Meet IIT graduate who once worked at his father’s tobacco shop, cracked UPSC twice to become IRS then IAS, got AIR...

Failures are necessary to achieve staggering success in life, and some people overcome it very young and fulfill their dreams. One such inspiring success story is of IAS Niranjan Kumar.

Hailing from a small village in the Nawada district of Bihar, Niranjan Kumar, son of Arvind Kumar studied at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Rewar Nawada in 2004. In 2006 he completed his inter-degree from Science College Patna. Meanwhile, he used to work at his father’s small tobacco shop to fend for himself and family.

“I used to sit at my father’s small shop and sell khaini when he would go out. My father still runs the shop, even as I tell him he doesn’t need to anymore for a monthly earning of Rs 5,000,” said Niranjan in an interview with HT.

Thereafter, he completed his higher education at an IIT and secured a job as an assistant manager at Coal India Limited in Dhanbad. 

Then, he started his UPSC journey and got 728 AIR and became IRS officer. He then gave 2nd attempt in 2016 and finally became an IAS by achieving 535 AIR. He did his job and meanwhile prepared for UPSC without coaching.

His story is a testament to the fact that no matter the situations, it is always worthwhile to never give up on your dreams.