UPSC Success Stories
Dr. Priyanka Saurabh
The Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Services Examination in India is not just an exam, but a symbol of the dreams, struggles, and aspirations of millions of young people.
Every year, lakhs of candidates from across the country appear for this exam, and only a few hundred ultimately secure a place in the administrative service. Therefore, those who succeed in this difficult examination naturally become the subject of discussion and respect in society. The news media, social media, and the general public are eager to know their life stories.
An interesting, and sometimes worrying, trend has emerged over the past few years. Successful candidates, often raised in affluent urban backgrounds, suddenly seem to identify themselves as “farmer’s son,” “village son,” or “from a rural background.” This trend isn’t just a question of personal identity; it also highlights a broader socio-psychological process in which one’s story is presented in a particular way to gain popularity and sympathy.
It’s natural to ask why this happens. Is it simply an attempt to inspire or a strategy to gain popularity? The answer to this question is not simple, as it lies in many social, cultural, and media-related reasons. Stories of struggle have always been highly respected in Indian society.
When someone overcomes difficult circumstances and achieves great success, that story inspires millions. This is why the news media often highlights examples where a candidate achieves success despite limited resources, financial difficulties, or a rural background.
There’s no doubt that such stories play a positive role in society. They instill in young people the belief that success can be achieved through hard work and determination, no matter the circumstances. In a country like India, where a huge gap still exists between rural and urban opportunities, such stories become a source of hope and inspiration.
But the problem arises when the pressure to present a story that is more appealing or emotional than the reality increases. In this age of social media, everyone wants to present their story in a way that reaches and influences as many people as possible. In this process, sometimes the complexity of the real background is reduced to a simplified and sentimental narrative.
Nowadays, the news media and social media play a vital role in shaping a person’s image. The story of a successful candidate can spread across the country in a matter of hours. Various interviews, video platforms, and news articles often highlight aspects of the story that are emotional and inspiring.
This is natural from the media’s perspective, as viewers and readers feel more connected to such stories. Headlines like “Youth from village joins administrative service” or “Farmer’s daughter makes it to administrative service” attract immediate attention.
As a result, sometimes some aspects of the story are given more prominence, while others are overlooked. If a candidate’s family originates from a rural area, but they were educated and raised in cities, the media often highlights those rural connections. This presents a partial picture of reality.
In a society as vast and diverse as India, identity isn’t always simple and one-dimensional. A person may be born in a village but educated in a city. One’s parents may be engaged in farming, while the family’s financial situation may be relatively stable.
In reality, both can be true simultaneously. But when an attempt is made to simplify and impact a story, one identity is often given prominence. This is why people sometimes feel that a reality-deflecting or exaggerated image is being presented. Today is a time of image and narrative.
Social media has given everyone the opportunity to create their own image. People not only express who they are, but also decide how they want to appear to society. But when this process becomes more based on image-building than reality, it becomes a subject of criticism. Society begins to feel that identity is being used to gain popularity.
It’s also important to remember that not every successful candidate does this. There are thousands of officers across the country who speak honestly about their backgrounds and view their success not merely as a personal achievement, but as a social responsibility. Ultimately, the true value of success in the administrative service should be determined by how an officer uses their position for the benefit of society. Honesty, sensitivity, and a spirit of public service are the hallmarks of any officer. Popularity may be fleeting, but true service and honest work are the foundation that earns a person lasting respect.
(The author is a PhD in Political Science. She is a poet and a columnist)
