IAS Success Story: How Surya Pal Gangwar Became Lucknow DM After Failing UPSC Three Times

Lucknow DM, IAS Surya Pal Gangwar: Today, we bring you the inspiring story of Surya Pal Gangwar, the District Magistrate (DM) of Lucknow, the capital of India’s largest state. Born in Bithri village of Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, Gangwar faced numerous challenges from a young age.

Reflecting on his childhood, IAS officer Surya Pal Gangwar recalls that his father was a teacher, and being a teacher’s son had both advantages and disadvantages. According to Gangwar, he had to follow many disciplines and rules at home. However, he appreciated it when his father checked his exam papers.

Early Education and Career

Surya Pal Gangwar completed his education up to class 5 at a private school in Nawabganj. He then got admission to the new Navodaya Vidyalaya in Bareilly, where he continued his studies until class 12. Later, he decided to pursue engineering and got admitted to IIT Roorkee.

Given the financial constraints of his family, Gangwar opted for a job after completing his B.Tech in Industrial Engineering from IIT Roorkee. He landed a job in Kolkata, West Bengal, and worked for companies like Electrical Manufacturing Company Limited (ESC) and Philips India Limited. His corporate career taught him valuable skills in time management and efficient work practices.

The UPSC Journey

In 2003, Gangwar was selected for the position of Engineer at Air India Limited in Delhi. He joined Air India and worked there until 2008. During this period, he also prepared for the UPSC exam. He took his first UPSC attempt in 2004 but did not succeed.

In 2005, he made another attempt but again did not clear the exam. After three consecutive failures, Gangwar finally passed the UPSC exam in 2007, securing a rank of 476. This success led to his selection as an Assistant Commissioner in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). He worked in this role from 2008 to 2009 but continued to strive for IAS.

In 2009, Gangwar took the UPSC exam again and secured an impressive rank of 8, earning his place in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Since 2022, Surya Pal Gangwar has been serving as the DM and Collector of Lucknow. Before his current position, he has served as the DM in several districts, including Hapur, Hathras, Sitapur, Raebareli, Siddharth Nagar, and Firozabad.

Surya Pal Gangwar's journey from repeated failures in the UPSC exams to becoming the DM of Lucknow is a testament to his perseverance and dedication. His story continues to inspire many aspirants who dream of serving the nation through the civil services.