Never attended college, yet cleared 12 government exams: Meet IPS Sandeep Choudhary who has won multiple gallantry awards

Meet IPS Sandeep Choudhary

• Sandeep Choudhary cleared 12 government exams through self-study and perseverance
• He became an IPS officer and was promoted to DIG in the NIA.
• His journey highlights that determination can overcome any barrier

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The day his world changed, Sandeep Choudhary was just a boy in the 12th grade. His father, his pillar of strength, passed away suddenly. The grief was overwhelming, a heavy cloud over their home in Punjab. Just six days later, with a heart full of sorrow, Sandeep walked into his board exams. He passed. It was his first lesson in courage: life doesn’t stop, and neither could he.

With his family now relying on him, the dream of attending a regular college faded. But Sandeep’s dream of learning did not. He enrolled at IGNOU, studying through their open learning program while taking up tutoring jobs to support his home. He earned his BA, then his MA, book by book, late night by late night. It was here, during his MA, that he took a chance on the UGC NET exam. To his own surprise, he cleared it on his first try. A small spark of confidence ignited within him.

His first government job was as a postal clerk—a humble beginning with fierce competition. He got it. That spark grew brighter. He thought, “Why not try another?” And then another. Without any expensive coaching classes, relying only on his own disciplined study, he began to clear one tough exam after another. Bank PO, Income Tax Inspector, Assistant Commandant in BSF—the list grew. He cleared an astounding twelve government exams in total. Each success was built not in a classroom, but on the foundation of his own willpower.

Yet, a deeper calling was waiting. While working as a bank manager in Guwahati, a moment of inspiration struck. His roommate had cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam, one of the toughest in India, with a top rank. Sandeep looked at his own journey—a boy who never went to college, who studied on his own terms—and asked himself, “Can I do that too?”

Balancing a demanding job with UPSC preparation was a monumental task. But Sandeep’s determination was now a flame. He managed his time strictly, sacrificing comforts and sleep. In 2014, he attempted the UPSC exam. Not only did he clear it, but he also achieved an all-India rank of 158. In his interview, he scored the highest marks in the country that year. The boy who studied from open university books had become an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

His journey of excellence continues. After serving with distinction as a Superintendent of Police, including in critical roles like the Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, Sandeep Choudhry has reached another pinnacle. In December 2023, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

His story is not about magic or genius. It’s a simple, powerful reminder: your circumstances do not write your future. Your perseverance does. Sandeep’s journey from a grieving teenager to a senior DIG, clearing twelve exams on his own steam, shouts one truth to the world—no barrier is too great when your resolve is greater. If he can, perhaps, so can you. The only thing you truly need to start is a belief in yourself, strong enough to take that first step, and the courage to keep walking.