https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

When Cards are Stacked Against You

IAS Himanshu Nagpal, 2018 Batch UP cadre IAS officer
Indian Masterminds Stories

For IAS officer Mr Himanshu Nagpal, at present Joint Magistrate of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, the profession of civil services is “very satisfying.’’ The real motive behind him joining the civil services was to reach out to large section of people and help them in large numbers.

“UPSC is a means through which we serve people and bring smile on people’s faces” said Mr. Nagpal during a conversation with Indian Masterminds.

It doesn’t matter how you’re in your studies initially. You’ve got to start out from zero in UPSC and by working hard day and night to taste success. – Himanshu

THE BEGINNING

This 2018 UP cadre IAS officer, who was posted in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, belongs to Bhuna town of Haryana where he did his primary schooling in Hindi medium and further continued his studies in Hansi city of Haryana, while staying with his uncle. He graduated in B.Com (Hons.) from Hansraj College, Delhi. During graduation, he lost his father and brother, which he described as one of the most difficult times of his life. He was then supported by his uncle. He did chartered accountancy and also got a place in Indian Institute of Management (IIM) after clearing CAT examination during his second year of graduation.

IAS Himanshu Nagpal With Uncle (Credit: Social Media)

THE EXAM

During his internship, Mr. Nagpal came across various activities of bureaucracy which later prompted him to take part in this profession. He believed this to be the right way to have greater authority, power, and responsibility which could impact a big change in a society. He believed that the difficulties he came across in his college days helped him in various areas, such as being social with different kinds of people, being hard working and maintaining perseverance trough tough patches. These acquired traits, he says, also helped him a lot in clearing UPSC.

Initially though, Mr Nagpal faced problems with spoken English, but with his strong will got over this too.

IAS officer Himanshu Nagpal

Mr. Nagpal told Indian Masterminds, “One does not necessarily need to know the English language completely. The main focus should be to understand its concepts thoroughly. Though English is necessary to communicate with one another in a diverse society, one should be proud enough in speaking his own mother tongue.”

He cleared the UPSC examination 2018 in his first attempt, scoring AIR 26.

Himanshu Nagpal belongs to a village in Haryana and did his intermediate education in the Hindi medium.

FOR THE ASPIRANTS

Talking about what UPSC aspirants must keep in mind while preparing for the civil services exam, Mr. Nagpal says, “One should be very clear about his agenda in life. He or she should not go for the civil services just because it is respected or popular in our society. He should feel satisfied when he’s posted to some unfamiliar place with no facilities, and work for developing the place he’s posted in.”

Mr Nagpal believes that being consistent while preparing for the exam is the key to success. Right direction, right hard work and right motivation are the three important things an aspirant needs to always keep in mind, he pointed out.

Himanshu Nagpal’s story of cracking UPSC Civil Services exam in his first attempt in 2018 and securing AIR 26th rank in spite of personal tragedy is quite inspiring.

FUTURE PLANS

Mr. Himashu Nagpal plans to provide proper education and other facilities  for the children of the laborers. He also has plans to issue new policies to counsel students in Jaunpur and revive wetlands and ponds there.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
MP
Historic First: Madhya Pradesh Cabinet to Meet in 137-Year-Old Pachmarhi Raj Bhavan, Pays Tribute to Tribal Hero
Untitled design (10)
BIG: India’s Economy Could Hit $30 Trillion by 2047, Says G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant - But Will Need 500 Cities, 400 Airports to Get There
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
DMRC
DMRC Introduces Priority Frisking for Special Category Passengers - All Details Inside
Bank_Banking_news
SBI and Indian Bank Announce Key Changes in Senior Management - Check All Postings
DMRC
DMRC Director Manuj Singhal Honoured with 'Distinguished Corporate Leader Award-2025' by DTU-DCE
LIC Housing Finance
LIC Housing Finance Appoints T.C. Suseel Kumar as Additional Independent Director - Know About Him
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
Telangana IAS Officer's Remarks on Students Cleaning Toilets Sparks Political Uproar - Know the Case
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
MP
Historic First: Madhya Pradesh Cabinet to Meet in 137-Year-Old Pachmarhi Raj Bhavan, Pays Tribute to Tribal Hero
Untitled design (10)
BIG: India’s Economy Could Hit $30 Trillion by 2047, Says G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant - But Will Need 500 Cities, 400 Airports to Get There
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT