The story of IPS Officer Suraj Singh Parihar is not a straight line, but a map of relentless determination.
It began in a small village school in Jaunpur, where a young boy lived with his grandparents. His grandfather’s stories of men who served the country planted a deep-seated goal in his heart. After the fifth grade, he moved to Jajmau, Kanpur and continued his education in a Hindi medium school.
His talent was evident early on. He was not only a good student but also excelled in sports and creative writing. This excellence was recognized at the highest level when, in 2000, he received the National Bal Shree Award from President K.R. Narayanan. Yet, at that very national event, he faced a personal challenge. He felt a lack of confidence when he met children who spoke English fluently. He could read and write the language, but speaking was difficult. So, he took it upon himself to learn. He read newspapers, watched English channels and practiced speaking in front of a mirror until he conquered this barrier.
After securing 81% and a distinction in all five subjects in his Class 12 boards, his family's financial reality shaped his choices. In a joint family with a sole earner, he felt the need to contribute. He started a small coaching center with a friend. His larger plan, however, was always clear: to gather resources to prepare for the UPSC examination.
This plan led him to a call centre. The journey there was not smooth. He failed the initial voice and accent test and was asked to leave. He requested one final chance from his manager, Kanishk. Given a one-month ultimatum, he worked with such dedication that he not only passed but became a top performer, earning a place on the 'Wall of Fame' and a significant salary raise.
But the comfort of a successful job did not dim his original goal. When the Vice President of the company offered to double his salary to make him stay, he declined. He quit and moved to Delhi for UPSC coaching in 2007-08. His savings ran out in about six months.
Undaunted, he pivoted. He wrote probationary officer exams for eight banks and cleared all of them. He worked for the Bank of Maharashtra for four months, then moved to the State Bank of India. After a year in various branches, he was promoted to Bank Manager in Chamoli. This promotion, a milestone for many, was a crossroads for him. He knew accepting this comfortable position would take him away from his UPSC dream. So, he left the bank job.
His resolve remained unshaken. He then secured an All India 23rd rank in the SSC examination and became an Inspector in the Customs and Excise Department. It was a prestigious post, but his target was still the UPSC.
His attempts were a test of patience. In 2011, he reached the interview but was not selected. In 2012, he could not clear the Mains. In his third and final attempt in 2013, he cleared the exam and was selected for the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). His dream of the IPS remained unfulfilled, but he had come incredibly far.
Then, a policy change by the government extended the age limit and the number of attempts. This gave him the opportunity he needed. In his next attempt, he achieved All India Rank 189. The goal was accomplished. IPS Officer Suraj Singh Parihar had arrived.
His story is a real-life proof of a simple truth: the path to a dream is often a series of difficult choices, detours and setbacks. He did not just dream; he built his reality, one deliberate decision at a time.
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