“It was like a dream to become a bureaucrat, an IAS Officer from the childhood.But my parents,father being also a Govt. servant in a small place in a big district in the middle of West Bengal, did not have a remotest idea what to start with and how to start.They, as other parents, had just one thought that their only child should be doing something good.

Topping the school there I came to Kolkata just to find that the life is very fast here and competition is very tough.By the time I reached Kolkata, students here already covered 25% of syllabus and it was just beginning of the session. I tried to cope up but lagged behind.

Then joined one of the most prestigious college in Kolkata with major in a science subject. It was a English Medium college , so again struggled with my studies but secured only 50% marks in all total and 40% in honours subject.Though I cleared all India entrance for Computer studies , lower marks in graduation stopped me from joining a good institute.My education stopped there.

BUT GOD HAD ANOTHER PLAN FOR ME.

I jumped wholeheartedly to the sea of students who were trying to pass IAS exam at Delhi.The parents had nothing else to do except supporting me.

I started to work hard with the help of one our family’s most educated person who suggested me about the preparation, choosing optional subjects etc. which was actually a wrong strategy. But when I realized that I had exhausted the money I had for my preparation and lost two precious attempts.

Then left with two more attempts I started to buy basic books with small money I was left with and with the knowledge of strategy I gathered in last two years.Then I moved forward very fast but again failed.

Then I started to move towards WBCS (Exe.) Etc. Exam and with the knowledge I gathered there in Delhi and worked very very hard , almost 12 hours per day without any socialization or recreation except some leisure time that too with books.

The parents , till that time, had supported me without telling me anything and suppressing the anxiety they had about me. They provided all necessary help to me along with my GOD gifted special friend who later become my life partner.

After many months of struggle I appeared and cleared Prelims, Mains and thereafter appeared for interview.By that time I was in clerical job. But I succeeded that time in Group A. Thanks to the ALMIGHTY,MY PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND ALL WELL WISHERS. SUCCESS came at the time when I was thinking why can’t I succeed. What was the problem in me? Should I quit?

But I never gave up. I continued my struggle and continued my studies. People used to taunt me, my close relatives tried to demotivate me but I did not pay heed to them. I tried and ultimately succeeded in W.B.C.S. Group A service ,one of the most prestigious service in any Govt. organisation.

This struggle made me stronger, and happier and made me ready to shoulder the responsibility of being a WBCS Officer , a bureaucrat.

But I tell this story not to jolt you – I tell it because I want to tell each one of you to never stop aspiring and never give up.

Later I completed the Higher education in Computer Application and management along with my official responsibilities because by that time my past struggle helped me realize and unlock my true potential.

Actually the preparation for Civil Service is itself an exam. Few can tolerate the grueling hard work to prepare for it and they only proceed to take exam, others fail to cope up with the demands of the preparation.

Best of luck guys.”

– Anonymous
WBCS Gr A
20XX Batch.
Now posted in Malda Division.

(This is a sample story. We ask all officers to come forward and write about that side of the story which you don’t want to open up, generally. It will definitely help future WBCS aspirants and motivate them.Do not forget to give your photo).