Most of us believe that cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, a dream of lakhs of aspirants, demands giving up everything else, starting from quitting our jobs, switching off from social life, to devoting every waking moment to books.

But Raju Wagh’s journey challenges this very notion. As a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Commandant posted in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, he was leading life on the frontlines, protecting the nation by day and chasing his civil services dream by night.

The good news? Against all odds, he secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 871 in UPSC 2024.