Hard work and determination really pays off. Amit Pal Sharma of Ludhiana who secured All India Rank 17th in the Civil Services Examination conducted by Union Public Service Commission is a perfect example of it.
A proud father of Amit Pal Sharma, while expressing his feeling said, “I am the luckiest and blessed father on this earth. Both my sons, Amit Pal Sharma and Amarjeeet Sharma have made my dream come true. I have always wanted my one son to be an IPS officer and one to be an IAS officer and today my dream has come true. I could not ask anything more from the Almighty.”
Must Read: Meet Tina Dabi IAS Topper 2015 – 2016
Family Background
Amit Pal Sharma comes from Ludhiana. Amit’s father is a retired Punjabi Lecturer from Government School, Basti Jodhewal, while his mother Prem Sharma is a homemaker and his elder brother Ajay Pal Sharma is an IPS officer, who is presently posted as SSP of Uttar Pradesh.
Amit’s father shared, “Since I have worked in education sector, I want my son to become director general, school education and to upgrade the level of government schools. There are so many problems in the government schools and their educational system regarding teacher and students. I want my son to do something for the development education sector.”
Further, the proud father said, “I have become an IAS officer. I have fulfilled your dream were the words of Amit Pal Sharma when he called his mother first to inform about his all India rank.”
Amit’s mother Prem Sharam said, “My son has never taken any coaching to prepare for UPSC exams. He believes in hard work and was determined towards his dream. My both sons have made me so proud. ”
Also Read: Farah Hussain-2nd Muslim to Clear UPSC Exam from Rajasthan
Educational Background
Amit Pal Sharma did his schooling from RS Model School, Shastri Nagar. After completing his schooling he did MBBS from Government Medical College, Patiala in 2013 and wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps.The inspiration to join the Civil Services came when he was a school student. “It was the guidance of my father, motivation of Amarjit Pal Sharma, his elder brother who also holds MBBS degree and inspiration from school principal Mohal Lal Kalra, because of which I was rightly inclined towards joining Civil Services right from my school days,” Amit Pal Sharma says.
Read Also: Grocer’s Daughter Sweta Agarwal Cracks UPSC Exam
Optional Paper
As his father is a retired Punjabi teacher, Amit Pal Sharma took inspiration from him and opted Punjabi Literature as his optional subject for joining the Civil Services. Another reason for choosing Punjabi Literature as his optional subject was that literature always acquaints with the true and humane face of people and gives you an insight into the minds of people.
“Literature has helped me gain a better understanding of society and also clear my exam apart from clearing the exam with the subject I am passionate about,” Amit Pal Sharma says.
Don’t Miss: Meet Athar Aamir-ul-Shafi Khan IAS, AIR – 2, 2015
Attempts by Amit Pal Sharma
Amit Pal Sharma, who got to 17th this time, is an MBBS doctor and is currently under-training officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) posted at Hyderabad. It was Amit Pal Sharma’s third attempt.
In his first attempt, he had been selected for allied services having secured the 600th rank. But he took another shot at the exam to get to 139th and became an IPS officer. IPS ranked him, but Amit Pal Sharma was not happy. His goal was to become IAS officer. However, to fulfill his dream of becoming an IAS officer, he appeared again and now secured All India Rank 17th.
Have a look: MLA’s Son Dr. Vivek Kumar Cracks UPSC Exam, 2016
Preparation Strategy
Regarding exam preparations, Amit Pal Sharma has to say that one has to be totally self-disciplined in clearing the Civil Services Exam. Self-motivation and self-confidence is the key apart from a regular study of 12 or 16 hours a day and perseverance in cracking the exam. He did not take coaching and relied totally on self-study.
Amit Pal Sharma wanted to become an IAS officer and thus gave the exam again and excelled. He believed in self-study and used to work very hard.
Don’t Miss: Topper’s Story – Prabhjot Singh IAS, AIR – 16, 2010