Defying all odds, 22-year-old Ravi Kumar from a remote village in India has cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in his very first attempt — without coaching — and has now become the youngest Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the year.
Hailing from a small farming family, Ravi would travel 50 kilometers daily by overcrowded bus to attend college. With no access to coaching institutes or advanced resources, he studied using library books, online government portals, and free digital content on a borrowed second-hand smartphone.
Despite financial hardships and long travel hours, Ravi remained focused on his dream of serving the country. His study schedule began at 4 a.m. and stretched well past midnight.
The UPSC exam is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in the world. For Ravi, success came not from formal coaching, but through discipline, determination, and self-study. “I couldn’t afford a coaching center, but I never let that stop me,” he said.
Ravi’s journey has sparked hope in rural students across India who believe the UPSC is out of reach due to lack of resources. His success sends a powerful message:
“Background doesn’t matter — mindset does.”
Officials have praised Ravi for his achievement, calling him a symbol of perseverance and grassroots talent. As he prepares to begin his training as an IRS officer, he also plans to mentor underprivileged aspirants who face the same challenges he once did.
With a bus pass, borrowed books, and big dreams, Ravi Kumar turned a 50-kilometre journey into a road to national service — proving that no distance is too great when the destination is purpose
