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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
