16 November 2026
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A Motor Mechanic’s Son Fulfills his Father’s Dream, Set to Become an IAS Officer

Vishal Dhakad from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, cleared UPSC CSE in second attempt with AIR 39.
Indian Masterminds Stories

It is rightly said that nothing is impossible if a person really wants to achieve it with full dedication. There is no better example than Vishal Dhakad from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, whose father owns a small motor winding shop while other family members are engaged in farming activities. Despite living in a small city, Vishal and his father always dreamt big.

His father wanted Vishal to pursue IAS as he knew he had the right caliber. He wanted his children to do better in life. He made sure his daughter studied hard and became a doctor. His next aim was to see Vishal as an IAS officer so that he can help people and, also, be in a respectable job.

EDUCATION

Vishal completed his initial studies from Kendra Vidyalaya, Guna, and went on to pursue graduation in Political Science from Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi. In an interview to media, he said, “I made up my mind on appearing for the UPSC exam after completing my schooling. I even started by basic preparation while pursuing graduation.”

After completing graduation in 2018, he started his preparation for the UPSC exam and, also, pursued MA in Political Science from the Hindu College, Delhi University. He completed his MA in 2020.

MOTIVATION FOR UPSC

Vishal said, “I not only wanted a decently paid job but also a diversity of opportunities along with it. I wanted to help people and make a change in their life as ultimately money doesn’t suffice, but this thing does. Therefore, becoming a civil servant and a part of administration can only fulfill it.”

He started his preparation during the graduation with basic books of NCRT, Laxmikant, etc. He believes that the most important things which matter in preparation are discipline, strategy, guidance, mentor, and execution of the plan that the candidate is working on. He followed the same strategy and sat for the exam for the first time in 2020 and secured an AIR 579.

However, he could not have got his dream service at that rank, he sat for the exam again in 2021. This time he cleared all the stages of the exam and made it to the top rank in the final list. He secured an all India Rank of 39 in the Civil Services Exam 2021 and made his family, especially his father, proud by reaching their dream destination.

By emerging among the toppers, he not only fulfilled his own dream but also his ambitious father’s dream as well who always wanted to see him as an IAS officer.

Vishal’s success story is an inspiration to all those who have all the resources but still face failure in the exam. Coming from a small city in MP, Vishal proved that anyone with fixed dedication towards one’s goal can clear the exam, sooner or later.


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