How CRPF Commandant Raju Wagh Cracked UPSC 2024 While on Duty in Bastar
Most of us believe that cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, a dream of lakhs of aspirants, demands giving up everything else, starting from quitting our jobs, switching off from social life, to devoting every waking moment to books.
But Raju Wagh’s journey challenges this very notion. As a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Commandant posted in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, he was leading life on the frontlines, protecting the nation by day and chasing his civil services dream by night.
The good news? Against all odds, he secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 871 in UPSC 2024.
Hailing from Maharashtra’s Nashik district, Raju’s path has been marked by dedication and a strong vision. An alumnus of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and National Institute of Technology (NIT) Nagpur, his UPSC journey began in 2018, when he appeared for his first interview.
While many might be disheartened after years of trying, Raju only grew more determined. Balancing a high-pressure job with exam preparation is no easy feat, but he remained driven.
Raju would wake up at four in the morning every day, studying till six, before reporting for duty. In the evenings, he would squeeze in another two to three hours of focused learning. His weekends were entirely devoted to preparation. For Raju, it was never about the number of hours dedicated, but the quality and consistency of the topics completed.
A pillar of support through this journey was his wife, Poornima Wagh, a Chief Officer. The couple often studied together, and her encouragement played a crucial role in keeping his morale high. Having someone who believes in your dream indeed makes the toughest road feel a little easier.
His journey is a classic example that with discipline, clarity of purpose, and the right support system, even the most challenging goals are within reach. For every UPSC aspirant juggling work and studies, Raju’s story is a reminder that if you put in your hard work, things will somehow fall into place.
Edited by Saumya Singh; All images courtesy Raju Wagh
##QA-TP1##
News