https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Beating All Odds, Son of A Midday Meal Cook Cracked UPSC CSE

Dongre Revaiah cracked UPSC CSE 2022 with AIR 410 in his second attempt He was inspired by a Collector who crowdfunded his registration fees for IIT Even after his success, his mother will continue to cook at the govt school
Indian Masterminds Stories

All the sorrows, hardships and struggles that Dongre Revaiah, son of a midday meal cook, went through became a thing of the past the moment he got to know he had cracked UPSC CSE 2022 with AIR 410. He lost his father at the age of four, after which, his mother Vistara Bai took up the job of cook at a government school to raise him. She didn’t have much money but she always motivated her son to excel in life. He also didn’t disappoint her and first cracked IIT, then GATE, and finally UPSC CSE.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Dongre Revaiah shared his journey from a small village in Komaram Bheem district in Telangana to one of the most elitist professions in the country.

A COLLECTOR INSPIRED HIM

Revaiah did his schooling from Telangana Social Welfare Residential School Asifabad till 10th and then moved to TSWR Junior College in Hyderabad for his Intermediate. Owing to his hardwork and dedication, he cracked IIT JEE and was allotted a seat in IIT Madras. However, he didn’t have enough money to register for it. Then, the DC of his district came to his rescue and his gesture inspired Revaiah to go for UPSC CSE.

Speaking to Indian Masterminds he said, “Twenty thousand rupees was required for my registration but mother didn’t have that much money. Then the district came forward to help and crown funded the amount with the help of some people in my Mandal. I saw this and thought, if I will be on this post, then I too can help many people.”

UPSC CSE topper Dongre Revaiah felicitated for his achievement

After completing his graduation, he cleared GATE with AIR 70 and landed a job in ONGC. As he needed financial security during his UPSC preparation, he continued with the job and appeared for CSE 2021 and missed the list by two marks. This gave him the confidence that he can do it, so he resigned and appeared again with full strength and preparation. This time he got through. He mostly did his study on his own and took help of coaching for the optional, Mathematics.

MOTHER WILL CONTINUE HER JOB

Even after his success, Revaiah’s mother would continue her job. She feels lot of gratitude towards that work as it provided livelihood to her family when she needed it the most. Being a caring son, Mr. Revaiah wants his mother to take rest now as she has been continuously working for the last 20 years, but respects her decision. He even suggested that now she can cook using her own money and serve among the children. “The salary of a cook is around Rs. 1500 and that is also not released on time. Besides that, they have to bring the groceries on their own and the bill is reimbursed. This doesn’t allow them to bring the best of items for the children. Now, we can afford it, so I have suggested my mother to cook with her own money and distribute,” said Revaiah. This will give immense happiness and satisfaction to his mother and him, too.

STICK TO YOUR DREAM

For him, education is the biggest tool of change. He was the first from his village to get into IIT, and after him, many others aspired and went to NIIT and other colleges. He says, “Education helped me and my financial status. At the same time, this inspired many to dream big and achieve.”

His message to all the aspirants is to dream big, no matter what financial background they come from. “The difficulties will come, but sticking to it will change your lives. Anyone can achieve anything with determination and dedication.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Union Minister Bhupendra yadav
No Immediate Plan to Regulate AC Temperatures: Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav Clarifies, Says 20–28°C Cap May Be Considered Only After 2050
Punya Salila Srivastava IAS
IAS Punya Salila Srivastava Gets Additional Charge of Health Research; IRS Pankaj Bodkhe Repatriated from KVIC
education
Gujarat Achieves 100% Textbook Distribution Before Academic Year: Over 6 Crore Books Delivered
Punjab_govt_resized
Punjab: 8 IAS & 9 PCS Transferred, Amandeep Kaur-II Posted as Addl Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar
Bihar’s Makhana
Desi Makhana Goes Global: From IIT Dreams to Entrepreneurial Reality in Bihar, as Makhana from Bihar Gains International Recognition
Thermal Power
Pirpainti Power Push: Private Power Majors Show Interest in Bihar’s Largest Thermal Project at Pirpainti
IPS Smiti Chaudhary
Obituary: Haryana's Senior IPS Smiti Chaudhary Passes Away at 48 in Nashik, Leaves Behind Legacy of Integrity & Service
Indian Railways
From Isolation to Integration: New Rail Corridor Signals Hope for Naxal-Affected Bastar, Final Survey Phase of Kothagudem–Kirandul Line Underway
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
Ex-IRS Officer C. Rajendiran Illuminates Thirukkural’s Timeless Wisdom in Exclusive Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Union Minister Bhupendra yadav
No Immediate Plan to Regulate AC Temperatures: Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav Clarifies, Says 20–28°C Cap May Be Considered Only After 2050
Punya Salila Srivastava IAS
IAS Punya Salila Srivastava Gets Additional Charge of Health Research; IRS Pankaj Bodkhe Repatriated from KVIC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT