Every year, when the UPSC Civil Services results are declared, the headlines go only to the topper's name. But the story of Vijay Vardhan, who hails from the Sirsa district of Haryana, is a reminder that behind every success lies a long list of failures. Vijay Vardhan failed a staggering 35 government and competitive exams before he refused to give up and went on to clear the UPSC exam twice, first becoming an IPS officer and later an IAS officer.
An Engineering Degree and a Big Dream in Delhi
Vijay Vardhan completed his B.Tech in Electronics Engineering, and once his degree was done, he set his sights on one goal: joining the country's most prestigious civil service. To chase that dream, he moved to Delhi, where lakhs of aspirants from across the country spend their days and nights buried in UPSC syllabi and books. Vijay became part of that same crowd, though he had no idea at the time that the road ahead would test his patience far more than his preparation ever would.
35 Failures, But a Resolve That Never Broke
While preparing for the UPSC Civil Services exam, Vijay Vardhan also appeared for several other government job exams as a backup option. From the Haryana PCS and UP PCS exams to SSC, every exam he attempted ended in failure. This was not a one time setback. The streak of failures ran all the way to 35 exams. That kind of run would be enough to break most people's confidence, but Vijay Vardhan refused to waste time crying over his luck. Instead, he treated every failure as a lesson and kept working on his weaknesses.
The First Big Win in 2018, Becoming an IPS Officer
After years of hard work and countless sleepless nights, Vijay Vardhan's efforts finally paid off in 2018. He secured All India Rank 104 in the UPSC Civil Services exam and became an IPS officer. The achievement brought joy to his family, but Vijay still had one goal left unfulfilled. He wanted to become an IAS officer, so even after joining the police service, he kept up his preparation alongside his job.
The IAS Dream Comes True in 2021
Becoming an IPS officer was not the end of the road for Vijay Vardhan. He decided to attempt the UPSC exam once again, and in 2021, his persistence paid off. He cleared the UPSC Civil Services exam a second time, this time securing a position as an IAS officer. In other words, he balanced his job with his preparation, sat for the exam again, and completed his journey from IPS to IAS.
His Message, Be Your Own Best Teacher
In media interviews, Vijay Vardhan often says that a person's biggest and best teacher is themselves. If someone keeps learning from their past mistakes and continues moving forward, no force in the world can stop them from succeeding. That message carries real weight for the lakhs of students who lose heart and quit preparation after failing just once or twice.
Vijay Vardhan's story proves that failure is not the end of the road, it is often the biggest step toward eventual success. Cracking an exam as tough as the UPSC is not just about talent. It comes down to persistence, self belief and the refusal to ever give up.
