From Railway Platform To Running The Country: IAS Sivaguru Prabhakaran (AIR 101) Shares His UPSC Story

To be enlisted in the final merit list of the Union Public Service Commission, Civil Services Examination (UPSC CSE), one needs preparation that is comprehensive, consistent, and competent. To assuage the monotony of the immense workload ahead, a UPSC aspirant needs unwavering moral, social, and economic support from family and friends as well. Imagine if these were absent and yet you achieved your goal!

No success story better exemplifies these words than that of Tamil Nadu’s M Sivaguru Prabhakaran, who cracked UPSC CSE in his fourth attempt with AIR 101 in 2017 while facing all difficulties and financial problems.

With the Main Examination, CSE, fast approaching and hundreds of students aspiring to take it in the coming years, let Prabhakaran`s success story inspire you in your endeavour to achieve your goal.

Started With Struggle; Ended With Success

Born into a family of farmers, Prabhakaran knew what it means to struggle with sweat and tears day in and out since childhood. He has seen his mother and sister working tirelessly in the fields while sparing no free time even at night weaving bamboo baskets to run the family.

These financial struggles exacerbated by the alcohol addiction of his father presented a major challenge for Prabhakaran. With an unending struggle, Prabhakaran was once forced to stop his studies and work as a sawmill operator. He worked there for two years while engaging in some farming activities to support his family.

Prabhakaran's Mentality Of Not Succumbing To Challenges

Determined to grow in life, Prabhakaran decided to divide his small income between his family’s needs and academic pursuits. Prabhakaran restarted his studies after his sister’s marriage and supported his brother’s education. Amid these struggles, he got admission to a civil engineering program at Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology in Vellore in 2008.

From Railway Platforms To Social Platforms

However, to make ends meet and pay for his college tuition, he continued his temporary work during his spare time. He attended classes during the weekdays and spent his weekends at the platforms of St. Thomas Mount railway station for his studies.

As they say hard work leads to success, finally Prabhakaran’s consistent efforts led him to clear IIT Madras entrance exam for M.Tech and he earned his postgraduate degree in 2014.

IAS Sivaguru: "I wasn’t prepared to let go of my dreams”

With one step after another, he wanted to climb the success ladder and set his sights on the UPSC CSE examination. Even after facing setbacks, he refused to give up, and on his fourth attempt in 2017, Prabhakaran finally cracked the UPSC exam with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 101.

“I worked as a sawmill operator for two years and did a bit of farming. Whatever money I could muster, I spent some on my family and saved some for my education. I wasn’t prepared to let go of my dreams,” Sivaguru Prabakaran once said in an interview.

Parting Words To All The Aspirants

With his success in the UPSC exam, he has become an inspiration for his community and society. Prabhakaran’s story speaks of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.

His story is one built with nerves of steel marching forward undeterred to fulfill his dream. Rising above the many challenges coming his way, Prabhakaran not only achieved personal success but also served as an inspiration to millions of aspiring UPSC candidates across India.

Tough and monotonous it may seem, one`s willpower and uncompromising perseverance to achieve what one wants in life will ultimately lead to the sweetest successes of all. Hardships and pressure won't really matter to the one who has set his mind to achieve what he wants in life.

Best tidings of success be yours!

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Kaihrii Thomas

Associate Content Writer

Instinctively, I fall for nature, music, humour, reading, writing, listening, travelling, observing, learning, unlearning, friendship, exercise, etc., all these from the cradle to the grave- that's ME! It's my irrefutable belief in the uniqueness of all. I'll vehemently defend your right to be your best while I expect the same from you!

Updated On: 29 Aug'24, 10:11 AM IST