‘Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen and others make it happen’. These lines by legendary basketball player Michael Jordan are fit to describe the journey of Prince Kumar who cracked UPSC CSE 2022 with AIR 89.

 However, this was his second successful attempt in the UPSC exams. He has already been selected as an IPS officer in UPSC CSE 2021 but his goal was to be in Administrative Service. So, he took the exam again and made it happen. 

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Kumar shared his journey and tips on choosing optional when appearing with Hindi medium. 

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FOR HIS FATHER 

Son of a motor mechanic, Mr. Kumar had to face hardships during his childhood. He might not have best of facilities but his father made sure his son had unwavering focus on education. His early education was from government middle school in Shivhar (Bihar). He went to Sitamarhi for college. 

After finishing graduation, the goal was clear in to him. He wanted to give his best for his parents. With all the limited resources, he started preparing for UPSC CSE. After two failed attempts, he cracked the exam in 2021 and was allotted IPS. 

This changed the fate of his family. Being the good son, he asked his father to leave his job and rest. Now, after his selection again, whole family is in joyous mood. Mr. Kumar says that other than his parents, his brother became strength for him. Speaking to IM he says, “My elder brother is an engineer. He supported me both financially and emotionally. I owe my success to him.”

MAITHILI AS AN OPTIONAL 

Mr. Kumar first gave his attempts with Geography but wasn’t scoring good. So, he changed it to Maithili. Explaining his decision he says, “I was appearing with Hindi Medium. Preparing optional subjects like Anthropology, Economics is difficult. We generally don’t get book of contemporary writers in Hindi. Thus, it is best to choose a literature.”

After lot of thinking, he chose his mother tongue as his optional and the decision finally paid off. Advising the Hindi medium aspirants, he says that anyone who is not comfortable in English, shouldn’t unnecessarily try to pursue it. Selection in Hindi medium is as easy or difficult as in English. 

One has to just identify his own strengths & weaknesses and work accordingly. “After CSAT was introduced and pattern was changed, it did become tough for Hindi medium. However, the problem persisted only for two-three years. Now, enough material is available and medium doesn’t become obstacle in success”, he pointed out.

PUBLIC CENTRIC GOVERNANCE 

The UPSC topper who is all set to become an IAS officer aspire for encouraging public centric governance. He hasn’t made any roadmap for him but is ready for any challenge. He says that my future goals depend on the cadre he will get. Each state or cadre has their own challenges and as an administrator it is their responsibility to address it. And, Mr. Kumar is 200% ready for that.