A young boy in rural India carries a bucket, symbolizing the harsh conditions many children face when working to support their families. This image echoes the early life of Ram Bhajan Kumar, who helped his mother break stones for daily wages while dreaming of a better future. In India, one of the toughest challenges is the Civil Services Exam, which attracts over a million applicants each year but selects only about 180 IAS officers annually (a success rate around 0.2%). Against these staggering odds, the story of Ram Bhajan Kumar – who rose from abject poverty to become an IAS officer – stands out as a real-life testament to grit and perseverance. Born into a poor family in Bapi village, Rajasthan, Ram spent his childhood working long hours in the sun. As reported by Odisha TV and other media, he and his mother labored daily breaking large stones to earn a meager ₹5–10 per day. These earnings were barely enough for one meal on many days. Even so, Ram topped his tenth class at school, impressing his family with his potential. He continued to help break stones after class, learning a lesson that would later guide his exam strategy: find the weak spot and strike.

A scene of makeshift homes beside modern infrastructure highlights the stark contrast between India’s development and the persistent poverty in many communities. Despite reports that rural poverty has declined (to about 4.86% in 2023–24), images like this illustrate the uneven reality. Ram’s upbringing was in such a setting of limited means and hard work. In this context, Ram’s aspirations were remarkable. After finishing school, he earned a steady government job – a breakthrough moment for his family. He qualified and joined the Delhi Police as a constable. The job was demanding, with long hours and sudden duty calls, but it built his resilience and provided more stability. During his service Ram observed how officers helped citizens, which inspired him to aim even higher. He learned about the UPSC Civil Services Exam and resolved to become an IAS or IPS officer.

Struggle and Perseverance on the UPSC Path

Beginning in 2015, Ram enrolled in a UPSC coaching program – even borrowing money to pay the fees – and began preparing for the exam while still working full-time. Balancing his police duties, family responsibilities (he was now married with a child), and studies was extremely challenging. In 2015 his first attempt fell short by just a few marks, and he failed again in 2016 and 2017. Each setback was painful, and there were moments when he considered giving up. Yet Ram repeatedly reminded himself of his goal. As he later recounted: “If I stop now, my dream of becoming an officer will be gone forever. But if I succeed, my entire world will change.” This question – to continue or quit – fueled his persistence. Even as he juggled night shifts and irregular hours, he found time to self-study and stay focused on the vision of changing his family’s life.

Tragedy struck in 2021 when Ram’s father passed away from asthma amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This loss deepened the family’s struggles and shattered Ram’s spirits. He felt he had let his dying father down. In interviews he described slipping into despair, wondering why he was still fighting. But in that darkness he found new resolve. He thought of his young children and the life he wanted to build for them. Ram decided to channel his grief into determination, crafting “one final, foolproof plan.” In 2022, on his eighth attempt, all the hard work paid off: he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination (with an All India Rank in the 600s). That day – the culmination of years of struggle – was among the happiest of his life.

His journey caught national attention, and Ram Bhajan Kumar became a symbol of what perseverance can achieve. He urged other aspirants to give their 100% effort: “Try giving your all. If you do, success will follow. And even if it doesn’t, you will never be left with the regret of not having tried your best.” This powerful message summarizes the core motivation behind his success: relentless effort, no matter the obstacles.

Key Takeaways from Ram’s Journey:

• Perseverance through Failure: Ram failed in seven consecutive UPSC attempts, yet he never quit. His persistence shows that repeated setbacks can be overcome when one keeps trying.
• Learning from Hardship: The humble lessons of Ram’s childhood – finding the weak point of a stone – became his study strategy. This illustrates how practical life skills (and determination) can translate into academic advantage.
• Balancing Multiple Responsibilities: Ram managed work, family, and study simultaneously. His discipline in carving out study time amid duty showcases effective time management and sacrifice for one’s goals.
• Turning Loss into Motivation: After the devastating death of his father, Ram channeled his grief into fuel for his efforts. His ability to convert personal tragedy into renewed determination is a profound lesson in resilience.
• Giving Your Best: His motto was to give 100%. Ram believed that one’s only regret should be not having tried fully. This mindset – of maximising effort – underpinned his ultimate success.

Each of these lessons is grounded in Ram’s real experiences and reported statements. His story does more than inspire emotionally; it also provides a real-world example that even in one of the world’s most competitive exams – where typically only a few hundred are selected out of hundreds of thousands to millions of candidates – a person from a modest background can prevail through strategy and hard work. In 2019, for example, about 800,000 candidates applied and only 829 were chosen. That less than 0.2% selection rate reinforces how extraordinary Ram’s accomplishment was.

Conclusion

Ram Bhajan Kumar’s journey is a true motivational case study from India. It is based on verified facts reported by multiple outlets, and it illustrates the Reflections theme of a “real story” with depth and authenticity. From breaking stones for pocket money to breaking through the civil services barrier, Ram’s life shows that determination and perseverance can rewrite one’s destiny. His experience also highlights broader truths: even as India progresses (with rural poverty officially in single digits), countless individuals still face hardship. Stories like Ram’s bridge that gap by showing how individual effort can overcome systemic challenges.

Ultimately, Ram’s advice is clear: give your all without fear of failure. This timeless message, drawn from his own lived experience, continues to inspire aspirants and readers alike. By studying real-life examples such as Ram’s, we are reminded that motivation and success are possible for anyone who refuses to give up.

Sources: Facts and quotes in this article are drawn from news reports and interviews about Ram Bhajan Kumar, as well as official statistics on the UPSC exam and poverty in India. All information is publicly documented and cited above.

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