https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

I understood the questions by lip reading, so I could express myself properly: D. Ranjith on his UPSC interview

D. Ranjith from Tamil Nadu who has hearing and speech impairment cleared CSE 2020 in his first attempt
Indian Masterminds Stories

When D. Ranjith cleared UPSC CSE 2020 in his first attempt, he made news. He is not like you or me. He is special. This specially empowered boy from Tamil Nadu, who got AIR 750, wrote his entire exam in Tamil and focussed on lip reading to overcome hearing and speech challenges. He also chose Tamil literature as his optional subject. In an exclusive interview to Indian Masterminds, he revealed how he tackled the interview round and also spoke about his love for Tamil literature. Excerpts from the interview:

Congratulations on your success. How was your UPSC journey and what kind of challenges did you face on the way?

I started my UPSC preparation in 2019. I decided to write the examination in Tamil because I studied in Tamil medium in school. I chose Tamil literature as my optional paper. Initially, I had difficulty finding study materials in Tamil. I was also not able to find proper coaches to evaluate my Tamil answers. Eventually, I got appropriate support and guidance which helped me to score well in the exam.

Tell us about your native place, your family, and your educational background.

I belong to the Erode district of Tamil Nadu. However, we are settled in Coimbatore for quite some time now. I have done my BE in Mechanical Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.

What was your optional paper and why did you choose it?

I have always had a passion for Tamil literature. So, I chose it as my optional subject.

Being specially empowered, was your preparation different in any way from others?

I had my speech developed by lip-reading. Initially, yes, during the UPSC preparation, I did face difficulties in coping with the classes as I was not able to follow the teachings. However, I decided to overcome my inhibition and requested my guides to help me out, and they were kind enough to clear all my doubts.

What about the interview round? Did you face any difficulty there?

My interview was good. I was able to understand the questions by lip reading and, hence, I was able to express my thoughts and views properly. Most of the discussion was about current affairs, and a few questions were on the welfare of the differently-abled.

You had hearing and speech impairment from childhood, or it developed much later? How did you deal with it?

I have hearing impairment right from birth. I was diagnosed early and received appropriate intervention and early speech therapy, which helped me to communicate. I respond to people by lip reading which is challenging at times. However, I have learnt to cope with difficult situations, and I manage appropriately.

Lastly, any message or tips for civil service aspirants?

The determination in your mind to succeed is the key element. Of course, hard work and sincere efforts in preparation are the main points to score well. And, time management and adequate writing practice will help in the end.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
RVNL
RVNL Secures ₹115.79 Crore Contract for Electric Traction Upgrade in Central Railway
CentralBureauofIndirecttaxandcustom
IRS Officer BS Umesh Takes Voluntary Retirement from Service - Know More About Him
Madhya-Pradesh-State-IAS
91 IAS Appointments Denied by Centre; Madhya Pradesh Faces Lax Implementation After "OBC Creamy Layer" Conflict
government-of-haryana
IAS Ashima Brar Given Addl Charge of Excise & Taxation Dept in Haryana
IRS Officer Indian revenue Services
6 IRS Officers, Including Neha Garg, Promoted to Commissioner Rank Under NBR Proforma Basis, Check All Names Here
IRS Logo
10 IRS (C&IT) Officers, Including Venkadesh Babu A, Promoted to Joint Commissioner Grade, Check All Names Here
Anurag Bhushan
IFS Anurag Bhushan Appointed as India’s Next Ambassador to Sweden- Know More About Him
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
UP: 51 PCS Officers Transferred, Pankaj Verma Posted As ADM Mathura, Archana Dwivedi Addl Commissioner, Azamgarh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Uday Krishna Reddy
Uday Krishna Reddy’s Rise from Constable to IPS Hopeful | Video Interview 
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge’s Two Decades of Service in Nagaland
IMG-20250429-WA0019
How Mission IAS is Transforming Dreams of Underprivileged UPSC Aspirants
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-13 at 17.10
Simran of Jind: From a Quiet Haryana Village to AIR 66 in UPSC
Jind’s Simran Kharb secured AIR 66 in UPSC on her third attempt, fulfilling her father’s dream and inspiring...
Uday Krishna Reddy
Uday Krishna Reddy’s Rise from Constable to IPS Hopeful | Video Interview 
Uday Krishna Reddy, a name now synonymous with dedication in the challenging world of the UPSC Civil...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-08 at 15.21
From Courtrooms to the Corridors of Power, The Inspiring Journey of Kshitij Aditya Sharma, AIR-58, CSE’24
From corporate suits to Constitution roots, Kshitij Sharma ditched a plush lawyer’s life, cracked UPSC...
Social Media
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
Vikram Misri IFS
United Front Against "Nameless" Trolls! After IAS, IPS, & IFoS Officers, Nation's Top Diplomats Rally in Support of Foreign Secy Vikram Misri
The trolling, coming from “nameless, faceless” sources, has sparked widespread condemnation, especially...
IPS Arun Bothra
“Bangalore Has Only USB Ports”: IPS Arun Bothra Mocks Viral Claim of Pakistan Navy Attack
A viral claim about Pakistan Navy destroying “Bangalore Port” drew ridicule, with officers mocking it...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
RVNL
RVNL Secures ₹115.79 Crore Contract for Electric Traction Upgrade in Central Railway
CentralBureauofIndirecttaxandcustom
IRS Officer BS Umesh Takes Voluntary Retirement from Service - Know More About Him
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Uday Krishna Reddy
IPS Sandeep Tamgadge
IMG-20250429-WA0019
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT