28-year-old Sagar Datta Majumdar from Tripura has proved that perseverance, patience, and unwavering determination are equally powerful markers of greatness. After seven unsuccessful attempts, Sagar cracked the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination in 2024, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 317. His journey is not just a tale of academic achievement but an inspirational testament to the power of not giving up.
Roots in the Northeast, Eyes on the Nation
Hailing from Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, Sagar grew up in a modest middle-class Bengali family. His father, a retired school teacher, and mother, a homemaker, instilled in him the value of education early on. Sagar completed his schooling at a local CBSE-affiliated school and later pursued a degree in Political Science from Delhi University.
His inclination towards civil services developed during his undergraduate days, particularly inspired by the idea of serving people and shaping policy at the grassroots. But the path that lay ahead was anything but smooth.
The Long Road: Seven Failures, One Dream
Sagar’s UPSC journey began in 2016, shortly after completing his graduation. While many aspirants aim to crack the exam in one or two attempts, Sagar’s story was built on resilience. From prelims failures to falling short in mains and interviews, he faced almost every setback an aspirant dreads.
“There were times when I doubted everything—my methods, my capability, and even the dream itself,” Sagar said in an interview following the results. “But each failure was a stepping stone. I knew I couldn’t stop until I gave it my best.”
During these years, he juggled part-time jobs, including tutoring students and content writing, to support himself financially while preparing in Delhi. With every attempt, he refined his strategies, took feedback seriously, and learned to manage both academic and emotional stress.
The Breakthrough in the 8th Attempt
In his eighth attempt in 2024, Sagar finally cracked the code. What changed?
“A lot of self-reflection,” he explained. “This time, I focused more on answer writing, revised my optional subject—Anthropology—with fresh notes, and took mock interviews seriously.”
He also credits meditation and daily journaling as vital tools that helped him stay calm and focused throughout the intense preparation period. Importantly, he remained connected with a small circle of friends and mentors who encouraged him even in his darkest phases.
A Message for Aspirants
Sagar’s success is not just his alone—it reverberates across Tripura, where success in UPSC remains a rarity due to limited access to elite coaching and exposure. He now hopes to mentor aspiring civil servants from the Northeast and plans to collaborate with local institutions to provide guidance and materials to those who can’t afford expensive coaching.
“Coming from a small state should never feel like a disadvantage,” he emphasized. “Talent is everywhere. What we need is opportunity and belief.”
The Road Ahead
With an AIR of 317, Sagar is expected to join the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) or Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), though he still harbors hopes of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through promotion or future opportunities.
For now, his achievement stands as a powerful story of resilience and grit. It reminds us that success does not always arrive on the first knock—it sometimes takes years of knocking on closed doors before one finally opens.
As Sagar puts it, “The journey was long, but every moment was worth it. If you truly believe in your dream, keep walking. Even if the world stops, don’t stop believing.”