Techie from Mumbai slums, whose father is a truck driver, shares how he cracked UPSC: ‘For years my dream wasn’t a big career, but….’

Nothing can hold you back from your dreams if you have the ability to persevere. In a chat with The Humans Of Bombay, Bapusaheb Gaikwad, who cracked UPSC shared his incredible journey.

Roots in Hardship

Bapusaheb grew up in a small village in Maharashtra, where life revolved around meeting basic needs. His father spent four decades driving trucks, while his mother worked tirelessly as a farm labourer in others’ fields. From a young age, he carried a simple yet ambitious dream—to rise to a position of authority and dignity.

However, life took a devastating turn during his school years when his father suffered a paralytic stroke. The sudden health crisis disrupted the family’s fragile stability, placing the burden of survival on their shoulders. Dreams seemed distant as survival became the immediate priority.

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Fighting for Survival in the City

In search of better opportunities, the family relocated to Mumbai in 2004, only to face even tougher realities. Living in slum conditions, their daily focus narrowed to securing food rather than planning careers. His mother took up work as a domestic helper, while Bapusaheb and his brother laboured at construction sites to support the household.

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Despite these challenges, he remained committed to education. He completed a diploma in engineering and eventually secured employment at L&T. For five years, he dedicated himself to stabilizing his family’s financial condition. During this time, he ensured his brother completed his education and professional training.

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A Turning Point of Faith

A defining moment arrived in 2014 when his brother became a teacher and encouraged him to pursue his long-held aspiration. With renewed confidence and family support, Bapusaheb resigned from his job to focus entirely on preparing for the UPSC examination.

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To sustain himself, he began teaching and mentoring students while continuing his studies. Without access to structured coaching initially, he relied on self-learning, experimentation, and persistence. Later, he moved to Delhi with a modest government scholarship, dedicating long hours daily to preparation.

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Failure, Resilience, and Final Triumph

The journey was far from smooth. He faced repeated setbacks, failing the examination twice. Yet, instead of giving up, he treated each failure as a lesson, refining his approach and strengthening his resolve.

In 2025, during his final attempt, destiny finally aligned with his efforts. While teaching a class in Delhi, he received news that would change his life forever—he had secured a rank of 561 in the UPSC examination.

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A Victory Shared with Love

The moment of success was deeply emotional. His brother’s voice trembled with pride over the phone. Returning home, he was welcomed by his family, friends, and villagers. His mother’s tears of joy and the celebration with gulal marked not just an achievement, but the culmination of years of struggle.

When asked about her son’s accomplishment, his mother expressed simple pride, acknowledging that he had achieved something truly significant, even if she didn’t fully grasp its magnitude. For Bapusaheb, that moment symbolized fulfillment—a life’s purpose realized through perseverance.