“A true mentor is not defined by their personal success, but by how many others they help rise.”
The journey from failure to success may seem long and arduous, but those who find the courage to walk it not only transform themselves – they light the path for others to follow. Is this really true? If you have doubts, let this story change your perspective, and I’m sure you’ll begin to believe in miracles.
There was a person once who faced continuous setbacks – five UPSC failures in total, including three rejections from interviews in a row. At his lowest point, he felt exhausted, disheartened, and unsure of what to do next. But instead of giving up, he persevered. Today, he is a beacon of hope for hundreds of aspiring individuals. In just four years, he has guided over 130 candidates to success, helping them achieve their dreams. His story proves that sometimes, the greatest success is found in lifting others up.
Mayank Malviya from Madhya Pradesh is now helping others achieve what he himself once could not. He’s not just mentoring aspirants- he’s guiding them to success, showing them a sureshot path to crack one of the country’s most prestigious exams. His love for teaching runs so deep that, to this day, he has never taken his final UPSC attempt – and he doesn’t plan to.
His journey proves a powerful truth – UPSC is not the only destination, and failure does not define your fate. With the knowledge, discipline, and willpower that UPSC preparation instills, success can be found beyond the exam hall.
Indian Masterminds recently had the opportunity to interact with Mayank Malviya to delve deeper into his inspiring journey – how he turned personal setbacks into a mission of mentorship, and how UPSC aspirants across the country can connect with him to benefit from his guidance and support.
FROM SOHAGPUR TO IIT ROORKEE: EARLY LIFE AND ACADEMIC JOURNEY
Mayank Malviya, an alumnus of IIT Roorkee with a degree in Geological Technology, hails from Sohagpur, a small town in Narmadapuram district (formerly Hoshangabad district) in Madhya Pradesh. His father runs a modest kirana (grocery) shop there – a shop frequented for decades by field officials from the nearby Satpura Tiger Reserve. Growing up surrounded by stories of the jungle, tigers, and forest life, Mayank developed a deep curiosity and fascination for wildlife and conservation from a young age.
His academic journey further fueled this interest. While at IIT, his studies in geology sparked a stronger connection to the natural world. Over time, this passion matured into a serious aspiration to serve in the Indian Forest Service (IFS). Though he also aimed for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), his heart remained closer to the forests.
THE STRUGGLES AND SETBACKS: MULTIPLE UPSC ATTEMPTS
Balancing a full-time job at Coal India Limited, a central government PSU, alongside his UPSC preparation, Mayank initially appeared for both IAS and IFS interviews. In his first two attempts, without Geology as his optional subject, he struggled to gain momentum. However, in his next three attempts – this time with Geology as his optional – he reached the interview stage in all of them.
In total, Mayank made five IFS attempts and appeared in three IFS interviews. Each time, he came incredibly close to success but missed the final list by narrow margins – once by 14 marks, then by just 4, and in another attempt, by 21. These near-misses were emotionally taxing, but they never shook his passion or his commitment.
WHY GEOLOGY? A GROWING TREND AMONG UPSC ASPIRANTS
Though Mayank studied Geology for years, it wasn’t just an academic subject for him – it became a passion. His deep understanding of the field naturally translated into a love for teaching it. “In UPSC preparation, most aspirants traditionally choose humanities subjects as their optional – they’re more common and widely taught,” he explains. “But in recent years, a shift has started. More candidates are opting for science-based optionals.”
Among these, Geology is emerging as a standout choice. According to Mayank, it’s not as intimidating as other science subjects like Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry. It strikes a balance – being scientific and analytical, yet accessible and scoring. Plus, its syllabus is relatively concise compared to many other optional subjects. However, it remains a rare choice, which means there are very few experienced mentors available to guide students through it. That’s where Mayank found his unique niche.
THE FAILURES AND LIFE-TURNING DECISION
His journey, however, was not without emotional upheaval. Mayank has lived away from home since the 5th grade, studying in boarding schools and later moving across cities for higher education and work. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, like the rest of the world, his life was turned upside down. He returned home after years of living independently, carrying the weight of five failed UPSC attempts and three interview stage heartbreaks.
Despite being academically accomplished, he felt unfulfilled – both in his job and in the constant cycle of preparing, reaching the interview stage, and narrowly missing selection. “It took a toll on me mentally,” he recalls. “I was stuck in a loop – prelims, interviews, failures. And I only had one attempt left.”
It was then, in the quiet of lockdown and reflection, that Mayank made a life-altering decision. He chose to take a step back from the race – not out of defeat, but with a new plan. One that would not only change his own path, but would eventually transform the lives of hundreds of other aspirants.
A NEW BEGINNING: LAUNCHING PLANET GEO
Taking a break from both UPSC and his job, Mayank Malviya decided to pursue the one thing that still brought him joy – teaching. In mid-2021, he teamed up with his brilliant friend and fellow IITian, Lawrence Kanyan, a GATE topper who was then working at ONGC. Together, they founded Planet Geo, an online platform dedicated to Civil Services and other competitive exam preparations.
Lawrence took charge of GATE-focused content, while Mayank devoted himself to mentoring students preparing for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) exam, particularly with Geology as their optional. Both left their stable jobs to pursue this passion full-time – without overthinking the financial risks or long-term prospects. “We didn’t plan much,” Mayank recalls. “We just followed our hearts.”
When they launched their first batch in mid-June 2021, it began with just 30 students – and everything was offered free of cost. But as word spread and the quality of teaching became evident, the number grew. By the time the course ended, nearly 100 students were studying with Planet Geo. For Mayank, this early growth was already a huge success.
But what came next exceeded even their most hopeful expectations.
TURNING FAILURES INTO SUCCESS: THE IMPACT OF PLANET GEO
When the UPSC 2021 results were declared in 2022, 13 students mentored by Mayank through Planet Geo were selected for various services. What had started as a modest, heart-driven initiative with no big plans or promises had begun to bear incredible fruit – in just one year.
In 2023, Planet Geo celebrated a remarkable milestone – 25 aspirants were selected in the UPSC IFS-2022 exam, and 2 cleared the UPSC CSE-2022 exam under Mayank’s mentorship. The following year, their success skyrocketed further – 44 aspirants qualified in the UPSC IFS-2023 exam, and this year, over 50 students have already cleared the UPSC IFS-2024 exam. Impressively, among the top 25 rankers this year, 15 are students mentored by Mayank, with the highest achiever securing an outstanding All India Rank 3.
These numbers are no small feat. The very person who faced multiple failures in the IFS exam, whose own dreams were once crushed, has not only bounced back but is now fulfilling those dreams vicariously – through the success of his students. Mayank’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of mentorship.
MENTORSHIP AND COURSES: HOW PLANET GEO SUPPORTS ASPIRANTS
For anyone interested in studying Geology and preparing for UPSC exams, Planet Geo offers a comprehensive, fully online mentorship program led by Mayank and Lawrence. They conduct classes five days a week, with recordings uploaded to their portal, ensuring that no student misses out, even if they cannot attend live sessions. Currently, Planet Geo offers two courses: a Comprehensive Course and a Crash Course, both designed to cater to different stages of exam preparation.
THE INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY: FROM ASPIRANT TO MENTOR
Mayank’s journey from repeated UPSC failures to becoming a mentor for hundreds is a shining example of resilience and passion. He proves that setbacks are not the end, and that with knowledge, willpower, and dedication, one can turn their dreams around – not just for themselves but for countless others.
