UPSC Success Story: Prahlad Meena, who worked as a track repairer in Railways, passed the UPSC exam by studying without coaching and working for 8 hours and fulfilled his dream of becoming an IPS officer in the year 2017.
IPS Prahlad Meena Success Story: Success is not dependent on anyone, one should just have determination and willingness to work hard. Prahlad Meena, born in a small village in Dausa district of Rajasthan, has proved this to be true. Prahlad, who once repaired tracks as a gangman in the Railways, is today a respected officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS). His story is a source of inspiration for millions of students in the country who are struggling with lack of resources or financial crisis.
Childhood full of deprivation and passion for studies
Prahlad Meena’s childhood was spent in extreme poverty and deprivation. His family had only two bighas of land, making it very difficult to survive. In his childhood, he continued his studies along with grazing animals. Despite the difficult circumstances, he never let the importance of education diminish and instead of succumbing to the circumstances, he made them his strength.
Starting with Gangman’s first job
To improve his financial condition, he initially chose the job of Gangman (Group D) in Railways, where his job was to maintain and repair the railway tracks. Even while serving in the Railways in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, he always had a passion to achieve something big. Instead of considering this job as a compulsion, he used it as a stepping stone to move ahead. Later he also worked as Assistant Section Officer (ASO) in Delhi.
Preparation without coaching with 8 hours of duty
When Prahlad decided to appear for the UPSC exam, considered the toughest in the country, he neither had expensive resources nor the help of any coaching. He did excellent time management with 8 to 9 hours of work. He used to wake up every day at 4 am to study, study during the lunch break in the office and prepare for current affairs by reading newspapers while traveling in the metro.
Even 3 failures could not shake the courage
Prahlad Meena got the opportunity to appear for UPSC main examination in the year 2013 and 2014. However, he could not achieve success in the preliminary examination of the year 2015. In this path of struggle, Prahlad had to face failure three times in a row and people also made fun of him. But instead of accepting defeat, he overcame his shortcomings. He strengthened essay writing and his optional subject ‘Hindi Literature’. He considered his failures as his biggest teachers and stood up again with double the hard work.
Dream of becoming IPS fulfilled in 2017
Prahlad Meena’s hard work, patience and persistence bore fruit in the year 2017, when he fulfilled his dream of becoming an IPS by passing the UPSC exam with rank 951. The most special thing was that after becoming IPS, he got the opportunity to serve in the same Odisha cadre in the state of Odisha where he once worked as a railway gangman.
Giving a message to the students, IPS Prahlad Meena says that instead of reading a lot of books, one should revise limited books again and again and never lose one’s confidence under any circumstances.
