https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Proving the Astrologer Wrong!

Indian Masterminds Stories

“It is said that if you truly want something, the whole universe conspires to bring it to you. My body was not supporting me, but at that time it felt like the whole world came together to help me. I got dengue during the exam, got bit by a dog, my mobile got stolen and then I got diarrhea as the exam approached. However, my efforts never waned and I was always looking for a ray of hope even in despair.” Narrating his struggle-filled success story, the 2018 batch IAS officer Navjivan Pawar gives a hope to everyone, motivating them to think positive even in the worst situation.

Reading the palm of Mr. Navjivan, who became an IAS at the age of 26, an astrologer had told him curtly that hat he could never become an IAS. However, he did not lose hope and did what he asked every UPSC aspirant to do, “Believe in yourself in every situation and never compare yourself with others. If you have to complete a task, do it yourself and try to make yourself better than before every day,” he said while speaking to Indian Masterminds.

Mr. Navjivan Pawar, earlier posted in Sheopur, MP, secured 316th rank across the country in UPSC and became an IAS officer. (Credit: His Instagram)

THE BEGINNING

Mr. Navjivan Pawar’s father was a farmer and his mother a primary school teacher. He was brought up in Navi Bej, a small town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. From childhood, Mr. Navjivan used to work in the fields and would help his father. He was always good in studies and joining the civil services was his dream. His parents were the inspiration behind his desire, as they felt that their son would one day do some work for the betterment of the society. After completing his graduation in civil engineering, he moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC exam. In his very first attempt in June 2018, he cleared the preliminary examination and made a move forward to crack one of the toughest competitive exams in the country.

Mr. Navjivan Pawar in his fields (Credit: His Instagram)

CLEARING UPSC

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Navjivan Pawar said, “About a month before the UPSC mains exam, I was diagnosed with dengue and was so ill that I was admitted to the hospital. But I continued my studies there too. In the hospital, the doctor was giving injections in one hand, while I used to hold a book in the other hand. My sister and niece who were studying in class 12th back then, used to help me in preparing notes in the hospital. In my first attempt itself, I cleared the exam while fighting the disease. When I was preparing for the interview, I thought that if a person can tell my future, then why can’t I change it myself?’’

Mr. Navjivan Pawar in hospital just before his UPSC Mains exam (Credit: Social Media)

Proving the astrologer wrong, Navjivan secured 316th rank across the country in UPSC and became an IAS officer. His optional subject in UPSC was Sociology.

TRUST IS THE KEY

Mr. Navjivan, currently working as SDM in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, says, “Before clearing UPSC, I was suffering from dengue and sometimes with diarrhea. Once a got bit by a dog and once my phone also got lost. As so many tragedies were happening with me, I went to consult an astrologer at the behest of friends. I got disappointed after listening to astrologer, however, I thought of myself in the lines of famous poet Mirza Ghalib as he said – Don’t go by the lines on the palm of hand Ghalib, Luck is bestowed even on those who don’t have hands.’’ I believed in my own hard work and I got success.

Journey of a kiss: Navjivan wrote on his Instagram- (Anti-Clockwise) The first one when I was admitted in hostel
The second one when I started my journey of UPSC
The third one when we both completed our dream, when my father sat on the CHAIR. (Credit: Instagram)

Since realizing his dream, Mr. Navjivan has joined a campaign in Maharashtra, where he and several other officers visit schools and colleges of rural areas, engage with the students and answer their queries related to civil services.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS Ashwani Kumar
Assam’s Bold Bet on Local Talent: IAS Ashwani Kumar’s Vision for a Digital Assam
Haryana Jungle Safari
Haryana’s Mega Jungle Safari Project Moves Closer to Reality; Phase-I Design Finalised
SBK Singh IPS CP
Delhi Police Commissioner S B K Singh Bans Aerial Platforms from August 2 to 16 for Security Reasons
IPS-logo-resized_new
10 Senior Cops Get New Roles In Bihar Police; DG Jitendra Kumar Gets Additional Charge of B-SAP
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Jharkhand IFS Rajneesh Kumar Transferred Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings - Details Inside
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
17 Review Officers Transferred in Uttar Pradesh Secretariat Administration Reshuffle - Details Inside
IFS-forest-resized
6 IFS Officers Transferred in Odisha to Strengthen Environmental Administration, Jagayandatt Pati Made RCCF, Koraput Circle
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services IAS logo
4 Young IAS Officers Reshuffled in Uttarakhand, Rahul Anand Made Joint Magistrate, Dehradun
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS Ashwani Kumar
Assam’s Bold Bet on Local Talent: IAS Ashwani Kumar’s Vision for a Digital Assam
Haryana Jungle Safari
Haryana’s Mega Jungle Safari Project Moves Closer to Reality; Phase-I Design Finalised
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT