In Bastar, dreams usually end early. Life moves to the rhythm of survival, not ambition. Civil services coaching centres, mentors, and model answers are things people hear about, not see. It is from this very landscape—quiet, distant, and often forgotten—that Vinit Nandanwar began a journey few believed was possible. Years later, when his name appeared in the UPSC results, it wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a moment that told thousands of young people in tribal Chhattisgarh that the IAS was no longer out of reach.
Today, Vinit Nandanwar, a 2013-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, serves as the Director of Land Records, Chhattisgarh. But the road to this office was long, uncertain, and filled with self-doubt.
GROWING UP IN JAGDALPUR
Born and raised in Jagdalpur, Nandanwar completed his schooling and graduation in the town itself. He studied in Hindi medium and, until college, had never lived outside Bastar. Information was limited, exposure even more so. He did not grow up dreaming of the IAS—simply because he did not know what it really was.
The idea entered his mind through a casual remark by his uncle, who once told him that he should become a collector. That single sentence stayed with him. At that point, he didn’t know how collectors were selected, what UPSC meant, or what preparation involved. But the thought refused to leave.
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A SAFE JOB, AN UNSAFE CHOICE
After graduation, Nandanwar joined BALCO, working there for about nine months. The job gave him financial security and a predictable future—something many around him felt he should hold on to. Yet, deep inside, he felt restless. He believed he could do more.
Leaving the job was not easy. People warned him, questioned him, and even criticised him. Still, he quit and moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC—carrying little more than determination and hope.
PREPARING IN THE DARK
When Nandanwar began his preparation around 2008, there was no social media, no online classes, and hardly any guidance for aspirants from places like Bastar. He admits that his first two attempts passed without fully understanding the exam itself.
By the third attempt, he cleared prelims and reached the mains stage. He did not make it to the final list, but this failure gave him something crucial—clarity. He understood where he was falling short and what needed to change.
FOURTH ATTEMPT, FINAL TURN
Instead of giving up, Nandanwar focused entirely on his weaknesses. He did not follow rigid plans or fancy strategies. His only rule was honesty—using every day fully. Long study hours, quiet discipline, and no shortcuts became his routine.
In his fourth attempt, he cleared the UPSC. With that, he became Bastar’s first IAS officer—a milestone that changed how young people in the region looked at themselves.
SERVING WITH A SENSE OF PURPOSE
As an officer, Nandanwar has stayed true to his roots. He believes that the real journey begins after selection. Whether in field postings or now as Director, Land Records, Chhattisgarh, he approaches work with seriousness and balance. Initiatives like ‘Second Chance’, aimed at helping people who missed opportunities due to difficult circumstances, reflect his own life story.
A MESSAGE FROM BASTAR
Nandanwar believes that success creates belief. After his selection, more aspirants from Bastar and nearby districts began preparing for UPSC. His message to them is simple: patience matters more than speed.
“You may fail many times,” he says, “but if you keep going, the path slowly opens.” From a small town in Bastar to the corridors of administration, Vinit Nandanwar’s journey proves that even the most distant places can produce officers who lead with quiet strength.
