Meet man who gave up US job with Rs 50 lakh salary for UPSC dream, cracked in 1st attempt to join...

Despite the private sector offering lucrative salaries in today’s age, prestigious civil servant jobs still remain the preferred choice for lakhs of young Indian professionals. Cracking the tough UPSC CSE exam is no mean feat, and certainly a risky move if you are well placed in life but are ready to give it all up for the IAS or IPS tag. Once such remarkable story is that of Santosh Kumar Mishra, a techie turned IPS officer.  

Mishra was born in Bihar capital Patna. His father served as an Army officer while his mother a homemaker. Mishra earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pune and then landed a high-paying foreign job. He worked in Europe and the US and commanded a handsome salary of Rs 50 lakh. But Mishra wasn’t satisfied and found his true calling in civil services. 

After around three years, he decided to quit the lucrative job and return to India in order to pursue the UPSC dream, a risky move which wasn’t guaranteed to pay off.  He is one of the minor lot of aspirants who ended up cracking one of the country’s toughest exams without any formal coaching and self-preparation.  

Mishra’s name appeared on the shortlist in 2012 as he tasted success in his first attempt. He joined the Indian Police Services (IPS). He has served in different posts including Superintendent of Police in UP’s Amroha district and Gonda district. He currently serves as SP (Crime) at DGP Headquarters.