In a remarkable turnaround, 26-year-old Dhirendra Kumar of Chitrauli village in Muzaffarpur district has secured the post of District Youth Officer in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. His appointment comes through the UPSC Pratibha Portal, an initiative designed to offer career opportunities to candidates who clear the interview stage of various UPSC examinations but do not make the final merit list.
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Early Life and Academic Journey
Dhirendra, also known as Dheeraj, was born into a farming family. His father, the late Brajkishore Rai, and mother, Krishna Devi, supported his education despite limited resources. To fund his schooling, the family sold a portion of their land—a sacrifice that Dhirendra says continues to inspire him: “When my family gave up everything for my education, I knew I had to achieve something great”.
He completed his primary education at the government middle school in Chitrauli and his secondary schooling at the high school in Maniyari, Muzaffarpur, where he consistently ranked among the top five students in district examinations. His academic excellence earned him admission to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, where he completed both a BTech and an MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering. He is currently pursuing a PhD in International Relations at JNU’s School of International Studies.
UPSC Aspirations and Interview Setback
Dhirendra began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination alongside his engineering studies, driven by a lifelong ambition to become an IAS officer. Reaching the interview stage itself is considered a significant achievement, but like thousands of aspirants, he narrowly missed final selection. Instead of viewing this as a dead end, Dhirendra found new hope through the Pratibha Portal, launched by UPSC in 2023 to leverage the talent of non-recommended candidates.
Selection via Pratibha Portal
Under the Pratibha Setu Scheme, UPSC shares profiles of candidates who clear interviews but fail to secure a position. Registered government and private organizations can then recruit from this talent pool. Dhirendra’s credentials—JNU degrees, PhD research, and his UPSC interview qualification—caught the attention of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which hired him as a District Youth Officer.
Personal Motivation and Family Support
Dhirendra credits his late father’s motivation and his mother’s encouragement for his resilience during difficult times. “When I lost my father in June, I was preparing for my PhD exams. It was an extremely challenging period, but my mother’s support gave me strength,” he recalls. He dedicates his success to his parents and five siblings, urging fellow students to remain steadfast: “No matter how tough circumstances are, sincere hard work and clear goals will eventually bear fruit”.
Although now a District Youth Officer, Dhirendra’s dream of becoming an IAS officer remains alive. He continues UPSC preparation alongside his official duties and PhD research. “This role allows me to serve my community immediately, while I work toward my long-term goal of civil service,” he explains.
By transforming a UPSC interview setback into a pathway to public service, Dhirendra Kumar exemplifies perseverance and the positive impact of the Pratibha Portal in channeling talented youth into meaningful careers.
