Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala brought pride to Tripura by cracking the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 317. The result, announced today, marked the end of a long and determined journey for the 29-year-old, who cleared the exam on his eighth attempt. His achievement has not only inspired aspirants across the state but also highlighted the strength of perseverance and consistent effort.
Sagar stayed committed to his goal despite facing numerous setbacks. Over the past seven years, he gave up several job opportunities and social commitments, choosing instead to dedicate his full focus to cracking one of India’s most prestigious examinations. His journey began with a dream nurtured during his college days in Delhi. He always aspired to serve society and saw the civil services as the ideal platform to bring about positive change.
He pursued his graduation in political science and completed a postgraduate degree while preparing for the exam. Throughout these years, he continued to deepen his understanding of public policy, governance, and current affairs. He admitted that staying motivated wasn’t always easy. Several failures and close misses tested his patience and resolve. But he refused to give up, encouraged by his family, teachers, and a tight circle of friends who believed in his potential.
His parents, residents of Agartala’s Indranagar area, stood by him through every disappointment. They offered emotional support, helped maintain his focus, and made financial sacrifices to ensure he had access to the best study materials and coaching resources. Speaking to local media after the results, Sagar’s mother said she never doubted her son’s determination, and today’s success felt like a reward for their faith.
Sagar chose Public Administration as his optional subject and relied heavily on self-study combined with test series from reputed coaching institutes. He avoided social media during preparation, maintaining a strict routine that balanced study and revision with meditation and walks to manage stress. He said he learned from every failed attempt, carefully analyzing his mistakes and refining his strategy year after year.
He also gave credit to the mentors who guided him throughout the process. Some of them were civil servants themselves, who helped him improve his answer-writing skills and develop a mature outlook on governance issues. He spent hours reading newspapers and editorials to understand multiple perspectives, which he believes played a major role in shaping his thought process and improving his performance in the personality test round.
His success has brought joy not only to his family but also to his alma mater and the civil services coaching community in the northeast. Several coaching centres and educational institutions in Tripura congratulated him for becoming a beacon of hope for many other aspirants in the region. His story is being widely shared on social media, and messages of congratulations poured in from state leaders, former teachers, and peers.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also congratulated Sagar on his success and praised his determination and hard work. In a tweet, the CM expressed hope that his achievement would inspire many more youth from the state to aim for excellence and contribute to the nation’s progress.
Looking ahead, Sagar said he wishes to work in the area of rural development and governance reform. He believes in the importance of transparent systems, accessible public services, and inclusive policies. He said the northeastern states, with their unique challenges and potential, deserve focused attention and a sensitive approach to policymaking.
Sagar hopes that his journey will remind other aspirants that success might take time, but consistency and belief in oneself can overcome even the toughest challenges. With his AIR 317 rank, he is likely to get into the Indian Revenue Service or Indian Police Service, depending on the final allocation. Regardless of the service, he said he looks forward to contributing to the public good and giving back to the society that shaped him.
Sagar’s achievement comes at a time when the representation of northeastern candidates in the UPSC Civil Services Examination remains relatively low. Many experts believe his success could be a turning point in changing perceptions and motivating more students from the region to pursue careers in administration. Educationists in Tripura have often highlighted the need for better mentorship and access to competitive exam guidance. With Sagar’s story gaining attention, stakeholders in the education sector hope it will push policymakers to strengthen UPSC preparation infrastructure across the state.
In recent years, several student bodies and civil society groups in Tripura have been advocating for a dedicated civil services academy to train local aspirants. They argue that talented youth from small towns often lose out due to a lack of exposure, peer networks, and quality coaching. Sagar’s triumph has reignited this demand. Some groups have already called on the state government to recognize his success by involving him in mentoring programmes for future aspirants.
His journey also throws light on the immense psychological pressure that aspirants face while preparing for the UPSC exams. Sagar has openly spoken about moments of self-doubt, burnout, and anxiety. He acknowledged that mental health remains a neglected area in exam preparation circles and urged fellow aspirants to prioritize their well-being. He suggested that regular breaks, peer conversations, and emotional support are just as important as reading books or attending classes.
As Sagar prepares to join the foundation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, he reflects on his journey with gratitude and humility. He expressed a deep sense of responsibility towards the people he aims to serve. For him, clearing the exam is just the beginning of a much larger commitment. He said his purpose lies in making governance more humane, accountable, and citizen-centric.