When someone is truly determined to achieve a goal, they find a way and persist until they reach their destination. This is precisely the story of Harsimran Singh Cheema, a 2023 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre and currently posted in Bhopal, whose journey to success is nothing short of inspiring. His path began in 2014, after completing his engineering degree, and culminated in 2023 when he secured an AIR 16 rank and achieved his dream of becoming an IFS officer. His 9-year-long UPSC journey is filled with moments that remind us how setbacks are merely stepping stones toward success.
After completing his engineering in 2013, Mr. Cheema, who hails from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, set his sights on the Civil Services in 2014. Despite clearing the UPSC CSE prelims multiple times, he faced setbacks at the mains stage in 2014, 2015, and 2016. He even made it to the interview stage in 2017 but didn’t make it to the final list.
In 2016, he cracked the Punjab State Civil Services exam and became an Inspector of Cooperative Societies in 2017. However, his passion for UPSC never faded. In 2020, after another unsuccessful attempt at the CSE, he shifted his focus to the IFS exam. Inspired by IFS officer Vejayanantham, Cheema’s relentless determination finally bore fruit, and he achieved his dream after nine years of hard work and perseverance.
In this interview, we had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Cheema, who generously shared his journey – from his IFS training to his UPSC interviews, and everything in between. His story embodies perseverance, determination, and never-ending grit.
We hope this interview will inspire you. Whether you’re an aspiring UPSC candidate or simply someone seeking motivation, Cheema’s journey provides a fresh perspective that could guide you on your own path.
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