The call tore through a dream, pulling Bajrang Prasad back to a reality stained with grief. His father, the pillar of his family and his dreams, was murdered, felled by an act of unspeakable cruelty. In that moment, under the weight of despair, a resolve forged in rural soil flickered into a defiant flame. He wouldn’t let his father’s sacrifice be in vain. He would become the officer his village had always dreamt of, the protector his father had always been.
FATHER’S GUIDANCE & SUPPORT
2023 batch IPS officer Bajrang’s story begins from a small village in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district, where the aspirations of a young boy transcended the limitations of his surroundings. With humble beginnings, he embarked on his quest for a grand purpose in life. Inspired by his father’s tales of officers who resolved land issues and served their communities, Bajrang found a calling within himself to tread the path of public service.
Guided by an unwavering commitment to his dream, he faced numerous challenges. His father, a diligent farmer who completed his own education, instilled in him a sense of social responsibility and service from an early age.
“I didn’t know how I should prepare but made up my mind to become a civil servant. So, my journey started,” IPS Bajrang Prasad told Indian Masterminds. The journey wasn’t easy, but the young aspirant forged ahead with determination.
UPSC- EASIEST EXAM
Leaving his village in 2016 for his bachelors in Physics and Mathematics from Allahabad University, Bajrang ventured into the unknown, armed with resilience and an unyielding belief in the simplicity of his dream. His father’s support, both moral and financial, allowed him to pursue his studies without burdening the family. Bajrang found solace in newspapers, his window to the wider world, ensuring that even from the remoteness of his village, he remained connected to the currents of the nation and the globe.
He further shared that he always felt UPSC is the easiest exam for me and the exam to become a constable is the toughest.
LOST HIS FATHER IN A LAND DISPUTE
In 2019, tragedy struck. Bajrang received the devastating news of his father’s murder while he was on the cusp of fulfilling his father’s dream. “I remember, I was numb and felt that nothing more is left now,” he shared. The emotional blow could have shattered the spirit of any individual, but Bajrang’s mother stood firm. With strength beyond measure, she urged him to continue his pursuit, convinced that fulfilling the dream was the best homage to the departed soul.
THREE ATTEMPTS
The pressure mounted, in his first attempt he cracked prelims but mains fumbled. But even amidst the wreckage of disappointment, a stubborn hope flickered. “I was bummed, sure,” he admits, “but I knew I could crush it next time.”
However, due to overconfidence, he couldn’t clear his prelims in 2021 with a mere 1.5 marks. Amidst the turmoil, Bajrang continued his preparations, facing the intricacies of the UPSC exams and personal grief simultaneously. His journey was marred by further loss, losing his grandfather and then his maternal grandfather in quick succession. Yet, undeterred, Bajrang pressed on, determined to rise above adversity. “I’ve lost many closed one during this journey,” the young IPS officer added.
FINALLY! DREAM COME TRUE
In 2022, Bajrang’s hard work and perseverance bore fruit as he secured the 454th rank in the UPSC examination, with his home cadre being Uttar Pradesh. The triumph was bitter-sweet, accompanied by the poignant realization that some of his closest kin could not witness his success.
As Bajrang stands at the threshold of a promising career, he imparts valuable lessons to aspiring civil servants. His advice echoes the simplicity that defines his journey: fix your goal, seek guidance, work hard, and be patient.
