“It is not the circumstances, but the courage to rise above them that defines a person.”
Dumariyahi, a small village in Madhubani, had neither electricity nor paved roads. But what it lacked in infrastructure, it made up for in the dreams of a young boy and the dedication of his father. Praveen Kumar was born into a modest family – his father, Pramod Kumar, was a local tutor, and his mother, Kamala Devi, a homemaker. They didn’t have the financial means to send him to a private school, but what they did have was an unbreakable belief in the power of education.
“My father used to teach me till 11 PM by lantern light,” Praveen recalls. “He always dreamed I’d study in a Navodaya school. He believed education could be our way out.”
And he was right. Through hard work and resilience, Praveen Kumar cleared the 64th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam, securing an All Bihar Rank of 146. Today, he proudly serves as a police officer in Bihar Police – a tribute to the power of dreams, determination, and a father’s belief in his son.
The First Turning Point: Navodaya Vidyalaya
Against all odds, Praveen cracked the entrance exam for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in class 6. For a boy who had never heard spoken English in his village, moving into a hostel full of fluent speakers from across the district was nothing short of a cultural shock.
“English was a puzzle to me. I hadn’t even heard people speak it. But I didn’t give up,” he says with a smile.
He turned to cricket commentary on the radio, newspapers, and his teachers to master the language. The adjustment was tough, but the foundation of resilience was laid.
Chasing IIT Dreams Without Coaching
Like many Navodaya students, Praveen aspired to become an engineer. However, the financial constraints meant Kota and expensive coaching centers were out of reach.
He attempted IIT-JEE while in school but didn’t get a strong rank. Hoping to improve, he joined coaching in Patna – but quickly realized it was more of a business than a place for true learning.
“I left coaching after a month. I started studying on my own. I asked seniors for help whenever I got stuck.”
Though his IIT rank remained low, he secured a seat at NIT Rourkela, one of India’s premier engineering institutions.
A Job at Infosys and the Spark of Civil Services
While pursuing his B.Tech, Praveen got placed at Infosys. Life seemed stable. But destiny had more in store. In 2014, an interview with UPSC topper Gaurav Agarwal changed everything.
“I saw his YouTube interview. He had left an MNC job to pursue UPSC. It sparked a fire in me.”
Praveen began preparing for UPSC while working full-time in Bangalore. Juggling 13-hour shifts with study was daunting. But inspiration came from an unexpected source – a cab driver.
“He was preparing for UPSC while driving a cab. His determination shook me. If he could do it, why couldn’t I?”
That moment changed Praveen’s mindset forever.
Failures, Perseverance & Breakthrough
Despite his efforts, Praveen couldn’t clear the final stages of UPSC. To stay afloat financially and remain connected to studies, he taught IIT-JEE aspirants. But he soon realized that teaching engineering was a far cry from understanding governance.
In 2017, he pursued an MBA from TISS, Mumbai, and later landed a high-paying job with L&T, with an impressive ₹25 lakh per annum package.
Yet, something felt incomplete.
Mother’s Words, A Son’s Resolve
One day, his mother said something that hit him hard – “You’ve been away from home for so long… now do something where you can stay in Bihar and serve the people.”
That moment changed everything.
He turned to BPSC – a path that could bring him closer to home and help him serve the society he came from.
Victory in BPSC: From Labor Department to SDPO
In the 63rd BPSC, he secured 246th rank and joined the Labor Department. Not one to settle, he appeared again in the 64th BPSC and secured 146th rank, earning the prestigious post of SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer) in Mahanar, Vaishali.
“I had to work harder. I wasn’t satisfied until I could serve in a role where I made a real difference.”
Today, Praveen Kumar walks in police uniform, a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and purpose.
Tips from Praveen for Aspirants
Note-Making: Prepare concept-wise micro notes from a trusted source. Revise these before exams.
Presentation: Don’t overuse diagrams. Use flowcharts or visuals only if they enhance understanding.
Stay Focused: Avoid getting lost in too many resources. Clarity and consistency win.
Final Thoughts: Lighting the Lamp Within
Praveen Kumar’s story is proof that circumstances can dim your surroundings, but they can never dim your inner fire – if you choose to keep it alive.
“There was no electricity in the village, but there was light in the dreams.”
This light guided Praveen from a dimly lit hut in Dumariyahi to the hallways of power in Bihar Police. His journey reminds us that with vision, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit, no dream is ever out of reach.
