Meet Suraj Tiwari: Lost Both Legs and an Arm, Faced Poverty, Yet Cleared UPSC with AIR…

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Great achievements are built slowly, through constant effort and determination. Suraj Tiwari, who lost a hand, both legs, and three fingers on his left hand in a train accident, pushed through unbearable pain and countless challenges. With his strong will and dedication, he transformed his life and became a powerful inspiration for young people across the country.

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Suraj Tiwari comes from the Gharnaazpur area in Kurauli Tehsil of Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh. He began his schooling at Maharshi Parshuram School in his hometown. In 2011, he completed his Class 10 from SBRL Inter College, Mainpuri, and in 2014, he finished his Class 12 from Sampurnanand Inter College in Arm Sarai, Bewar. Suraj’s father worked as a tailor and ran a small shop in Kurauli to help support the family.

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Suraj went through a very difficult time on January 24, 2017. He was in a train accident in Dadri, Ghaziabad, where he lost both his legs, one hand, and two fingers on the other hand. He spent many months in the hospital and had to stay in bed for three months after coming home.

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A few months later, he also lost his brother. Even after facing so much pain, Suraj managed to rebuild his life and support his family. In 2018, he moved to Delhi and started his BA at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He completed his BA in 2021 and then applied for his MA.

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The UPSC Civil Services Exam is known as one of the toughest exams in the country. Even then, Suraj was set on clearing it. Knowing the challenges ahead, he pushed himself to study 15–17 hours every day. On the exam day, he reached the centre in a wheelchair, without any coaching or special guidance—only his determination and hard work helped him move forward.

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Suraj Tiwari cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2022, filling his family with joy and pride. His relatives and neighbours celebrated by sharing sweets. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also congratulated Suraj and his family through a tweet.

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In the 2022 UPSC exam, Suraj secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 917. With this rank, he was selected for the Indian Information Service (IIS) and now serves as an IIS officer. His journey shows how a person can follow their dreams even in the toughest situations, and his story inspires countless young people to keep working toward their goals.