From IIT To ISRO To UPSC: Meet Wheelchair-bound Scientist Who Cracked Civil Services Exam

Ever since the UPSC results have been declared, newspapers are riddled with inspiring stories of young men and women who have appeared in the list of toppers.

One such story is of a Kartik Kansal, a wheelchair-bound Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist who appeared for the UPSC civil services examination 2021 and secured Rank 271.

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The 25-year-old scientist and a resident of Roorkee, Kartik explained how he managed to follow a strict regime to reach his zenith with his job at the ISRO. "Since I had nine hours working on weekdays, I used to manage the studies accordingly. During weekdays, I used to wake up at 6 am, study till 8 am and then get ready and leave for the office. After returning from the office around 6:30 pm, I used to study till 11 pm. During weekends, I used to devote more time," he said.

His struggles

But, it hasn't been all that easy for Kartik. Kartik was eight years old when he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a disorder that progressively stops the functioning of the limbs. Thereafter, he focused on therapy and yoga to lessen the progression of the disorder.

But physical weakness did not deter him from strengthening his willpower. He worked hard and secured a rank in the civil service examination.

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After graduating from IIT Roorkee in 2018, Kansal cleared several examinations, including the GATE and Union Public Service Commission Engineering Services Exam but wasn't able to get a placement due to his physical disability.

Recalling the incident, he told India Today, "I did good in the prelims of the engineering services exam but when the list for the mains examination came, I got to know that I wasn't eligible for any of the posts due to my condition. It was a difficult phase for me. Mentally, I was prepared, but what can I do about my physical condition? My whole world was shattered."

He revealed that the rejection from engineering services inspired him to pursue civil services and bring changes in the policy. He wanted to be the one that brought change and provide accessibility to students who were limited due to any sort of disability.

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Turned rejection into inspiration

Kansal appeared thrice for the civil service examination. In his first attempt in 2019, he managed to secure 813th rank. Though he was getting a decent post, he wanted to improve his marks and get an administrative post.

In 2020, he again appeared for the UPSC civil service examinations, and managed to crack the prelims but failed to secure a rank after the mains. But this failure only motivated him to work hard and get a desirable rank. Despite having issues with writing, he practiced every day for the written examination.

While talking to India Today, Kansal revealed that his mother, Mamta Gupta, had always been his greatest support since childhood. He said that it was because of her willpower that Kansal had been able to achieve his dreams while fighting all the odds.

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Meanwhile, his father, LC Gupta, who works in the Revenue Department, and brother Varun Kansal have also been a pillar for him.

Kansal, who is currently working at ISRO in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, is hopeful to get into administrative services or revenue services. Reportedly, the service allotment list is yet to come.

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