UPSC Success Story: Chambal Dacoit’s Grandson Makes It On Final Attempt, Last Package Was Rs 88 Lakh – News18

Last Updated:April 24, 2025, 09:38 IST

UPSC 2024: Coming from a background that once carried the stigma of a lawless past, Dev Tomar focused on education and hard work to script a new chapter for himself

UPSC Success Story: Breaking free from the shadows of a challenging family history, Dev Tomar from Gwalior has successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Speaking about his past, Dev shared how people often told him that he wouldn’t amount to anything because his grandfather was a rebel dacoit from Chambal. But today, he stands with pride, having proven them wrong. This Gwalior resident defied the odds and silenced his critics by securing the 629th rank in the UPSC exam on his final attempt.

Once working as a scientist at Philips Company Headquarters in the Netherlands with an annual package of Rs 88 lakh, Dev embarked on his UPSC journey in 2019 while continuing his job. Despite the infamous past of his grandfather, Ramgovind Singh Tomar, who was a rebel dacoit in Chambal, Dev’s father, Balveer Singh Tomar, pursued education and became a principal after obtaining a PhD in Sanskrit, inspiring Dev to achieve academic excellence.

Dev’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. Coming from a background that once carried the stigma of a lawless past, he focused on education and hard work to script a new chapter for himself. Dev credits his success to his parents.

Ashish Raghuvanshi: A Focused Path To UPSC Triumph

In a remarkable display of dedication, 23-year-old Ashish Raghuvanshi, son of ASI Naresh Raghuvanshi of the Madhya Pradesh Police, has secured the 202nd rank in the UPSC exam on his first attempt.

A graduate in B.Com from Delhi University, Ashish dedicated 8 to 10 hours daily to his studies, completely distancing himself from social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. ASI Naresh Raghuvanshi, residing in Dangora village of Ashoknagar district, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement.

Ashish’s story highlights how dedication, time management, and self-restraint can lead to extraordinary outcomes, even on the very first try.

Divyanshi Agarwal: Self-Study Leads To Success

In an inspiring tale of self-reliance, Divyanshi Agarwal from the small town of Bhitarwar in the Gwalior district achieved the 249th rank in the UPSC exam through self-study, without any coaching. Her success has brought immense joy to her and her family, proving that determination and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements.

Her journey, rooted in dedication, consistency and discipline, has become a beacon of hope for thousands of UPSC aspirants nationwide, especially those from rural backgrounds or without access to formal coaching. Her achievement shows that with the right mindset, even the most challenging goals can be within reach, regardless of one’s background or resources.

Location :

Gwalior, India, India