American Novelist Henry Miller once said, “Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him.” This fits aptly on the life of Mr. Yogendra Meena. Hailing from Delhi, Mr. Meena embarked on his professional odyssey in engineering, before venturing into the hospitality sector. However, fate led him to the realm of civil service.
His journey culminated in remarkable achievements, securing AIR 136 in the UPSC Indian Forest Services examination of 2022, followed by an impressive AIR 647 in the civil services exam this year. In an engaging dialogue with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Meena unveiled the narrative of his transition from aspiring entrepreneur to embracing the path of civil services.
STARTUP JOURNEY
Mr. Meena had education at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Janakpuri (Delhi), followed by an enrollment at IIT, BHU, to pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated in 2019. During his final year, he and several classmates embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, founding the hospitality firm ‘Travostel.’ Initially promising, the venture faced a formidable challenge with the onset of the lockdown, leading to its eventual closure alongside numerous others in the industry.
Following this setback, Mr. Meena, then an officer trainee preparing for the Indian Forest Services, took a reflective pause to reassess his career trajectory. He sought a profession offering diversity, recognizing that while his entrepreneurial experience fostered independent thinking, it lacked the broad scope he desired. This contemplation prompted his decision to pursue civil services, drawn by its expansive canvas for contributing to public welfare and societal development. Influenced significantly by his father, a government engineer, Mr. Meena embraced the path of UPSC, driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference.
When questioned about not revisiting entrepreneurship, Mr. Meena explained his involvement with a successful interior design firm initiated by his former partners, acknowledging the inherent limitations of business ventures in diversification. “We had some really good interior designer people with us. My partner went ahead and started a firm with them which is doing well. I too was associated with them as advisor for long but there is a limit of any business. It can’t be diversified. I had already started UPSC CSE preparation by that time and I was really looking forward to work on ground.”
UPSC PREPARATION
In 2021, Mr. Meena made his initial attempt at the civil services examination, participating in both the civil services and Indian Forest Services mains. While he received an interview call for the Indian Forest Services, the opportunity eluded him for the civil services. Undeterred, he persisted, in 2022 as well. This time, he successfully secured a position in the Indian Forest Services, being assigned the AGMUT cadre. However, despite this achievement, a sense of incompleteness lingered as he harbored aspirations of becoming an IAS officer. Determined not to relent midway, Mr. Meena resolved to continue his pursuit.
In a strategic move, Mr. Meena transitioned from Mathematics to sociology as his optional subject. This adjustment, coupled with unwavering determination, bore fruit as he clinched success in the civil services examination of 2023, securing an All India Rank of 647. Reflecting on his journey, he candidly shares, “With two previous setbacks in the Civil Services, a personal battle of resilience ignited within me. When I appeared for the UPSC CSE 2023, my sole objective was to clear the exam. I didn’t even glance at my rank when the results were announced,” he adds with a smile.
150 DAY RULE
Mr Meena took a job in Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and started preparing for the exam.
This helped him to understand how the government functions which only firmed his belief of becoming a civil servant. However, he left the job after clearing the prelims to focus more on Mains.
He opted the strategy called ‘150 day’ rule. “I studied really hard for 50 days before prelims and then 100 days in between the gap of pre & Mains. Rest of the time I worked to be financially independent but didn’t ignore the studies completely”, he said. He believes that being financially independent really helps you keep calm and give 100% in anything. After Ministry, he worked as CSAT teacher and mentor as well.
WILL QUIT IFS?
Mr. Meena admits that he had limited knowledge about the Indian Forest Services (IFS) before his successful entry. However, he now finds immense fulfillment in his role within the IFS and cherishes the invaluable lessons learned during his training period. The IFS offers diverse opportunities spanning wildlife conservation and community engagement, a facet Mr. Meena particularly relishes. Despite the allure of the Indian Police Service (IPS), he remains committed to the IFS, appreciating its unique offerings.
While his original aspiration was to become an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Mr. Meena is currently savouring his achievement in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). Reflecting on his arduous journey, he remarks, “It was a lengthy struggle.” Looking ahead, he envisions a potential future attempt at the IAS, but for now, he intends to bask in the success of his current endeavors.
