UPPSC PCS Inspirational Story: There is nothing in life that a person cannot achieve if they set their mind to it; all that is required is firm determination.” This belief defines SDM Uttam Kumar Tiwari, now posted in Orai (Sadar) tehsil of Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh.
Hailing from Pratapgarh and a middle-class family, Uttam endured a broken IIT dream, fear of English, a Rs 10,000-a-month job and 13 consecutive failures. Any one of these could have crushed his spirit, yet he grew stronger, securing the 24th rank in UP PCS 2021.
Background Of SDM Uttam Kumar Tiwari:
Uttam grew up in a lower-middle-class family in Pratapgarh. His father worked as a clerk at a civil court, and the household included three sisters and two brothers. Having seen poverty up close, his father wanted him to study engineering at an IIT for a better future.
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The dream of an IIT education was shattered, yet he did not give up
In an interview with Josh Talks, Uttam said his father pooled all his savings, Rs 42,000, for his IIT-JEE preparation. But the gap between Hindi-medium and English-medium backgrounds became a major obstacle. His IIT dream fell apart, but he refused to give up.
B.Tech from a private college, followed by a job paying Rs 10,000
Uttam completed his engineering degree at a private college in Greater Noida, where he kept struggling with English. One day a professor scolded him for mistakes in basic words, which shook him and made him resolve to prove his worth. After B.Tech, there were no campus placements, and a call center rejected him as “overqualified.” He eventually took a Rs 10,000-a-month job, along with taunts about spending lakhs on his degree.
13 failures across SSB, UPSC and PCS
While working, Uttam prepared for government jobs and was selected in banks and insurance companies, but his heart was set on the Indian Army. He appeared for the SSB interview five times without success. He then turned to civil services, failing to clear even the UPSC prelims in three attempts. In UPPSC PCS, he appeared in the Mains six times and reached the interview stage five times.
Achieving the 24th rank in UPPSC PCS and becoming an SDM
Image Credit: Social Media Platform X Account (@uttamiec)
Balancing a job, marriage and fatherhood, Uttam never abandoned his PCS preparation. He identified his weaknesses and worked day and night. Finally, he secured the 24th rank in UPPSC PCS 2021 and became an SDM. His journey shows that failures can become stepping stones, and persistent effort is the true key to success.