Vikas Meena’s journey from the modest surroundings of Mahwa, a quaint village in Rajasthan, to the prestigious corridors of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is a narrative of inspiration and resolve. His story is one that resonates with the dreams and aspirations of many Indian youths, particularly those who pursue their studies through the Hindi medium and often face additional challenges in competitive exams like the UPSC.
From the onset of his educational voyage, Vikas imbibed the aspirations of his father, who envisioned a future for his sons in the civil services. With the completion of his schooling, Vikas set forth to Jaipur for his graduation, marking the beginning of a purposeful pursuit towards his father’s dreams.
The journey led Vikas and his brother to Delhi, the hub for UPSC aspirants. It was the year 2017 that witnessed Vikas’s dedication come to fruition, as he joined the league of select individuals to have cleared the UPSC examination.
Vikas reminisces about the initial days of his preparation in the national capital, a period when the performance of Hindi medium students in the UPSC was notably subpar. This reality did spark a sense of trepidation in him, given his own background in Hindi medium. However, Vikas didn’t let the fear cloud his determination. He approached his preparation with a robust mindset, determined to overcome any medium-based obstacles.
He shed light on a common predicament faced by many aspirants— the pre-exam jitters. Vikas observed that it’s typical for students to feel overwhelmed and under-prepared as the exam draws near, grappling with a sudden onslaught of self-doubt. His advice to combat this is to maintain composure, eschew panic, and ensure adequate rest before the exam to keep the mind sharp and clear.
Vikas emphasizes the importance of strategy during the examination. He suggests that every question should be treated with equal importance. Candidates should tackle the known questions first, thereby securing the scores within reach, before moving on to the uncertain ones. Furthermore, he highlights the crucial aspect of careful OMR sheet filling, which often becomes a pitfall for many in the rush of the exam.
Vikas’s success story is a beacon for many Hindi medium students, proving that language is not a barrier but a distinctive strength that can be harnessed with the right strategy and a calm, composed mindset. His path to becoming an IAS officer stands as a testament to the potential within every individual who dares to dream big and work tirelessly towards turning those dreams into reality.
