Cracking UPSC: How Wheelchair-Bound ISRO Scientist Landed At IIT & Cleared UPSC

IITian Kartik Kansal, a wheelchair-bound scientist, secured AIR 271 in UPSC 2021. Kansal, who worked for ISRO, has a story that will inspire every UPSC aspirant. Read his story and tips here.

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Cracking UPSC: How Wheelchair-Bound ISRO Scientist Landed At IIT & Cleared UPSC

Regarded as one of the toughest examinations in the country, clearing UPSC is no piece of cake. Rather it takes hard work, perseverance and consistent effort - all qualities exhibited by Kartik Kansal, a wheelchair-bound scientist who cleared UPSC 2021 with AIR 271.

Kansal, who belongs to Roorkee, was working with ISRO when he started preparing for UPSC. Only 26, Kansal managed a tough schedule when prepping for UPSC - balancing work with studying.

“Since I had nine hours working on weekdays, I used to manage my studies accordingly. During weekdays, I used to wake up at 6 am, study till 8 am, and then get ready and leave for the office. After returning from the office around 6:30 pm, I used to study till 11 pm. During weekends, I used to devote more time,” shared Kansal.

Who Is Kartik Kansal?

Kartik was only 8 when he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. At an age where kids explore playgrounds and play with their peers, Kansal was working with doctors and doing yoga to minimize the symptoms of his disease.

Muscular dystrophy is an incurable disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, making it difficult for the patient to move around. Most patients end up being dependent on a wheelchair. Kansal has been using a wheelchair since he was 14.

Despite the physical weakness and difficulties that came with muscular dystrophy, Kansal continued to work hard on building a life for himself. His willpower overcame his physical disability - landing him a spot at IIT Roorkee.

From IIT to UPSC: Learning From Rejections

In 2018, Kansal graduated from IIT Roorkee with a B.Tech degree. Post his graduation, he cleared the GATE examination and the Engineering Services examination. Though he cleared the engineering services exam, he was unable to appear for the mains - because he wasn't eligible for any of the posts due to his condition. The unfair rejection left him ‘shattered’.

“It was a difficult phase for me. Mentally, I was prepared, but what can I do about my physical condition? My whole world was shattered," shared Kansal.

That was when he decided to join Civil Services and bring a change in the policy. Thus began his UPSC journey. He took the exam three times - just to improve his rank.

He first took the exam in 2019, securing a rank of 813. In 2020, he again took the exam but could not clear the mains. In his third and final attempt, in 2021, he secured AIR 271. At this time, he was also working with ISRO as a scientist - and yet, he continued to work hard, overcoming the physical limitations.

“I believe it's always best to write the answer by yourself in such examinations. Though it was difficult for me, I practiced for four hours, every day for three months so that I could sit for UPSC Mains and write my paper,” shared Kansal.

Being on wheelchair from 14 years of age
4 attempts
3 interviews
2 final selection
UPSC CSE 2021 - RANK 271
UPSC CSE 2019 - RANK 813
Being rejected by the society but sill never give up#UPSC #WheelchairUser
— kartik kansal (@kartikcse271) June 4, 2022

Riding High On Family’s Support

Kansal shared that throughout his journey, his mother was his biggest supporter - encouraging him to push harder and fight against the odds. At the same time, his father and his brother were his pillars.

It was their support that pushed him to turn his rejection into motivation. Today, he wants to change the policies so people don’t look down on disabled individuals, and disabled individuals have access to the same resources as everyone else.

“Disability doesn't just come from the outside, it's more about mentality. Society, as I have witnessed, isolates such kids. With this, comes a psychological barrier. I want to work on improving that mentality as well, making India more accessible for everyone." said Kansal.

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Edited by

Srishti Magan

Sr. Content Editor

I’m a reader first and a writer second, constantly diving into the world of content. If I’m not writing or reading, I like watching movies and dreaming of a life by the beach.