New Delhi: Sandeep Kumar had opportunities for lucrative jobs after the completion of his post-graduation from IIT Kharagpur. But he made the choice to pursue a career in the civil services. He embarked on his UPSC exam preparation during his final year of college. 

In his very first attempt in 2019, Sandeep made it to the interview round. Next year, he secured the rank of 186th and earned the title of IPS. Sandeep continued on his journey and in his third attempt, he secured an incredible 24th rank and attained the position of IAS. 

Who is Sandeep Kumar?

Sandeep Kumar is a resident of Tardiha village of Madhepur block in Madhubani, Bihar. His father, Suman Jha is a contractor, and his mother, Sunaina Devi is a homemaker. He attended Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and Indian Public School. He pursued a 5-year integrated master’s course in maths and computing from IIT Kharagpur. Sandeep began his UPSC preparation in the year 2018.

Sandeep’s inspiration

IAS Sandeep Kumar drew inspiration to join the civil service from his surroundings and a deep-rooted desire to contribute to the development of his village. This led him to realize that he could make a significant impact through administrative service, motivating him to embark on his UPSC journey. Despite facing initial setbacks, he persevered, learned from his mistakes, improved his capabilities, and continued on his path. 

Challenges in rural areas

A significant challenge in rural areas is the lack of guidance and role models. Sandeep shares that rural areas often lack individuals who have received education from IITs or have gone on to become IAS officers. In such circumstances, aspirants must navigate their journeys on their own to pursue their dreams. However, Sandeep was fortunate to receive unwavering support from his family, which played a crucial role in his pursuit of a career in civil service.

What helped Sandeep to stay motivated?

Sandeep's unwavering belief in honesty and hard work served as his greatest motivation. He consistently gave his best during exams, guided by the principle of 'Karmanyedhikavariste Maa Faleshu Kadachanam' from Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta. According to this philosophy, when you put in 100% effort in your endeavours, results will always bear fruit. This conviction was the driving force behind his determination and success.

Learning from mistakes

Following his initial setback in the first attempt at UPSC, Sandeep Kumar recognized the importance of learning from his mistakes. His key advice is to never repeat mistakes, with a particular emphasis on revising the notes regularly and attempting test series. These should be actively incorporated into one's preparation strategy.

Avoiding bad peer circles

Sandeep emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with positive and motivating people. He understands that the influence of a bad friend can be detrimental in preparation for the exams or even for any other goals. During the rigorous UPSC exam preparation phase, he made sure to surround himself with a supportive circle of friends.