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Lucknow University security guard’s son cracks UPSC

Surya Kant Dwivedi, who is a security guard at University of Lucknow’s works department, could not believe that his son cracked the prestigious UPSC exams and may become an Indian Police Service officer.

Updated on: May 11, 2016, 16:18:14 IST
Hindustan Times, Lucknow | By
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It took Lucknow’s Kuldeep Dwivedi nearly 30 minutes to explain to his father what it meant to score the 242nd rank in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Lucknow’s Kuldeep Dwivedi has got 242nd rank in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. (Handout image)
Lucknow’s Kuldeep Dwivedi has got 242nd rank in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. (Handout image)

Surya Kant Dwivedi, who is a security guard at University of Lucknow’s works department, could not believe that his son cracked the prestigious UPSC exams and may become an Indian Police Service officer.

“They do not understand what IPS is all about. They just think that a sub-inspector is the most powerful person in the police department. I had to tell them that after completion of training I will be posted as assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in some district. And when they realised that I have now become an officer. There was complete silence. Tears rolled out from their eyes,” Kuldeep, whose mother is a homemaker, told HT.

Read more: Meet Varanasi’s Artika Shukla who bagged 4th rank in IAS exam

Kuldeep, youngest among three brothers and a sister, wanted to become civil servant since he was a child.

“Since my childhood days, I have seen the amount of power a district collector or SSP of a particular district enjoys. It always inspired me. I always wanted to become like that. It was always there in the back of my mind. I had cracked few other examinations in the past but did not join because I wanted to crack the civil service examination,” the 27-year-old said.

Kuldeep, a post graduate from Allahabad, says the most difficult time that he faced was after he failed to crack the exam in his first two attempts. In 2013, he was selected as an assistant commandant in the Border Security Force but he did not join the training.

Read more: UPSC results 2015: Bengal has a reason to smile, courtesy Sweta

“I was determined that somehow I will have to crack the UPSC examination with a good rank. I kept myself engaged in academics. Luckily the family never troubled me in my pursuit. I’m now all ready to don the uniform and work for country’s development,” Kuldeep, a book lover, said.

Surya Kant was on duty when Kuldeep’s brother called him to give him the news.

“I shared the news with other security guards of the university and went straight home. I cannot thank God more. We have seen difficult times. Now it is for him to change family fortunes. I’m proud that my hard earned money did not go waste,” said the proud father.

Tens of thousands of students across the country prepare for years for the UPSC exams to get into the administrative, foreign, police and other central government services. The results are based on scores in a written examination and interview.

Tina Dabi, a 22-year-old woman from Delhi, topped the exam on her first attempt and Athar Aamir ul Shafi Khan, a railway officer from Jammu and Kashmir, secured the second position as the results of one of India’s toughest tests was announced on Tuesday.

A total of 1,078 candidates cleared the exam -- 499 from the general category, 314 from the Other Backward Classes, 176 from the Scheduled Castes and 89 from the Scheduled Tribes.

  • Rajeev Mullick
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Rajeev Mullick

    Rajeev Mullick, Assistant Editor, is a Lucknow-based journalist with over 26 years of experience covering governance, public policy and administration in Uttar Pradesh. His reporting focuses on the district administration, the Divisional Commissioner's Office, the Regional Meteorological Centre, and government policies relating to technical, higher, secondary and primary education. Known for impactful public-interest journalism, his investigations have led to significant policy attention, including a report on deficiencies in a state-run school footwear distribution scheme that prompted widespread national coverage and High Court intervention. He broke the story on the Uttar Pradesh government's One District One Cuisine initiative, highlighting the inclusion of sweets and the exclusion of non-vegetarian dishes, triggering widespread public debate. He covered Mahakumbh 2025 at Prayagraj, reports on the event's administrative, logistical and civic dimensions. From 2012 to 2024, he headed the Lucknow City Bureau, leading coverage of the state's administrative and civic developments while mentoring young reporters. He loves to travel, listen to music. He is fond of eating good food both veg and non veg. He has travelled to several states like West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Family Nadu, Kerela, Bihar, Jharkhand and home state UP.Read More