Meet IAS Officer Sreenath K: Worked As Railway Coolie, Studied Using Free Wifi To Clear UPSC Exam Without Coaching; His Self-Study Success Mantra Is...
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of India's most competitive exams, conducted annually to recruit officers for prestigious roles like IAS, IPS, and IFS. It includes three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Over 10 lakh aspirants apply each year, aiming to serve the nation through administrative leadership roles. https://zeenews.india.com/photos/education/meet-ias-officer-sreenath-k-worked-as-railway-coolie-studied-using-free-wifi-to-clear-upsc-exam-without-coaching-his-self-study-success-mantra-is-2930367 Updated:Jul 11, 2025, 04:17 PM IST UPSC preparation
1 / 7
Some aspirants face extreme financial challenges and can't even afford basic study materials for UPSC preparation. A truly inspiring example is IAS officer Sreenath K from Kerala. Once a railway porter, he used free Wi-Fi at the station to study on his mobile phone, turning his hardships into motivation and success. Ernakulam railway station
2 / 7
Hailing from Munnar in Kerala, Sreenath K grew up in a financially challenged household. To support his family, he worked as a porter at Ernakulam railway station, earning just Rs 400–500 a day—an amount that barely met their basic needs. Financial hardships
3 / 7
Despite facing severe financial hardships, Sreenath remained determined to achieve his dream of becoming an IAS officer. With no money to buy the recommended UPSC study materials, he still didn't lose hope. Instead, he found a creative way to overcome the odds and turn his challenges into an opportunity. Online resources
4 / 7
Sreenath spent his days working hard to earn a living, and dedicated his nights to studying. He made use of free online resources like YouTube videos, mock tests, and study material available on the internet to prepare for the UPSC exam. UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018
5 / 7
Sreenath K's dedication and relentless effort paid off when he successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2018. According to media reports, he scored an impressive 82% in the written exam. Although his exact All-India Rank (AIR) remains undisclosed, he secured a notable position, earning him a place in the esteemed IAS cadre. Kerala Public Service Commission
6 / 7
In 2018, Sreenath received praise from Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, for his remarkable achievement. His inspiring journey was also highlighted by Google India. Initially, he appeared for the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) exams and secured a good rank. However, his ultimate goal was to become an IAS officer, so he continued his preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Examination with unwavering determination. Determination of becoming IAS officer
7 / 7
Despite the challenges, Sreenath remained determined to change his life. On his fourth attempt, he secured a good rank and achieved his dream of becoming an IAS officer. His remarkable journey serves as a powerful inspiration for many government job aspirants who face financial hardships.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand rains: 245 villages affected in 14 Years; govt spends Rs 111 crore on rehabilitation
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is reeling under the devastating impact of the annual monsoon season, with 245 villages ravaged by landslides, floods, and cloudbursts over the past 14 years. This translates to an alarming average of 17 villages lost each year, forcing thousands from their ancestral homes. The human cost of this recurring natural fury is immense, compounded by property losses running into crores of rupees. Families are routinely uprooted, compelled to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer locations. So far, the state government has undertaken rehabilitation and displacement procedures for 2,629 affected families. "The scale of this challenge is unprecedented," remarked a senior official from the State Disaster Management Authority, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are not just managing disasters; we are constantly relocating entire communities. The financial burden is substantial, but the safety of our citizens is paramount." Indeed, the financial strain on the state exchequer is significant. More than Rs 111 crore has already been expended on the displacement and rehabilitation of affected families. For the current fiscal year (2025-26), a budgetary provision of Rs 20 crore was made for the rehabilitation and relocation of disaster-affected villages. To date, Rs 11.44 crore has been released, facilitating the rehabilitation and displacement of 255 families across 12 villages.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Govt. sanctions ₹54 crore for VETRI Palligal to prepare students for JEE, NEET
The Tamil Nadu School Education Department sanctioned Rs 54.7 crore to set up Vibrant Education Targeting Reputed Institution (VETRI) Palligal in 236 government higher secondary schools to provide career counselling and intensive coaching for students. According to a government order issued by the department, VETRI Palligal in every block would help Class 11 and 12 students get into premier higher education institutions. A total of Rs. 54.73 crore was sanctioned in the first phase for the year 2025-26. An existing government higher secondary school would be selected in each block and be named as VETRI Palligal. The district model schools will act as a hub providing academic material support and direction for academics as well as assist in career guidance, the order stated. Weekend support classes would be conducted for volunteering students from Classes 11 and 12 to prepare for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, CLAT and CUET. Four teachers would be engaged for students in each block on Saturday and Sunday. The order also noted that two volunteering government teachers from each Block would be part of the sessions. These four teachers together will cater to the needs of both the blocks, alternatively. Further, four teaching resources would be onboarded through a temping agency to cover the subjects other than those covered by the volunteering teachers. Supervised and supported online classes would be made available through district model school resources. The VETRI school would also receive high speed internet. Mock tests would be conducted every week through hi-tech labs. A survey on the working conditions of these hi-tech labs in the host schools followed by steps to strengthen these wherever necessary will be underaken , the order said. Students of Class 11 and 12 from government higher secondary schools of the block would attend these weekend sessions where they would be introduced to career options and also have the choice of deciding which entrance exams they wish to take. Based on their choice, they would take an aptitude test to enable grouping of students for sessions Students' attendance would be strictly monitored through an app, and any absence notified to the respective school principal, officials said. Assessments conducted through hi-tech labs would be analysed by the district model schools' State office after which the analytics would be shared with the teaching resources. Students' feedback would also be collected through the app. Based on assessment analytics and student feedback, regular review meetings would be held with the teaching resources by the District Model Schools State Office.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
IndiGo A321 suffers tailstrike at Mumbai airport during go-around in inclement weather
An IndiGo Airbus A321 suffered a tailstrike during a go-around at Mumbai airport on Saturday afternoon during adverse weather, officials and the airline said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident. The airline stated that the plane's tail scraped the runway as the pilot decided to go around at low altitude because of inclement weather. The plane landed safely and no crew members or passengers were injured in the incident. Tailstrikes refer to instances where the tail of an airplane touches the runway during takeoff or landing. These incidents are deemed serious and are compulsorily reported to the DCGA for investigation and action. This is not the first such instance involving the airline. Earlier in March, another IndiGo Airbus A321's tail struck the runway during landing at Chennai airport. In 2023, the DGCA had charged IndiGo a penalty of Rs 30 lakh after four cases of tailstrikes were reported in six months. The regulator, in its audit, had identified gaps in the airline's engineering procedures and training. The spokesperson added that safety procedures were being adhered to. 'At IndiGo, the safety of our customers, crew, and airplanes is our utmost priority. We are taking all possible attempts to reduce any follow-on effect on our operations with this event,' the spokesperson said. After Saturday's incident, the plane was taken out of service for inspection and repairs. The DGCA will go over technical information, crew members' actions and weather conditions prior to issuing a final report. Examinations of such occurrences usually involve pilot crew simulator checks, engineering inspections and recommending additional correction steps if necessary.
