https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

An IRS Officer With A Bard’s Heart

Indian Masterminds Stories

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”, this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson perfectly describes the life of Dr. Kundan Yadav. He started his journey from the ghats of Kashi and then moved through Allahabad, Benras Hindu University, and Jawaharlal Nehru University. He even went to the USA on Full Bright Scholarship to finally return to be an IRS officer.

His father was in the police, continuous transfers made Kundan Yadav change schools 17 times before passing his 12th Board. Dr. Yadav was not always a scholar, in fact, he did not pass 12th in one go, had it not been his missed opportunity to secure a room in JNU, he would never have been an acadaemic.

Without a proper room in a hostel when he had to spend days in the library, his life took a 90-degree turn and he became only the second person to get a Full Bright Scholarship in Hindi and went to the USA. But America couldn’t get Banaras and India out of him and he came back here.

He even cleared NET but then circumstances propelled him towards the civil services. Before clearing UPSC CSE, he also passed UPPCS. Dr. Yadav joined IRS (Customs and IT) even though he had another chance for appearing in MAINS. He could have been an IAS officer but he doesn’t regret it. He believes that IRS has given him all that an all-India service could have given.

He has just started his journey as a writer and poet with his first book published “Gandese Guru Ki Shapath”. In an earlier video, Mr. Yadav shared his poem on the Moon. Here he shares his connection with the Hindi language.

SELECTION IN HINDI

Dr. Yadav gave his written papers in Hindi but gave his interview in English. He believes
that although aspirants are still getting selected in Hindi the path is tough with any vernacular.
During an exclusive video interview with Indian Masterminds, Dr. Yadav shared his journey and talked about why he craves to be a professor, besides tips and advice for Hindi medium aspirants.


Watch the third part of the interview here:


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
UPSC Image
UPSC CSE 2025: Bihar Records Strong Performance as 24 Candidates Clear Exam, Raghav Jhunjhunwala Tops State
UPSC WEB Thumbnail
UP Shines in UPSC CSE 2025 Results as 6 Candidates Secure Top-30 Ranks, Astha Jain Tops with AIR 9
IFS Anita Shukla and IFS Suneet Mehta
IFS Anita Shukla Named India’s Next Ambassador to Ecuador; IFS Suneet Mehta Gets Additional Charge of Tonga
PMO-building
ACC Clears Extension for IAS Balaji in Rome, IRS Officer Aman Garg Gets IFC Assignment
NCERT Class 8 Textbook Judiciary Controversy
Supreme Court Slams Government Bodies for Ignoring Court Orders, Warns of Criminal Contempt
IAF S-400 Air Defence Visuals
IAF Plans Direct Import of 40–60 Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighters as AMCA Bridge Amid China’s J-20 Threat
missile
US Missile Defence Hit: Iranian Attack Damages $300 Million THAAD Radar in Jordan
Koyla Shakti
NTPC Mining to Auction 1.4 Lakh Tonnes of G-12 Coal from Talaipalli Mine at ₹1,405/MT on 20 March 2026
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2026-03-02 at 10.22
Beno Zephine: India’s First 100% Visually Challenged IFS Officer Who Rewrote the Rules of Diplomacy | EXCLUSIVE
Prajesh Kanta Jena
How IFS Prajesh Kanta Jena Empowered Women & Youth at Palamau Tiger Reserve
WhatsApp Image 2026-02-23 at 12.13
Exclusive | From Ridge to River: Prajesh Kanta Jena’s Community-Led Conservation Drive at Palamau
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ZINNIA AURORA
IPS Officer Zinnia Aurora Rewrites Her UPSC Story With AIR 6 in 2025 | Exclusive
Zinnia Aurora secured AIR 6 in UPSC CSE 2025 after previously entering the IPS. Her journey spans corporate...
Rajeshwari Suve M UPSC CSE 2025 AIR 2
UPSC CSE 2025: Rajeshwari Suve M Secures AIR 2, Deputy Collector from Tamil Nadu Shares Her 7-Year Journey | EXCLUSIVE
Rajeshwari Suve M from Tamil Nadu secured AIR 2 in UPSC CSE 2025. She shares her 7-year preparation journey...
yashaswi raj vardhan air 11
Exclusive: From Corporate Desk to UPSC Rank 11 - How Movies Dominated Yashaswi Raj Vardhan’s Interview & Lessons from His IAS Father
At 26, Patna’s Yashaswi Raj Vardhan left his corporate job at Barclays and cracked the UPSC Civil Services...
Social Media
One-Horned Rhino Calf
Watch: First One-Horned Rhino Calf of 2026 Takes Birth at Jaldapara National Park, IFS Officer Shares Rare Footage
A newborn one-horned rhinoceros calf was spotted at Jaldapara National Park on January 1, 2026. IFS officer...
venomous banded krait
Rare Night Encounter: IFS Officer Spots Highly Venomous Banded Krait During Forest Patrol, Internet Amazed
An IFS officer’s night patrol video of a highly venomous banded krait has gone viral, highlighting India’s...
elephant rescue Karnataka
Heroic Karnataka Elephant Rescue: How a 28-Hour “Impossible Mission” Became a Triumph of Wildlife Care, IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Video
A trapped elephant was rescued after 28 hours in Karnataka through a massive, expertly coordinated Forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
UPSC Image
UPSC CSE 2025: Bihar Records Strong Performance as 24 Candidates Clear Exam, Raghav Jhunjhunwala Tops State
UPSC WEB Thumbnail
UP Shines in UPSC CSE 2025 Results as 6 Candidates Secure Top-30 Ranks, Astha Jain Tops with AIR 9
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2026-03-02 at 10.22
Prajesh Kanta Jena
WhatsApp Image 2026-02-23 at 12.13
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT