UPSC Success Story: From 34% In Class 11 And 24 Engineering Backlogs To IPS; Know Sameer Sharma’s Journey | Education and Career News
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UPSC Success Story: From poor school grades and 24 engineering backlogs to becoming an IPS officer, his journey serves as a reminder that setbacks are temporary.

IPS officer Sameer Sharma secured AIR 182 in UPSC. (Instagram/sameer.ips.one)
IPS officer Sameer Sharma’s journey proves that academic setbacks do not define a person’s future. Despite scoring just 57% in Class 10th, 34% in Class 11, and accumulating 24 backlogs during his engineering studies, he went on to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination after just 18 months of preparation. Although he improved to around 60% in Class 12, very few people would have imagined that he would one day become an IPS officer.
After completing school, Sameer enrolled in a B.Tech programme. Instead of being a fresh start, engineering turned into one of the most difficult phases of his life. He accumulated 24 backlogs during the course of his degree—something that often causes students to lose confidence and question their future. Many people doubted him, but Sameer refused to let those setbacks define his potential.
Cracking UPSC in Just 18 Months
Determined to change the course of his life, Sameer Sharma began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination with complete focus and discipline. Through consistent hard work and dedication, he cleared the exam in just 18 months. He secured All India Rank (AIR) 182 and joined the Indian Police Service as part of the 2011 AGMUT cadre.
His achievement became an example of how persistence can outweigh an ordinary academic record. Rather than hiding these failures, he uses them to motivate students who believe their poor academic performance has closed the door to success.
After joining the IPS, he served in several important positions in the Delhi Police, including the role of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Additional DCP). He is widely recognised as a dedicated and disciplined officer.
One of the defining aspects of Sameer Sharma’s journey is that he never compared himself with others. He never allowed himself to feel inferior because of students from prestigious institutions or stronger academic backgrounds. Instead, he focused on improving himself step by step and remained committed to his goal.
According to Sharma, success begins when a person overcomes fear and self-doubt. He believes that many aspirants make the mistake of comparing their own starting point with someone else’s success story, even though every individual’s journey is different. His advice to young people is simple: stay focused on your goal, keep working consistently, and don’t wait for the “perfect” time to begin.
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