Meet IAS Officer Who Spent His Childhood In Refugee Colony And Left His Job At Infosys To Crack UPSC In First Attempt – News18

Last Updated:January 30, 2025, 15:32 IST

IAS Rituraj Singh, from a refugee colony in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, overcame financial struggles to secure an AIR of 69 in the 2014 UPSC exam, fulfilling his IAS dream.

The UPSC Civil Services Examination is widely regarded as one of the toughest exams in India, with candidates dedicating years of effort to navigate its multiple challenging phases. Many aspirants come from humble backgrounds and face numerous hardships during their preparation, all while keeping their ultimate goal in sight: to serve the nation by joining the administrative services.

One such inspiring tale is that of IAS Rituraj Singh, a man who rose from humble beginnings in a refugee colony to become a civil servant. Rising from a refugee colony in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, he transformed his life through relentless hard work and determination.

Born and raised in a refugee colony in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, Rituraj Singh grew up in modest circumstances. His father, Gokul Prasad Singh, was a retired railway employee. Despite financial constraints, Rituraj was determined to make a mark in life. He attended St Xavier’s School in Sahibganj till Class 10, before completing his intermediate studies in Delhi.

A Techie With Purpose

Rituraj later earned a BTech degree from Bengaluru and began his career with Infosys, a company led by billionaire Narayana Murthy. However, despite his successful start in the tech world, Rituraj decided to pursue his dream of becoming an IAS officer. He left his job at Infosys and moved to Delhi to focus on UPSC preparation.

The Journey To Success

Rituraj’s path to success wasn’t easy. He was an average student growing up and often procrastinated until the night before exams. However, his determination and hard work led him to achieve a B.Tech degree and secure positions in prestigious companies like Infosys and Tech Mahindra.

In his time at Infosys, Rituraj faced personal and professional struggles, including a fear of job loss. After consulting with his father, he made the bold decision to quit his job and devote himself fully to UPSC preparation. His study routine was rigorous—studying diligently from 8 PM to 1 AM every day. After a year and a half of focused preparation, Rituraj gained the confidence he needed to appear for the exam.

In 2014, his hard work paid off as he secured an impressive All-India Rank (AIR) of 69 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, achieving his dream of becoming an IAS officer.