Through dedication and courage, many have succeeded in the UPSC Civil Services Exam. Despite facing economic and social challenges, these aspirants achieve their goals through self-study, utilizing affordable resources like NCERT textbooks, online materials, and government libraries. A remarkable example is Ramesh Gholap, who started his journey selling bangles alongside his mother and has now become an IAS officer after successfully clearing the UPSC exam.

Background

Ramesh Gholap was born in Mahagaon, a village in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. His father, Gorakh Gholap, operated a small bicycle repair shop, and his modest income supported the family. However, Gorakh's declining health and struggles with alcohol addiction resulted in the closure of the shop. To make ends meet, Ramesh’s mother, Vimal, began selling bangles in nearby villages. Despite facing the challenges of having polio in his left leg, Ramesh joined his mother in selling bangles to help support the family.

Facing challenges

Ramesh was an exceptionally bright student and a standout star in his school. However, in 2005, he faced a devastating loss with the death of his father. Due to financial constraints, he struggled to even afford the bus fare to attend the funeral, relying on the kindness of neighbours to get there. This heartbreaking experience profoundly impacted him, making him realize that education was his only path out of poverty. From that moment on, Ramesh dedicated himself entirely to his studies, determined to build a better future for himself and his family.

UPSC dreams

Despite excelling in his studies, Ramesh faced significant financial challenges that compelled him to seek stable employment. He completed his Arts degree through distance education and became a teacher in 2009. However, a pivotal encounter with a Tehsildar during his college years ignited a new ambition within him.

Motivated by this experience, Ramesh made the decision to resign from his job and relocate to Pune to prepare for the UPSC examinations. His mother fully supported his decision, working tirelessly to gather funds for his education. Ultimately, Ramesh’s hard work paid off, and he successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination, realizing his dream of becoming an IAS officer.

Also read: From selling newspapers to becoming an IFS officer: P Balamurugan’s remarkable UPSC journey

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