There is an old saying: ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ No work is too small or too big; what matters is the courage and dedication you bring to it. Imagine how it would feel if a person working as a peon in an office performed exceptionally well in the same office’s exam and rose to become an officer. It may sound like a story from another world, but Shailendra Kumar Bandhe has made it a reality. Bandhe has earned the prestigious position of ‘Assistant Commissioner of State Tax,’ securing the 73rd rank in his fifth attempt in the CGPSC-2023, the toughest exam in Chhattisgarh. What makes his achievement even more fascinating is that he will now work as an officer under the same boss he once served as a peon.
Bandhe’s story isn’t just inspiring – it shows the power of determination. It shows that if you’re truly committed to your goals, no challenge is insurmountable. After completing his engineering degree, Bandhe chose to work as a peon, accepting the hardship and judgment of others. He endured countless taunts and moments of deep disappointment after facing failures, yet he never gave up. His journey proves that with passion and perseverance, you can overcome the toughest of obstacles and achieve your dreams.
Indian Masterminds had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Bandhe to gain deeper insights into his inspiring journey. He shared, “This is the result of 5 to 6 years of hard work and struggle. From 2019 to 2024, I have taken one step forward every year, continuously improving myself. Dreams do come true – you just have to keep trying.”
JOURNEY SO FAR
He began preparing for the State Civil Services in 2019, right after his graduation. Mr. Bandhe attempted the CGPSC exam, conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission, five times. In his first attempt in 2019, he couldn’t even clear the prelims. In his second attempt in 2020, he passed the prelims but failed to clear the mains.
In his third attempt in 2021, he made it to the interview round and achieved an impressive 312 rank, but unfortunately, he did not make it to the final list. In his fourth attempt, he again reached the interview stage, securing the 306th rank, but still didn’t land a position.
Finally, in his fifth attempt, he cracked the exam, earning the coveted post of Assistant Commissioner of State Tax with an impressive 73rd rank.
During his preparation, in 2022, he also appeared for the exam for a ‘peon’ vacancy in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission. In May 2024, he joined the CGPSC office as a peon.
He shared, “I was continuously preparing but didn’t want to be a burden on my family. I wanted to be independent. When you’re preparing and giving exams, you just want a job that will help you reach your ultimate goal. For some, a peon’s job might seem low-level or undesirable, but for me, it was a stepping stone. And anyway, no work is small or big; you just have to do it with all your heart.”
WHY NOT ENGINEERING
Reflecting on his experience working as a peon, Bandhe shared that the people in the office were very supportive. “No one ever made me feel inferior,” he said. “Everyone knew I was preparing for the state civil services and had reached the interview stage. They all encouraged me throughout.”
When asked why he chose a peon’s job instead of pursuing a position in engineering, Bandhe explained, “There was a gap in my career while preparing from 2019 to 2022. During that time, I couldn’t enter the private sector because, with a gap in my resume, it’s difficult to land a job in the technical field. Additionally, I had no work experience. So, taking the peon job seemed like the best opportunity for me.”
He emphasized the importance of financial independence, saying, “How long could I keep asking my family for money? It was essential for me to be independent, so I took the job.” His success has motivated him so much that now he is determined to take the UPSC exam.
BACKGROUND
He originally hails from Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh but grew up in Raipur district. His father is a farmer, and his mother is a homemaker. He has an elder brother.
He completed his basic education up to the 12th grade in Raipur before pursuing a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, which he completed in 2019 from NIT, Raipur.
CGPSC PREPARATION
It wasn’t easy to prepare while working as a peon, but since Shailendra had been preparing since 2019, the foundation of his studies was already strong. He simply needed to continue upgrading himself. The internet and YouTube played a significant role in his preparation. Although he joined a coaching program for Mains for a brief period, the majority of his preparation was self-driven through online resources.
For the prelims, he focused extensively on Chhattisgarh, as many questions are based on this portion. After that, he studied Indian history and the Constitution, as around 20 questions come from these areas. His next priority was current affairs, which made up about 25% of his preparation. He said, “I also focused on other topics, but these areas received the most attention because they contribute about 25% of the questions, helping me clear the prelims with ease.”
For the Mains, he created detailed notes on every topic and revised them countless times, which made it easier to understand the material. He watched online videos to help with note-making. He appeared for the exam in Hindi medium, giving his best effort throughout.
INTERVIEW
His interview went very well, although he was thoroughly grilled and asked a wide range of questions, from technical topics to state-related issues. His interview was scheduled just after Constitution Day (26th Nov), so many questions and discussions revolved around this topic. He mentioned, “During those days, I read the newspaper thoroughly and went through every article related to the Constitution, which helped me a lot.”
There were also questions related to his engineering background, and the interview panel probed him on several issues related to Chhattisgarh. Since he belongs to the Satnam Panth, he was asked about the panth and Guru Ghasidas. In addition, there were numerous situational questions that tested his analytical and decision-making abilities.
SUGGESTIONS
Giving a message to aspiring candidates, Shailendra said, “If you want to prepare for this exam, then please have patience. Dedication, discipline, consistency, and patience are the keys here. You may face many failures along the way, but trust me, in the end, you will find your ultimate success.”
He added, “Always believe that failure is surely the key to success.”
