From Electrical Engineer to UPSC Rank 744: Manish Kumar with Law Optional
- Admin
- 23 hours ago
- 6 min read
Every year thousands of aspirants attempt the Civil Services Examination, but only a few make it to the final list. Among them, some journeys stand out not just because of success but because of the resilience and unconventional paths taken.
One such inspiring story is that of Manish Kumar, an electrical engineering graduate who cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination and secured Rank 744, despite not having a background in law while choosing Law as his optional subject.
His journey is a powerful reminder that persistence, strategy, and self-belief can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
Early Life and Background
Manish Kumar was born and brought up in Delhi, where he completed his schooling and higher education. He studied at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, President Estate, New Delhi, where he performed exceptionally well academically.
His excellence in academics was recognized when he received the Indira Award in Class 12 for securing first position in academics in Zone 26 of Delhi.
Manish later pursued B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra.
Despite his engineering background, his aspirations gradually shifted towards public service and administration.
Professional Experience Before UPSC
Before fully committing to the UPSC journey, Manish worked in the private sector.
He started his career as an Assistant Manager at Emerson Network Power India Pvt. Ltd., where he worked from 2013 to 2016.
However, the desire to contribute to governance and policy eventually drew him towards the Civil Services Examination.
After years of preparation, he later joined the Sports Authority of India as an Assistant Director, gaining valuable administrative exposure while continuing his UPSC preparation.
This combination of professional experience and persistence played a significant role in shaping his administrative perspective.
The Family That Shaped His Values
Manish comes from a humble family background.
His father, Ganesh Pandit, worked in the Horticulture Division of CPWD under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, starting his career as a Mali through direct recruitment in 1981 and later retiring after years of service.
His mother, Usha Devi, is a homemaker who has been a pillar of support throughout his journey.
The family's roots trace back to Bihar, with his father originally from Muzaffarpur and his mother from Begusarai.
Growing up in a modest household instilled in him discipline, resilience, and a strong appreciation for public service.
The UPSC Journey: Five Interviews and Unwavering Persistence
Manish’s UPSC journey was not a straight path to success.
In fact, he appeared for the UPSC Personality Test five times before finally securing a place in the final list.
At one stage, he missed the final selection by just a few marks. But instead of giving up, he kept improving his strategy and preparation.
This persistence eventually paid off when he secured Rank 744 in the Civil Services Examination.
His story perfectly illustrates one of the most important lessons in UPSC preparation: consistency matters more than immediate success.
Cracking Prelims Multiple Times: The Power of Revision
One of Manish’s remarkable achievements is that he cleared the Preliminary Examination multiple times.
According to him, the secret behind this consistency lies in revision and test practice.
He emphasizes that most aspirants read the same books and notes, so the real difference lies in how effectively one revises and remembers facts.
His approach included:
Attempting a large number of MCQ test series
Revising every test three to four times
Analyzing mistakes carefully
Improving speed and accuracy for the exam
This method helped him internalize information and develop confidence during the actual examination.
As he puts it, clearing prelims is less about studying new material and more about revisiting and reinforcing what you already know.
Choosing Law Optional Without a Law Background
One of the most unique aspects of Manish’s journey is his choice of Law as an optional subject, despite being an engineering graduate.
Typically, over 90% of candidates choosing law optional are law graduates, which makes his decision even more unusual.
So why did he choose law?
For Manish, the answer was simple: interest and relevance.
He found the syllabus fascinating because it covered areas like:
Constitutional law
International law
Indian Penal Code
Legal doctrines
He realized that law provided a deeper understanding of governance, policy, and constitutional values.
Moreover, studying law also helped him in General Studies Paper II, which deals with polity and governance.
Although the initial learning curve was steep, consistent effort and guidance helped him bridge the gap between law graduates and non-law candidates.
Key Sources for Law Optional Preparation
Manish followed a structured and limited set of sources for his preparation.
His main sources included:
Institute notes
Standard law textbooks
Legal news platforms like LiveLaw and Bar & Bench
Test series and answer writing practice
The legal news platforms helped him stay updated with recent case laws and developments, which are extremely important for law optional.
Another critical aspect was building a strong repository of case laws, which enriched his answers in the mains examination.
Tackling Difficult Areas like CLD
One of the toughest sections of law optional is Constitutional and Legal Developments (CLD).
The challenge with CLD is that it is open-ended and heavily influenced by current events.
Manish tackled this by:
Creating structured notes
Regularly updating them with current legal developments
Following important court judgments
Tracking legislative changes
This dynamic approach helped him stay relevant and prepared for unpredictable questions.
Preparing for the UPSC Interview
The UPSC Personality Test is designed to evaluate a candidate’s personality, analytical ability, and awareness.
In Manish’s case, the interview panel asked questions from multiple domains:
His Detailed Application Form (DAF)
NCC experience
Environmental law and legal doctrines
Recent criminal law reforms
International relations and global developments
For instance, one question asked whether NCC should be made compulsory in schools.
Another question explored the Doctrine of Public Trust in environmental law.
There were also questions on recent criminal law reforms and global developments in international law.
This wide-ranging discussion demonstrated how UPSC interviews test both depth and breadth of knowledge.
How the DAF Shapes the Interview
The Detailed Application Form plays a crucial role in shaping the interview conversation.
In Manish’s case, the panel drew questions from several aspects of his DAF:
His NCC participation
His hobbies such as playing guitar and rooftop gardening
His educational background
His professional experience
For example, his NCC certificates (A, B, and C) and leadership roles in school became a basis for questions about discipline and youth training. DAF-II
This highlights the importance of carefully filling the DAF, as every detail can become a potential interview question.
A Strategy for Non-Law Candidates Choosing Law Optional
Manish also shared valuable advice for aspirants from non-law backgrounds who wish to choose law optional.
According to him, three steps are essential:
1. Join a Good Guidance Program
Law is a technical and conceptual subject, so structured teaching can help build clarity and save time.
2. Make Short Notes
The law syllabus is vast, so creating concise handwritten notes is essential for revision.
These notes should be:
Organized topic-wise
Updated with case laws
Revised frequently
3. Practice Through Test Series
Regular answer writing practice and expert feedback are crucial to improving answer quality.
These three elements together create a strong preparation framework.
Using AI in UPSC Preparation
Manish also experimented with modern tools like AI platforms such as Gemini.
However, he used them in a limited and strategic way.
Instead of relying entirely on AI, he used it mainly to:
Summarize current affairs
Collect recent case laws
Generate additional content for notes
He believes the core preparation still relies on traditional methods like writing and revising notes.
According to him, since the UPSC mains exam is handwritten, practicing writing regularly remains essential.
The Importance of Handwritten Notes
Manish strongly advocates for handwritten notes.
Writing regularly helps with:
Better retention
Faster recall during exams
Improved writing speed
Clearer answer structure
He believes that the physical act of writing strengthens memory and makes concepts easier to recall during the exam.
Life Beyond Preparation
Beyond academics, Manish also maintained interests that helped him stay balanced.
His hobbies include:
Playing guitar
Rooftop gardening DAF-II
Such activities play an important role in maintaining mental well-being during the long and demanding UPSC preparation journey.
Lessons from Journey
Manish Kumar’s story offers several powerful lessons for aspirants.
Persistence Matters
Appearing for the interview five times requires immense patience and determination.
Strategy Is More Important Than Hard Work Alone
Revision, test series, and structured preparation played a key role in his success.
Background Does Not Limit You
Even without a law degree, he successfully mastered law optional.
Adapt but Stay Grounded
He used modern tools like AI, but relied primarily on traditional preparation methods.
The journey of Manish Kumar from an engineering graduate to a UPSC rank holder is a story of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic preparation.
His success proves that the UPSC examination is not about academic background but about consistent effort, clarity of strategy, and resilience in the face of setbacks.
For aspirants preparing today, his story serves as both inspiration and guidance.
The path to the Civil Services may be long and demanding, but with the right mindset and preparation, success is always within reach.
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