“Success is not defined by the destination, but by the resilience to learn from failures and the dedication to keep moving forward.”
For SDM Hemant Mishra from Bihar, preparing for the Civil Services exam while holding the demanding position of SDM was never easy. It was especially challenging after failing his first three attempts, never even clearing the prelims. But for Hemant, hard work and balancing work with preparation was nothing new.
Earlier, when he was conducting research in Delhi, he faced similar challenges, yet he managed to clear the state civil services exam. Balancing academics and preparing for competitive exams, particularly while pursuing a PhD, is no small feat.
However, Hemant defied the odds, clearing the Uttar Pradesh State Civil Services exam back-to-back and now securing an incredible Rank in the UPSC CSE 2024. Soon, he will become an IAS officer.
His journey is not just an inspiration for those who are struggling to juggle multiple responsibilities, but also for anyone feeling defeated after facing failure. Hemant’s story teaches us that persistence, discipline, and a balanced approach can overcome even the toughest obstacles.
In an exclusive interaction with Indian Masterminds, Mr Hemant shared his inspiring journey and offered valuable tips for aspiring candidates.
JOURNEY SO FAR
Hemant began his Civil Services preparation in 2020, shortly after completing his Master’s degree. He initially focused on UPSC and attempted the exam four times. After failing in his CSE-2021 attempt, he decided to explore state civil service exams as well.
In his second and third attempts at UPSC in 2022 and 2023, Hemant couldn’t even clear the prelims. However, in his fourth attempt at UPSC CSE 2024, he finally succeeded, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 13, ensuring that he will soon become an IAS officer.
Meanwhile, Hemant also excelled in state civil services. In his first attempt at the UPPCS-2022, he cleared the exam and secured the Deputy SP post with an overall Rank of 47, placing 8th in the DySP list. He continued to shine in the UPPCS-2023, where he ranked 9th, emerging as one of the toppers. This earned him a posting as a trainee SDM in Mirzapur, UP, and he is currently undergoing Phase II SDM training in Lucknow.
Additionally, Hemant has also cleared the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam twice, including the 68th BPSC exam.
Reflecting on his journey, Hemant shared, “I have been preparing for five years now while also working. There have been many ups and downs along the way, but it feels really good to see all that hard work finally paying off.”
Read More: This Jamia PhD Student from Bihar Cracked UPPCS Back to Back
THE REALITIES OF CIVIL SERVICES
As Hemant is already working as an SDM, he shared some of the harsh realities of civil services. He emphasized that the job is not as glamorous as it may seem.
He said, “It’s a really tough job that requires you to give your all. There are times when you may not have any time for yourself. But this is the reality of the service. If you are coming into this field expecting temporary fame, a huge social media following, or to make a big impact quickly, then you might want to rethink. Here, you need to be prepared for anything.”
“When a storm hits, the common people may go about their lives, but you will be the one preparing a report and assessing the damage. Yes, this is the truth about civil services,” he added.
BACKGROUND
He hails from Bihar’s Buxar, where his father Om Prakash Mishra works in the Bihar Education Department as APO, while his mother is a teacher in a private school. He has a younger brother, an alumnus of IIT, who is presently employed with Oracle Corporation in the United States.
He completed his 10th from Buxar and did his Intermediate from Patna. After that, he moved to Delhi and completed his Graduation (BA Honours) in Geography from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Then he did his Masters in Geography from JNU in 2020. Thereafter, he enrolled in PhD in Waste Management in Jamia Millia Islamia. He will be completing it this year.
PREPARATION
Hemant never joined any coaching institute and focused entirely on self-study while pursuing his PhD in Delhi. Even after securing a position as SDM in 2024, following his success in UPPCS-2023, he continued his preparation alongside his demanding SDM duties.
He shared, “Learning from mistakes is crucial. If you want to crack UPSC, then only UPSC-focused study materials are the right resources. Previous Year Questions (PYQs) are the best for learning, and focusing on them is essential.”
Hemant openly admits that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for cracking the exam. “I failed to even clear the prelims in three consecutive attempts, which meant my strategy wasn’t effective,” he said. “But now, having cleared the exam, I’ve learned from my mistakes, and that’s my strategy.”
For the Prelims, Hemant didn’t make specific notes but kept his resources limited. He focused on General Studies and current affairs from Lucent and ‘Ghatna Chakra’. For the Mains, he created concise notes for all papers based on the syllabus, ensuring that his resources were minimal but targeted.
INTERVIEW
Hemant’s interview went very well, with most of the questions revolving around his service experience. In addition, the panel asked a wide variety of questions, ranging from his DAF to his analytical thinking.
He was specifically asked questions related to his service, particularly on discretion, as well as the ethical and philosophical foundations of governance.
One board member asked him a very interesting question: “If you were a District Magistrate and illegal immigrants were entering your district from foreign countries, how would you approach the situation? What would be your strategy to address and resolve this issue?”
SUGGESTIONS
Sharing his advice for aspiring candidates, Hemant said, “Work hard and be patient. You will definitely make mistakes, but always be ready to learn from them. That’s how you grow and eventually get selected.”
He added, “Be very clear about your strategy. Begin your preparation by analyzing the syllabus and going through Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Keep your resources minimal and focus on revising them as much as possible.”
