https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

35 Failures, 1 Dream—UPSC 

Indian Masterminds Stories

Vijay Wardhan’s journey to becoming an IAS officer isn’t your typical success story. This young man from Sirsa, Haryana, took on the challenge of 35 different government exams, failing each one, but never lost hope. In 2019, after years of setbacks, he cleared one of the world’s toughest exams—the UPSC Civil Services Exam—with an impressive All India Rank of 104. His journey is one of relentless pursuit and an unshakeable belief that setbacks do not define a person’s future, but how they are faced does. He is currently posted as Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Rohroo, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. 

THE START OF THE EXAM 

Mr. Wardhan’s dream began in 2013 after he completed his degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Sirsa. Like many, he was drawn to the allure of becoming a civil servant, but the road was far from smooth. His first attempt at the UPSC Civil Services in 2014 failed, and so did his second in 2015. By his third attempt in 2016, he reached the interview stage, only to miss the final list by six marks. Despite the repeated failures, he didn’t give up.

“Hum Honge Kamyaab Ek Din was my guiding motto in the journey,” he shared with Indian Masterminds

The failures didn’t stop at UPSC. Mr. Wardhan attempted numerous other competitive exams, from state public service commissions to the prestigious RBI Grade B and ISRO exams, but found himself falling short repeatedly. “Despite clearing prelim exams over 95% of the time, I would often stumble in the final stages. From the Rajasthan Administrative Services to the Haryana Civil Services, my name was consistently missing from the final list,” Mr. Wardhan shared. 

THE WEDDING DAY SETBACK 

One of the most memorable moments in Mr. Wardhan’s journey came on April 27, 2018, the day of his brother’s wedding. On this same day, the results for UPSC were announced, and the entire family had high hopes. “Sweets were ordered in anticipation of my name finally being on the list. However, when the results came out, my name was missing once again. The festive atmosphere turned heavy with disappointment, but I refused to let the failure ruin the day. After giving myself half an hour to process the result, I joined the wedding celebrations, danced, laughed, and embraced the joy of the moment,” Mr. Wardhan recalled. He knew that while exams happen every year, his brother’s wedding was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

This episode encapsulates the mindset he adopted throughout his journey: failure is not the end, and some moments in life deserve to be celebrated no matter the circumstances. “Never give up, but always have a backup plan after your first couple of attempts,” Mr. Wardhan told Indian Masterminds

ADAPTING AND LEARNING FROM FAILURE 

Mr. Wardhan’s path wasn’t just about persistence—it was about learning, adapting, and improving with every attempt. After numerous failed exams, he realized that sticking to old notes and methods wasn’t enough. He began revising his study materials every year, rewriting his notes to align with the latest exam trends. Rather than attributing them to bad luck or external factors, he acknowledged where he needed to improve and worked on those areas.

The power of positive reinforcement was also central to his preparation. Instead of letting cynicism creep in, he sought out mentors and friends who kept him focused and optimistic. He valued external feedback but ensured he stayed true to his methods and instincts, continually evolving his approach to suit his strengths.

Despite facing failure after failure, his family never once made him feel like a burden. Their emotional and financial backing allowed him to continue chasing his dream without guilt. “I believe that parents should stand by their children during tough times, understanding that the journey to success often takes time,” he said. 

THE FINAL PUSH

After his fourth failed attempt, many advised Mr. Wardhan to skip the 2018 UPSC exam, warning that he didn’t have enough time to prepare. However, he trusted his years of hard work and decided to go ahead. His persistence paid off when the results were announced in April 2019—Vijay Wardhan had finally cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam, securing a rank of 104 and earning his place in the prestigious Indian Administrative Service. 

EMBRACING FAILURE, CELEBRATING SUCCESS 

Looking back, the officer doesn’t see his failures as obstacles but as vital steps in his journey. Each setback taught him lessons that were crucial for his final success. His outlook remains grounded: “Life is unfair, but so is the process of birth itself. We win over millions of other competitors even before we are born.”

Vijay Wardhan’s story is not just about overcoming personal challenges; it is a powerful message for every UPSC aspirant or anyone struggling to achieve their dreams. His journey shows that even after 35 failures, success is possible with perseverance, self-reflection, and the right support. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IFS S Krithiga
Eco-Friendly Cottages, Tribal Cuisine, and Conservation: Inside Tamil Nadu’s Pachamalai Project
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT