When life gave him a bench, he built a dream. IAS officer Nitin Sangwan’s journey is not about early ambition or privilege — it’s about rediscovering purpose, embracing failure, and proving that marks never define destiny.
A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything
Years ago, while working at Infosys in Chandigarh, Nitin Sangwan — an MBA from IIT Madras — was going through what IT professionals call “the bench period,” a lull with no assigned project. Restless but curious, he picked up a UPSC Preliminary exam paper out of sheer interest.
That small act changed his life forever.
“The idea of joining Civil Services came all of a sudden,” Nitin recalled. “It wasn’t about quitting my job — it was about finding a purpose larger than myself.”
From Small-Town Dreams to National Service
Born in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, Nitin grew up in a modest family. His father worked in a bank, and his mother was a homemaker. There were no IAS officers in his family, no fancy schools — just a quiet belief that he could do more.
But his academic record told a different story. In a now-viral post, Nitin shared his Class 12 Chemistry marksheet — just 24 out of 71, barely above passing. Alongside, he wrote words that inspired millions:
“Marks cannot decide what I will do in life. Don’t make kids bear the weight of grades. Exams are not all that exists in life.”
That single message broke the illusion that only toppers succeed — showing instead that resilience, not report cards, decides a person’s fate.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Nitin’s UPSC journey wasn’t smooth. He began preparing while juggling his newly married life and a full-time job. Without formal coaching, he relied on his own discipline and curiosity.
He failed the first attempt. Then again. But he didn’t stop.
After four attempts — and stints as a Tehsildar in Haryana, a DANICS officer, and later in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) — he finally cracked the IAS exam in 2015 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 28.
His message to aspirants remains simple yet profound: “It’s okay to fall — just don’t stop climbing.”
Rethinking Success and Failure
In a nation obsessed with scores and ranks, Nitin Sangwan’s story stands out as a beacon of hope. He reminds us that the UPSC is not the ultimate race, and failure is just another chapter in the journey toward greatness.
His transformation from an IT bench employee to one of India’s top bureaucrats is proof that destiny favours the persistent — not the perfect.
“The real exam,” Nitin says, “isn’t on paper — it’s the test of patience, faith, and self-belief.”
A Lesson for Every Dreamer
Nitin’s life redefines what success truly means. From scoring 24 marks in Chemistry to becoming an IAS officer shaping India’s policies — his story proves that dreams have no deadlines.
For every student, every struggler, and every dreamer — this is your reminder that failure is never final.
