For 15 long years, Shiwam Kumar Srivastava fought not just for a job—but for justice. A visually impaired UPSC topper, he cleared the prestigious Civil Services Examination in 2008, securing a merit-worthy rank. But when the final selection list was released, his name was nowhere to be found. No explanation. No rejection letter. Just silence—a cold reminder of the systemic bias against the disabled.
Shiwam refused to accept this injustice. He took on the system, filing case after case, demanding the position he had rightfully earned. His battle exposed a dark truth: for over a decade, vacancies for visually impaired candidates remained unfilled—a blatant violation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.
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From lower courts to the Supreme Court, his case dragged on for 15 years, while his batchmates climbed the ranks in government services. Some became joint secretaries, shaping policies, while Shiwam, at 46, was still waiting for his first day on the job.
Finally, in 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a historic ruling, ordering his immediate appointment. But victory came at a cost—years of lost opportunities, delayed promotions, and a career stolen by bureaucracy.
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Today, as he begins his long-overdue service in the Indian Information Service, Shiwam stands as a symbol of resilience. His story is not just about his triumph—it’s about a broken system that denied countless others their rightful place. And his fight? It wasn’t just for himself. It was for every disabled individual who dares to dream.
His journey proves one thing: justice delayed is not justice denied—if you refuse to give up.
