Rahul Bagaria’s Journey to the Indian Statistical Service: A Tale of Perseverance, Resilience, and Triumph

May 8, 2024

3 Minutes

Early Beginnings: A Humble Origin and Educational Challenges

Rahul Bagaria’s journey to the prestigious Indian Statistical Service (ISS) began in a modest village within the Sikar district of Rajasthan. Growing up in a joint family, he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by his father, who worked tirelessly as a laborer in Surat. His secondary and higher secondary education at the district school provided limited opportunities for academic growth.

Despite these circumstances, upon graduating from 12th grade, Rahul resolved to pursue higher studies and enrolled in Hansraj College, Delhi University, for Chemistry Honors. However, the transition to English medium education and the financial constraints he faced made his journey through the program exceptionally challenging.

Embracing Statistics: A Newfound Interest

Despite his initial struggles in Chemistry Honors, Rahul managed to secure a respectable 8 CGPA in three consecutive semesters. This gave him a glimmer of hope that he could succeed in higher education. During this time, he discovered the discipline of statistics, and his interest grew. Recognizing his aptitude for the subject, he decided to leave Hansraj College and enroll in Pandit Deen dayal University of Sikar for a Bachelor of Science in Statistics.

This was a bold move, as Rahul became the sole student pursuing a degree in statistics across all three district universities. His initial struggles continued as he adjusted to the rigors of studying statistics alone. However, by his second year, his understanding of the subject had significantly improved. Encouraged by this progress, he applied for admission to Ramjas College, University of Delhi, for Statistics Honors.

Refining Skills: Academic Success and Confidence Boost

At Ramjas College, Rahul benefited from improved financial conditions and an enhanced English language proficiency. He focused diligently on his studies and achieved an impressive 8 CGPA in three consecutive semesters. This boosted his confidence and motivated him to pursue further education in statistics.

In his third year, Rahul considered preparing for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exam. However, his family expressed concerns about his lack of corporate experience and suggested that he focus on government service instead.

A Path to Government Service: Following Advice and Embracing a New Goal

Respecting his family’s advice, Rahul began preparing for the ISS examination. He took a calculated risk and decided to start his preparation early, despite not having a thorough understanding of all the statistics topics required for MSc level studies. This decision proved somewhat beneficial as it gave him an early advantage in the IIT Exam preparation.

First Attempt and Lessons Learned: Setbacks and Strategic Adjustments

Rahul’s preparation for the MSc entrance exam at DU was aided by his previous coursework in the subject. He also managed to prepare for the ISS examination simultaneously. However, a personal emergency forced him to return home, disrupting his studies for two to three months.

Despite these setbacks, Rahul relocated to Jaipur and resumed his preparation in earnest. He gave the 2020 ISS attempt but was not selected. A thorough analysis of his exam performance revealed areas where he needed improvement. He identified the topics that needed more attention and adjusted his strategy accordingly.

COVID Curse and a Costly Mistake: Challenges and Missed Opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns posed further challenges. In the midst of it all, Rahul tested positive for the virus, which significantly impacted his health and studies.

To make matters worse, he made a critical mistake while filling out the exam form. He accidentally selected the IES (Indian Engineering Service) button instead of the ISS button. This oversight prevented him from taking the exam that year, a devastating blow after two years of preparation.

Rediscovering Resolve: Resilience and Renewed Determination

The disappointment of missing the exam was immense, but Rahul refused to give up. He decided to dedicate the next year to preparing for the 2022 ISS attempt. To ensure consistency and regularity, he joined a data analyst program in Gurgaon. His preparation progressed smoothly until February-March 2022, when COVID-19 struck again.

Focus and Resilience: Embracing Challenges and Aiming High

Undeterred, Rahul resumed his preparation with renewed determination. He had a clear understanding of the syllabus and a solid grasp of the high-scoring topics in the statistics paper. He aimed to cover more than 99% of the syllabus, ensuring that he could answer almost every easy question.

Multiple Exam Attempts: Broadening Opportunities

In addition to the ISS, Rahul also applied for various other examinations, including the RBI exam, the Statistics Assistant exam, and the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) exams. He pursued a Master’s in Humanities and Development (HD) from Rajasthan University to enhance his knowledge and skills.

The Interview: Confidence and Apprehension

Rahul attended the ISS interview with a blend of confidence and apprehension. He prepared extensively for the major topics, including civil status, economics, and statistics. He also focused on improving his English speaking skills.

A Dream Fulfilled: Hard Work and Perseverance Rewarded

Rahul’s hard work and dedication paid off when he was offered the 17th rank in the final ISS selection. He was overjoyed and proud of his accomplishment, which was a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.

Key Takeaways: Lessons from a Triumphant Journey

Rahul’s journey to the Indian Statistical Service has taught him several invaluable lessons:

1. Consistency is Key: Maintain consistency throughout your preparation. Don’t wait for exam results to start preparing for the next one.
2. Clear Direction: Set clear goals and make informed decisions to align your actions with your aspirations.
3. Hard Work Pays Off: Success requires relentless hard work and dedication. Embrace the challenges, stay focused, and never give up on your dreams.