Rather of focusing on Prelims preparation, he finished the Mains course first. He finished 80% of the Prelims syllabus in this way. He read the Class 6–12 NCERT texts with diligence as well.
IAS Manoj Kumar Rai’s story is a prime example of the proverb “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Coming from lowly beginnings, he triumphed against extreme poverty and obstacles to become a successful civil servant.
Rai used to have to rely on selling eggs and mopping floors to make ends meet. Still, he worked nonstop, driven by tenacity and will. His perseverance eventually paid off when he passed the UPSC exam. He now gives back by providing free IAS tutoring to those from low-income backgrounds who want to work in the civil service.
Originating from the tiny Bihar town of Supaul, Rai experienced extreme poverty and hardship at an early age. In spite of all the obstacles, he finished school and then moved to Delhi to help his family.
For Rai, moving from the rural to the busy metropolis of Delhi has its own set of difficulties. Still, he persisted, attempting a variety of professions. Rai persevered in the face of early disappointments, such as botched business endeavors and strange professions like selling eggs and veggies. His interactions with students at Jawaharlal Nehru University inspired him to seek higher education and aim for a job in the civil services, which ultimately led to a transforming desire.
Rai worked odd jobs and studied part-time to get ready for the UPSC exam. He was faced with both resource and financial limits, but he never wavered in his objective. Following a number of fruitless tries, Rai took a calculated approach, carefully going over the curriculum and solidifying his core knowledge. His perseverance paid off in 2010 when he eventually passed the UPSC exam and achieved an impressive All India Rank of 870.
Motivated by his personal hardships, Rai made the decision to offer free tutoring to underprivileged pupils, mirroring his own path from hardship to success.
