Failed 35 exams but still cracked UPSC twice: How this Haryana man proved failures don’t define your success

At a time when exam results are dominating headlines, the story of Vijay Vardhan stands out as a powerful reminder that success doesn’t come easy, and that failure is often part of the journey. Hailing from Haryana’s Sirsa district, Vijay’s path to cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) was anything but smooth. Yet, his determination and resilience turned repeated setbacks into one of the most inspiring UPSC success stories in India.

From Engineering Graduate to UPSC Aspirant

Vijay Vardhan completed his degree in electronics engineering before moving to Delhi with a clear goal, to crack the UPSC exam. Like thousands of aspirants, he stepped into a highly competitive world that demands consistency, discipline, and patience. However, what followed was not immediate success but a long phase of struggles.

In a journey that would discourage many, Vijay failed in as many as 35 competitive exams, including Haryana PCS, UP PCS, SSC, and other government recruitment tests.


Despite repeated failures, he refused to quit. Instead of losing hope, he focused on understanding his mistakes and improving with each attempt. His story is a classic example of how UPSC preparation requires perseverance and mental strength.

Cracked UPSC, Became IPS Officer, But Aimed Higher

After years of hard work, Vijay finally cleared the UPSC exam in 2018, securing an impressive All India Rank of 104. This earned him a position as an IPS officer. However, he was not satisfied. Determined to achieve his ultimate goal, he continued preparing and appeared for the exam again.

Achieved IAS Dream Through Determination

In 2021, Vijay Vardhan successfully cracked the UPSC once more, this time securing his dream role as an IAS officer. His journey highlights that success in UPSC is not just about talent but about consistency, self-belief, and learning from failures.

As per his past interviews, he firmly believes that the best teacher is oneself, and that learning from mistakes and continuously improving is essential to achieving long-term success.

Vijay Vardhan’s journey sends a strong message to students preparing for competitive exams: failure is not the end. Instead, it is a stepping stone towards success.

His story proves that UPSC success stories are built on resilience, hard work, and never giving up, even when the odds seem overwhelming.

Inputs from agencies