In an extraordinary display of determination, 24-year-old Manvendra Singh from Bulandshahr has cleared the highly competitive Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Engineering Services Examination (ESE) 2025 in his very first attempt. The results, declared on December 17, placed him with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 112, securing his selection to the prestigious Indian Engineering Services (IES).
A Journey Defined by Resilience, Not Limitations
For Manvendra, an IIT Patna graduate, this achievement is the culmination of a life-long struggle that began in infancy. A resident of Awas Vikas in Bulandshahr district, he lives with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition affecting movement and muscle control. Diagnosed at just six months old, he faced significant physical challenges from a young age, including difficulty holding his neck by age two and developing stiffness on the right side of his body.
His mother, Renu Singh, the principal of a private school in Bulandshahr, describes a journey shaped by relentless persistence. "Clearing UPSC is a long and difficult process with several stages. From learning how to hold a pencil to mastering complex academic challenges, his journey has been full of physical and societal hurdles since childhood," she said. Everyday tasks required deliberate effort, turning adaptation into an instinct.
The family pursued extensive medical intervention, consulting over 50 hospitals and doctors across India before sustained treatment in New Delhi helped stabilise his condition. "Along with medical care, his willpower mattered the most," Renu Singh emphasised.
Academic Excellence Amidst Personal Adversity
The family endured a profound emotional setback when Manvendra was 17, with the passing of his father after a prolonged illness. "He was sensitive and emotional, and the loss affected him deeply," his mother recalled. In time, he recovered to support his family, quietly taking on responsibilities as the eldest child.
Academically, Manvendra remained unwaveringly focused. A consistently bright student, he excelled in school. After Class 12, when his family suggested the safer route of the Uttar Pradesh Technical Entrance Examination, he insisted on aiming for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). His resolve paid off when he aced the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) with an All India Rank of 63.
He went on to complete his BTech in Electronics and Electrical Engineering from IIT Patna in 2024. Following graduation, he moved to Delhi to join a coaching institute and prepare for the rigorous three-stage UPSC ESE, comprising prelims, mains, and an interview—a process demanding immense concentration and physical endurance.
Securing a Coveted Role in Indian Engineering Services
Manvendra's successful first attempt at the UPSC ESE 2025 has earned him a position in the Indian Engineering Services. The IES recruits engineers for Group A and B technical posts across pivotal central government departments like Railways, Telecom, and Power.
Reflecting on the challenging path, his proud mother said, "There were moments when everything felt overwhelming. But Manvendra never stopped believing he could do this." For the family, the rank is a symbol of a much longer arc—from a child struggling to grip a pencil to a young engineer who meticulously carved a space for his ambition within the limits of his own body.
His story transcends the result itself, serving as a powerful testament to human spirit, academic dedication, and the triumph of perseverance over profound physical and personal challenges.
