https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

5 Failures, 1 IPS Rank, 1 IAS – The Vishal Narwade Story

Vishal Narwade, an IIIT graduate, failed UPSC five times but never gave up. From IPS to IAS in his sixth attempt, his journey is truly inspiring
Indian Masterminds Stories

For thousands of young Indians, cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination is a dream that demands years of relentless effort, sacrifice, and patience. While many falter under its sheer difficulty, some refuse to give up. One such name is Vishal Narwade, an IIIT graduate who failed the UPSC exam five times before finally securing an All India Rank of 91 on his sixth attempt and fulfilling his dream of becoming an IAS officer.

THE EARLY YEARS AND THE UPSC CALLING

Having done his schooling from JNV, Vishal was a bright student from the start. He pursued a B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering at IIIT Jabalpur, a prestigious institute known for shaping the careers of India’s top engineers. While studying, he realized that his true calling lay beyond corporate life—he wanted to serve the country by joining the civil services. That realization set him on a path that would test his patience and self-belief like never before.

FAILURES, SETBACKS, AND THE FIRST BREAKTHROUGH

The UPSC exam is notorious for its unpredictability. Despite being an IIIT graduate, Vishal struggled to clear the exam five times in a row. Each failure could have shattered his confidence, but he refused to back down. Instead of getting discouraged, he analyzed his mistakes, refined his strategy, and kept pushing forward.

His efforts bore fruit in 2016 when he cleared the UPSC exam and became an IPS officer. Though it was a huge achievement, Vishal wasn’t satisfied. His ultimate goal was the Indian Administrative Service, and he wasn’t ready to stop until he got there.

THE SIXTH ATTEMPT AND THE IAS DREAM REALIZED

Three years after becoming an IPS officer, Vishal appeared for the UPSC exam again in 2019. This time, he finally made it to the IAS, securing 91st rank in his sixth attempt. The moment was nothing short of life-changing. Years of struggle, long hours of studying, and countless sacrifices had finally paid off.

WHAT KEPT HIM GOING?

For many UPSC aspirants, multiple failures can be disheartening. Vishal’s journey, however, is a reminder that success comes to those who refuse to quit. He strongly advises students to:

  • Avoid comparisons: Everyone’s journey is unique, and measuring oneself against others only leads to unnecessary stress.
  • Stick to a plan: Constantly changing study materials or preparation strategies can be counterproductive.
  • Believe in oneself: Confidence and self-motivation are key to overcoming setbacks.

AN INSPIRATION FOR FUTURE CIVIL SERVANTS

Vishal Narwade’s story is not just about clearing an exam—it’s about relentless effort, staying strong in the face of repeated failures, and never losing sight of the goal. His journey from an IIIT graduate to an IPS officer and finally an IAS officer serves as a powerful message to every aspirant who has ever doubted themselves after a setback.

His success proves that it’s not about how many times you fail—it’s about how many times you rise and try again.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
mp
MP’s Rs3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, Rs5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
FINNOVATION 2025
SBI & IIT Guwahati Celebrate FINNOVATION 2025 Winners in Gurugram, Empowering Young Innovators to Solve Banking Challenges
nitish-kumar
Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar Inaugurates Rs 44 Crore Six-Lane Pull-Up Ramp in Patna, Aims to Ease Traffic Congestion- Know More
CM yogi
UP: CM Yogi Inaugurates Two New Kalyan Mandaps in Gorakhpur, Emphasizes Accessible Celebration Spaces- Full Details Inside
CISF
National Security at Risk: Centre Opposes Supreme Court Ruling Curtailing IPS Deputation in CAPFs, Says IPS Presence is Crucial
sbk-singh-1753948795
IPS SBK Singh Appointed as Delhi’s New DG of Prisons After Brief Police Commissioner Stint
D
PNB Housing Finance Appoints D. Surendran as Non-Executive Nominee Director; Brings 35 Years of Banking Experience - Know More About His Journey
Pushkar Singh Dhami CM
Uttarakhand: CM Dhami Monitors Chamoli Cloudburst Relief Efforts, Army and SDRF Lead Swift Rescue Operation
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
mp
MP’s Rs3 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Boom: 255 km Greenfield Highway, Rs5,500 Cr Tiger Corridor Among Key Road Projects
FINNOVATION 2025
SBI & IIT Guwahati Celebrate FINNOVATION 2025 Winners in Gurugram, Empowering Young Innovators to Solve Banking Challenges
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