https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

From Bihar to UP’s SDM: How Hemant Mishra Cleared UPPCS Twice, BPSC, and Secured AIR 13 in UPSC

Hemant Mishra, a resilient Bihar native, cleared UPPCS twice, BPSC, and secured AIR 13 in UPSC CSE while balancing work and preparation. He also shares the harsh realities of civil services with aspirants.
Indian Masterminds Stories

“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.

Hemant Mishra (in centre)

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.

Hemant’s Parent

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.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NALCO
NALCO Refutes Reports of Capex Deferral, Confirms Rs 30,000 Crore Smelter Expansion is on Track - Know the Matter
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
NCL Signs MoU to Support Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Singrauli - All Details Inside
Ruchika Chauhan IAS
Leading By Example: Gwalior DC Ruchika Chauhan Arrives At Her Office Boarding An E-Rickshaw! Delivers A Strong Message On World Environment Day
KVIC Khadi and Village Industries
KVIC Disburses Rs. 300 Crore Margin Money Subsidy Under PMEGP to Boost Self-Employment - Details Inside
HUDCO New Logo
HUDCO Champions Green Urban Development on World Environment Day 2025
Mayur Dixit IAS
Who is IAS Mayur Dixit, the New DM of Haridwar? Uttarakhand Bureaucracy in Buzz Amid Land Scam Fallout
Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, Delhi1
IRSME Ashwani Lohani Appointed Director of Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, Delhi - Know More About Him & the Historic Institution
World Environment Day
PSUs Observe World Environment Day 2025 with Strong Commitment to Sustainability and Green Practices - Check Here!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NALCO
NALCO Refutes Reports of Capex Deferral, Confirms Rs 30,000 Crore Smelter Expansion is on Track - Know the Matter
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
NCL Signs MoU to Support Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Singrauli - All Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT