely.
Encouragement from his father, who ran a small grocery shop in Surat, and mentors like his PTI teacher, Mr Ramnarayan, and relative Mr Nathulal persuaded him to continue. Re-enrolling in the 10th grade in August 2011, he faced a classroom full of curious eyes. Slowly, he caught up academically, improving handwriting, language, and study habits, proving that setbacks could be overcome with effort and focus.
THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A CAREER
After completing the 12th grade, Ishwarlal was introduced to the BSTC (Basic School Teaching Certificate) exam by Mr. Mahavir, a teacher in his village. BSTC offered the path to become a third-grade teacher, a stable government position.
Ishwarlal also attempted several other government exams, including Forest Guard, Jail Prahari, Constable, Patwari, and Army recruitment. Success did not come easily; financial constraints and a lack of a strong academic foundation made each attempt challenging. Yet he persevered. In February 2018, he finally succeeded, securing a rank of 542 in the REET exam and becoming a primary teacher—a monumental achievement for someone who had once failed the 10th grade.
INSPIRATION TO AIM HIGHER
Life seemed settled after his first job and marriage, but a chance meeting inspired a new ambition. Mr Mahendru Pal, an IAS officer from a nearby village, encouraged Ishwarlal to consider the UPSC exams. Sharing a poem about self-transformation as the first step toward change, Mahendru Pal convinced him that civil services were within reach, even for someone from a humble background.
Ishwarlal began with the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS), clearing the prelims in 2018 but narrowly missing the mains by 40 marks. Balancing a teaching job and family responsibilities limited his ability to prepare full-time.
THE UPSC JOURNEY
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Ishwarlal focused on the UPSC CSE 2020. With limited preparation time and ongoing responsibilities, he cleared the prelims and appeared for the mains with just 90 days of preparation. Despite gaps in English and his optional subject, he reached the interview stage, only to miss final selection by 39 marks.
Weeks later, he attempted the 2021 prelims but failed narrowly by five marks. The contrast between nearly clearing the exam one year and falling short the next was disheartening. Yet, with family responsibilities, a teaching job, and the arrival of his daughter, Ishwarlal did not give up.
ACHIEVING THE DREAM
In 2022, he refined his preparation strategy and balanced UPSC with other state exams. His efforts paid off: he cleared the Rajasthan Police Sub-Inspector exam, RAS prelims and mains, and finally, the UPSC prelims and mains. By May 2023, he secured a place in the IRS, achieved the 22nd rank in RAS, and qualified as a Rajasthan Police Sub-Inspector.
The culmination of his journey came with the UPSC CSE 2024 results, where he achieved All India Rank 483, earning a place in the Indian Police Service. From a student who struggled with basic exams to a civil servant set to serve the nation, Ishwarlal’s journey is remarkable.
LESSONS FROM THE JOURNEY
Ishwarlal’s story is not just about exams or ranks; it is about learning from setbacks, consistent effort, and seeking guidance when needed. Along the way, he formed friendships, met inspiring mentors, and discovered the value of determination and focus.
As he prepares to begin his career as an IPS officer, Ishwarlal reflects on a journey that transformed not only his professional life but also his personal outlook. From the classrooms of his village to the corridors of power, his story demonstrates that early failures do not define the future and that steady effort, combined with learning from mistakes, can open doors once thought impossible.
