“Hard work is the bridge between dreams and reality.”
In the peaceful village of Savadi in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, life rarely moves beyond farming fields, local schools, and everyday survival. But sometimes, from such quiet places, extraordinary stories emerge – stories that redefine what is possible.
One such story is of Basavaraj Dhareppa Kempawad, a 25-year-old farmer’s son who has now become the All India Rank 1 in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination-2025 conducted by UPSC.
His journey is not built on privilege, coaching, or shortcuts. It is built on failure, isolation, discipline, and relentless self-belief. From studying in village schools to spending 14-hour days in Bengaluru libraries, from failing in his first attempt to topping the country in his second, his life is a reminder that success is created in silence, not comfort.
His Background: Rooted in Farming, Guided by Purpose
Basavaraj comes from a humble agricultural family in Savadi village, Athani taluk, Belagavi district, Karnataka. His father, Dhareppa Kempawad, is a farmer, and the family has always lived a life closely tied to agriculture and hard work. Financial conditions were modest, but education was always valued.
He completed his schooling in Karnataka – early education in Savadi village, followed by secondary schooling at the Morarji Desai Residential School. He pursued PU at Yallatti and later completed his B.Sc. in Forestry from the College of Forestry, Sirsi, Uttara Kannada. His deep connection with nature and forests naturally shaped his decision to pursue the Indian Forest Service.
Journey So Far: From First Failure to AIR 1 Triumph
Basavaraj’s UPSC journey was not instant success—it was built step by step.
- He appeared for the UPSC Indian Forest Service examination twice
- In his first attempt in UPSC IFS-2024, he failed to clear the prelims stage
- Then, he carefully analyzed his mistakes and completely rebuilt his strategy
- In his second attempt, he secured All India Rank 1 in IFS, becoming the topper among 148 candidates
That transformation from failure to national topper defines his journey more than the rank itself. It shows how reflection and persistence can completely change outcomes.
The Biggest Struggle: Pressure, Isolation, and Silent Battles
His success story carries deep emotional struggle behind it. Coming from a farming family, financial limitations were always present. His father even had to lease farmland at times to support his education.
After moving to Bengaluru for UPSC preparation, life became even more challenging. He lived alone in a rented room, studied without coaching, and spent long hours in libraries. The toughest battle was not academic—it was emotional: dealing with loneliness, fear after failure, and pressure to succeed with limited resources.
His Preparation Strategy: Discipline Built in Silence
Basavaraj’s preparation was simple but extremely disciplined. He relied completely on self-study and followed a strict routine that shaped his success.
- He prepared entirely through self-study without any coaching institute, only took guidance from some mentors
- He studied nearly 14 hours daily (10 AM to midnight) in Bengaluru libraries
- He focused on limited study sources with repeated revisions instead of multiple books
- He kept his mobile phone switched off during study hours to maintain focus
- After failing in his first attempt, he identified mistakes and rebuilt his strategy systematically
- He chose Forestry and Geology as optional subjects based on his academic background
His preparation was not about doing many things—it was about doing the right things repeatedly with discipline.
Interview Experience: Passion That Cannot Be Memorized
The UPSC interview for the Indian Forest Service tested personality, clarity, and passion more than academic knowledge. Basavaraj stood out because his answers came from real life experiences.
He shared a childhood memory of growing eucalyptus saplings even in small spaces at home, showing his natural connection with trees long before exam preparation. He was asked questions on forest conservation, biodiversity, tiger population in India, and environmental challenges.
- Why he chose the Indian Forest Service over IAS
- Forest conservation and environmental protection challenges
- Biodiversity and wildlife management in India
- Tiger population and ecological balance issues
- Local forest species and scientific awareness
His answers reflected honesty and emotional connection rather than memorized content, which became his biggest strength.
The Result: All India Rank 1 in Indian Forest Service
Basavaraj Dhareppa Kempawad achieved All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Indian Forest Service Examination, standing first among candidates across India. From a small farming village in Belagavi to becoming the national topper, his journey has become a powerful inspiration for thousands of aspirants.
Message for Aspirants: What His Journey Teaches
His journey carries one simple message—success is not about background, but about consistency. Coaching, resources, or city life are not deciding factors; discipline and daily effort are.
He strongly believes that failure should be treated as feedback, rural background is not a limitation, and self-study with focus can outperform any external guidance when done sincerely.
A Journey That Redefines What Is Possible
The story of Basavaraj Dhareppa Kempawad is not just about topping an exam. It is about a boy from a farming village who faced failure, rebuilt himself in silence, and rose to become AIR 1 in the Indian Forest Service.
His journey proves one powerful truth – dreams are not limited by where you come from, but by how determined you are to continue when things get difficult.
