Failed to clear Class 10th, farmer’s son cracked UPSC exam thrice, became IPS officer with AIR…; not IPS Manoj Sharma, he is…
IPS Ishwar Gurjar success story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is arguably one of the toughest recruitment exams in the country, and while most aspirants who clear the CSE come from a sturdy educational background, there are a few who are academically average, or even below average at times, and have to scratch and claw their way to the top.
One such shining example is the inspiring story of IPS Ishwar Gurjar, an IPS officer from Rajasthan who once failed to clear his Class 10th exam, but hard work and perseverance propelled him to UPSC success.
Who is IPS Ishwar Gurjar?
Born in a lower middle-class home in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Ishwar Lal Gurjar is the son of a humble farmer, Suvalal Gurjar, and a homemaker mother, Sukhi Devi. Growing up, Ishwar was an average student in school and failed to clear his Class 10th board exams, leaving him dejected, and prompting him to think about whether he should quit studies.
However, despite the failure, Ishwar’s father stood behind his son like a rock, encouraging him to never lose hope and courage.
How Ishwar Gurjar became an IPS officer?
Ishwar took his father’s words to heart and cleared Class 10th exams in 2012, scoring a respectable 54%, and then 68% in Class 12th. After his schooling, Ishwar Gurjar earned a Bachelor’s degree from the MDS University, and landed a job as a government school teacher in 2019.
But Ishwar dreamed of achieving something bigger in his life and engrossed himself in preparing for the UPSC CSE. The road ahead, however, was filled with hurdles as he failed to clear the 2019 UPSC Prelims in his first attempt, reached the interview stage but did not make the final list in 2020, and was met with another failure in 2021.
However, the resilient young man refused to give up on his dreams, and ultimately cracked the UPSC CSE in his fourth attempt in 2022, securing an All-India Rank (AIR) of 644, and was accorded Indian Revenue Service (IRS) cadre.
But Ishwar Gurjar desired to join the Indian Police Service (IPS), and achieved this goal in his fifth attempt in 2023, where he secured AIR 555. In 2024, Gurjar cracked UPSC CSE for the third consecutive time, bettering his AIR to 483.
‘My UPSC journey ends today’
Following the 2024 UPSC CSE results, Ishwar posted a heartfelt note on his Instagram handle, reminiscing his UPSC journey, which he announced now came to an end.
“The words are the same, only the year and time have changed. This time, the UPSC CSE 2024 result is out. My rank is AIR 483. After initial failures, seeing my name on the UPSC list three times in a row (IRS, IPS, …483) and the pride and satisfaction of becoming a part of the Indian Police Service (IPS) is no small thing.
This journey from 2020 until today holds so many memories and so many lessons. In this preparation, I found amazing friends who helped weave a chapter of my life’s story; I encountered great teachers and heaps of books that filled the void within; I met well-wishers whose blessings made destiny kind. Numerous exam papers, many cities, many dhabas, and tea gatherings have been witnesses to this journey. This one exam helped me a lot in refining and shaping myself, giving me many experiences…
If I had not succeeded, would this civil service journey have felt just as pleasant? Or would it have become a memory of a tragedy? I don’t know. But even if I had not succeeded, I would never have been filled with self-pity or inferiority, I wouldn’t have cursed myself. There would have been regret, but I would not have carried that regret for life. I would have used whatever I learned from this unsuccessful attempt to make my life better. There are many examples of people who failed in UPSC exams but did wonders in their respective fields.
For me, the UPSC journey ends today. Life now stands at the threshold of a new path, and now the Indian Police Service (IPS)… is my true calling.”
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