With courage, passion, and confidence, a person can achieve anything. IAS officer Varun Baranwal is a living example of this. Hailing from the small town of Boisar in Maharashtra, Baranwal once ran a puncture shop to earn a living for himself and his family. But through his hard work and passion, he has become an IAS officer. (Image: BaranwalVarun/X)
Varun Baranwal’s father repaired bicycles, which provided for their daily bread and butter. However, his untimely death in 2006 left the family facing a financial crisis. This responsibility fell on Baranwal’s shoulders and he had to take over his father’s bicycle repair shop for a living. (Image: BaranwalVarun/X)
He passed the 10th grade, securing second place in the city. However, instead of enrolling in Intermediate for further studies, Baranwal spent his days and nights repairing bicycle punctures. Although he wanted to continue his education after the 10th grade, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing Intermediate. (Image: varun_baranwal_ias/Instagram)
However, Baranwal topped class 10. Seeing his dedication, an acquaintance, Dr. Kampli, secured his college admission. Thus, Baranwal was able to resume his studies. “I never spent a single rupee on my studies. Someone or the other paid for my books, forms, and fees. My doctor paid my initial fees, but after that, I was worried about how I would pay the monthly school fees,” he said. (Image: BaranwalVarun/X)
Baranwal initially sought admission to medical college after completing his 12th grade. However, due to the high fees, he decided to switch to engineering. He was accepted into MIT College in Pune. Struggling to pay his college fees, he attended classes during the day, and repaired bicycles in the evenings, as well as provided tuition. Remarkably, he topped his first semester of engineering. Following this achievement, the college awarded him a scholarship. (Image: varun_baranwal_ias/Instagram)
After completing his engineering studies, he secured a job with a multinational company. While his family wanted him to stay with the MNC, he aspired to take the Civil Services exam. Eventually, an NGO came to his aid, providing him with the necessary books. In 2016, he successfully qualified for the IAS, achieving an all-India rank of 32. (Image: BaranwalVarun/X)
Varun Baranwal’s inspiring journey from modest beginnings to becoming an IAS officer highlights the transformative power of perseverance, passion, and unwavering belief. Despite financial challenges and personal sacrifices, his indomitable spirit and commitment to education have made him a shining example for aspiring civil servants and those facing adversity. (Image: BaranwalVarun/X)
