Meet a man, who was a bangle seller, overcame physical disability, cleared UPSC exam, is now an IAS officer, secured AIR…

The UPSC preliminaries are scheduled for next week and the candidates are diligently preparing for one of India’s toughest exams. Successful candidates are selected for roles such as IAS, IPS and IFS. Many aspirants take inspiration from the performances of previous toppers and create strategies to excel in the exam.

One such inspiring story making waves online is that of IAS officer Ramesh Gholap, a symbol of determination who overcame physical disabilities and financial hardships to secure an All India Rank (AIR) of 287, without any coaching.

Who is IAS officer Ramesh Gholap?

Currently serving as a joint secretary in the energy department in Jharkhand, Ramesh grew up in a lower-middle-class family. His father, Gorakh Gholap, owned a bicycle repair shop, but his health deteriorated due to alcoholism, and he died while Ramesh was still in school. Ramesh’s financial situation was so dire that he could not afford the two rupees he needed to travel to his father’s funeral.

His mother, Vimla Gholap, started selling bangles in nearby villages to support the family, while Ramesh and his brother helped her. Despite having a polio-affected left leg and facing severe financial constraints, Ramesh remained determined. He moved to Barshi, Maharashtra, to live with his uncle and further his education.

Although he excelled in his studies, financial difficulties led him to pursue a teaching degree. He obtained a degree in arts from an open university and became a teacher in 2009. A chance meeting with a tehsildar during his college days inspired him to aim higher.

Ramesh quit his job and moved to Pune for six months to prepare for the UPSC after his mother managed to raise money for his studies.

UPSC clearing without coaching

Ramesh took a six-month break from work to prepare for the UPSC. Although his first attempt in 2010 failed, he continued to study independently. His perseverance was rewarded in 2012 when he passed the Civil Services Examination with an AIR of 287 under the disabled quota and through sheer dedication and hard work became an IAS officer.