“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi
In the heart of Chhattisgarh, a man who lost his father at the tender age of 17, grew up amidst financial struggles, and juggled a demanding full-time job at Bhilai Steel Plant, has risen above every obstacle to carve a place among the state’s finest civil servants. Yashwant Kumar Dewangan, a diploma engineer from Korba, transformed every hardship into fuel for his dreams. From studying during 10-minute breaks in the canteen to sacrificing leisure for rigorous preparation, he defied the odds to secure 3rd rank in CGPSC 2024.
His journey is not just a success story – it reflects resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination, proving that no challenge is too great when ambition meets action.
Early Life and Background
He hails from Korba, Chhattisgarh, as the youngest of four brothers and one sister. Life threw its first challenge at him early when his father, Bharat Lal Dewangan, passed away due to illness while Yashwant was in 12th grade. The family faced significant financial hardships, and his elder brothers became pillars of support.
Though he aspired to become a graduate engineer, financial constraints led him to pursue a diploma in engineering. Immediately after completing his diploma, he joined Aryan Group ACB Mining Company in Korba, earning a starting salary of Rs. 7,000. After five and a half years, he transitioned to Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in 2013, starting in the Electrical Repair Shop (ERS) after completing two months of training in the rail mill.
Despite the security of his BSP job as an Engineering Associate, Yashwant was determined not to settle. He set his sights on a bigger goal: becoming a civil servant through CGPSC.
Journey So Far
Yashwant’s CGPSC journey officially began in 2019, balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities. Over the years, he faced multiple setbacks:
- 2020-21: Started preparing while appearing for prelims and mains
- 2022: Secured rank 164, but did not get a position
- 2023: Failed to clear prelims, leading him to take a one-year dedicated break
His perseverance culminated in 2024, when he achieved 3rd rank in his second interview, scoring 769 marks. This journey highlights that persistence, self-improvement, and strategic learning can overcome even years of struggle.
Preparation Strategy: The Working Professional Approach
Balancing a full-time job at BSP and CGPSC preparation required ingenuity. He developed a “Working Professional Strategy”, which became a model for aspirants –
Time Management
- Utilized lunch breaks, tea breaks, and even 10-minute intervals to study, often on his mobile via PDFs.
- After work, dedicated uninterrupted hours for focused study.
- Prioritized quality over quantity, ensuring each study session had maximum impact.
Core Study Approach
- 75/25 Rule: 75% of time for problem-solving (MCQs and mains answer writing), 25% for theory and revision
- Accountability Tracking: Maintained meticulous records of mistakes and progress to prevent repetition
Stage-Specific Strategies:
- Prelims: Focused on high-weightage topics, reducing “silly mistakes” via mock test analysis
- Mains: Applied engineering-style precision, using data, diagrams, and structured answers
- Interview: Leveraged real-life BSP experience to answer situational questions on leadership, ethics, and crisis management
Smart Resource Utilization
- Chhattisgarh Samagra Adhyan (2026 Edition) for current affairs
- Chhattisgarh Ki Janjatiyaan (2026 5th Edition) for tribal and social structures
- Standard resources like Laxmikanth for polity
Biggest Struggles in the Journey
Yashwant faced challenges on multiple fronts:
- Early Financial Hardships: Lost father at a young age, couldn’t pursue higher studies due to money
- Balancing Work and Studies: Long 8-hour shifts at BSP, family commitments, and study hours demanded extreme discipline
- Repeated Failures: 2022’s rank 164 and 2023 prelims failure tested his resolve
- Limited Study Time: On some days, he barely had a minute to study and had to compensate later
Yet, these struggles strengthened his discipline, resilience, and focus.
Turning Points
Joining BSP in 2013: Provided financial stability and exposure to professional discipline
2019 – Starting CGPSC Preparation: The realization that consistent effort could bring better opportunities
2023 – One-Year Dedicated Break: A decisive move to focus solely on preparation, which set the stage for 2024 success
Family and Colleague Support: Wife Monika, son Aryan, elder brother, sister, department head, and colleagues all provided motivation and practical help
The Interview Experience
His interview was a showcase of practical knowledge, ethics, and leadership, emphasizing personality over mere factual recall –
- Technical Skills in Governance: Asked how engineering expertise could improve grassroots administration
- Village Economy: Strategies to make the Gauthan scheme economically sustainable
- Administrative Ethics: Handling political pressures during controversial land acquisition
- Cultural Knowledge: Questions on traditional jewelry and festivals of Chhattisgarh
- Hobbies & Social Impact: Bridging the digital divide and motivating rural students
He meticulously prepared by drawing from real-life experiences at BSP, which helped him confidently tackle situational and personality-based questions.
Role of Family and Support System
Yashwant credits his wife Monika Dewangan as a cornerstone of his success. With an MA in English, she guided him through difficult topics, explained concepts, and acted as wife, friend, and teacher.
His 8-year-old son Aryan and extended family also contributed moral and emotional support. Even his BSP colleagues and department heads believed in his potential, providing encouragement and understanding during his preparation period.
Message to Aspirants
His advice is a blueprint for aspirants, especially working professionals –
- Daily Accountability: Track mistakes, monitor progress, and ensure consistency
- Balance Theory and Practice: Spend 75% of time solving problems and 25% on reading/revision
- State-Specific Knowledge: Deep understanding of Chhattisgarh’s history, culture, and issues is essential
- Control Silly Mistakes: Frequent mock tests and analysis distinguish top rankers
- Standard Resources Only: Avoid overloading with books; focus on authoritative sources
He emphasizes that discipline, smart planning, and persistence outweigh natural talent alone.
In the End, Hard Work and Focus Are What Truly Matter
Yashwant Kumar Dewangan’s story is a testament to the idea that hard work, focus, and unwavering belief in oneself can overcome any obstacle. From a young boy who lost his father and faced financial hardships, to a diligent diploma engineer balancing job, family, and preparation, and finally to a Deputy Collector and CGPSC 3rd ranker, his journey is inspiring for aspirants across India.
As he proved, success is crafted not in luck, but in the small disciplined actions taken every single day, even during a 10-minute break at a steel plant canteen.
