There are different types of success stories. The best of these show the path of success to other people too. Such is the story of Vijay Amruta Kulange, the District Magistrate of Odisha’s Ganjam district and a 2013 batch IAS officer.
For several years, Mr Kulange’s life remained a challenge, where day after day he faced clouds of despair, roadblocks, battling to save his job.
However, the way young Vijay fought with all these challenges and achieved the position where he is today makes story truly special. He gave the examination of ‘Maharashtra Public Service Commission’ for 5 consecutive times and also passed 3 times. After that, he took on India’s toughest exam, UPSC, and became an IAS, securing 176th rank in the entire country.
IAS officer Vijay Kulange himself put these struggles into words and wrote a book in Marathi language titled
‘Aajcha Diwas Majha’ – Today is mine. Every student craving success in life must read this book.
Recently, the Odia version of this book ‘Ajira Dinati Mora’ was released by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who called it “a very inspirational book for the youth’’.
BEGINNING
Mr.Vijay Kulange hails from Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. His father was a tailor in the village and his daily income was only Rs 200. His mother also used to work in the fields on daily wages.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr Vijay says, “Like many others, I never dreamed of civil service in the beginning. My dream was to become a doctor, but the financial condition of the family was not such that I could study medicine. My parents used to say that get some job, so that we all get support. After that do whatever you want.”
Mr Vijay then did his Diploma in Education (D.Ed.) after Intermediate and started working as a teacher in primary school. The financial condition of the family also improved somewhat. Meanwhile in 2002, he got married.
BECOMING AN OFFICER
Mr. Vijay prepared himself for UPSC without any coaching and gave the exam in marathi.“I failed in my first 2 attempts of Maharashtra Public Service Commission. After passing the written examination, I reached the interview round, but was left there by some number. In my third attempt, I cleared the exam and got the post of Sale Tax Inspector. In my fourth attempt, I got the post of Tehsildar. And in my fifth consecutive attempt, I got the second rank in the whole of Maharashtra”, said Mr. Vijay
At the time of his fifth attempt, he was on the post of Tehsildar in Ahmednagar itself. Seeing his stupendous success in the State Public Service Commission examination, the collector there at that time encouraged Vijay and asked him to go for the UPSC.
The collector also told him that the syllabus of both the examinations was also very similar. In both exams, aspirants have to take 2 optional subjects, so that will be easy. After getting encouragement from his senior, Vijay also made up his mind for UPSC and started preparing on his own.
He became an IAS, clearing UPSC exam with 176 rank in his very first attempt.
PREPARATION
Mr. Vijay did his preparation in a very smart way without any coaching. Talking about those days he says, “The best way to prepare is to know what the syllabus is and focus on it. Study according to the syllabus, not just keep studying. Solve all previous years’ papers multiple times. Also, make your own small notes as well.’’
Vijay clearly believes that UPSC exam is not just limited to bookish knowledge; it also tests your entire personality and thinking. So, keep improving yourself and think differently about yourself.
