After 16 Failures, This IITian Cracked UPSC On 17th Try; Now An Assistant Commandant – News18

Last Updated:May 05, 2025, 17:09 IST

By the time Abhinandan Yadav finally cracked the UPSC CAPF exam, he had appeared for government job exams 16 times without success.

In a modest village tucked away in Uttar Pradesh, a story of unrelenting grit and quiet perseverance has taken root – the kind that challenges defeat with a quiet smile and keeps moving forward. It’s the story of Abhinandan Yadav, a young man from Khojapur village in Ghazipur, who turned a string of 16 failures into a triumph that has now placed him among the ranks of the uniformed elite.

After years of relentless effort, he cleared the UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Assistant Commandant exam in 2024 – and did so in his very first attempt at this particular test.

Abhinandan’s early life was unremarkable in the best way: grounded in family, discipline, and the pursuit of education. After completing his schooling in Ghazipur, he joined the throngs of students who head to Kota each year with dreams of cracking engineering’s toughest entrance – the IIT JEE. His diligence paid off in 2018 when he secured a seat at IIT Guwahati. He graduated in 2022 with a degree and a job offer, stepping into the corporate world with a position in Gurugram.

But Abhinandan was not content with the stability of a private job. A government position, particularly one of national service, was always at the back of his mind. And so, even as he worked full-time, he began preparing for various competitive exams. The road was punishing. Between the demands of his job and the solitary life of a bachelor living away from home – cooking his own meals, managing his own schedule – he still carved out 12 hours a day to study. And yet, time and again, he faced disappointment.

By the time he finally cracked the UPSC CAPF exam, he had appeared for government job exams 16 times without success. But each failure, instead of deterring him, became a stepping stone. He analysed his mistakes, recalibrated his strategy, and pushed forward. At one point, his efforts yielded a modest breakthrough – he cleared the SSC CGL exam and briefly worked as an auditor. But his eyes were always set higher.

His moment of vindication arrived in 2024, when he not only cleared the prestigious UPSC CAPF exam but did so with confidence and clarity. Today, he stands tall as an Assistant Commandant, a position that commands both respect and responsibility in the paramilitary forces.

Abhinandan’s journey is more than a tale of academic perseverance. It is a quiet lesson in patience, self-discipline, and resilience – qualities often overlooked in an age obsessed with quick success. For every young aspirant disheartened by failed attempts at UPSC, JEE, or NEET, his story stands as a powerful reminder: setbacks are not endings. Sometimes, they’re just the long way home.

Location :

Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: