Friendship isn’t just about spending time together, it’s about growing together, dreaming big, and helping each other through the toughest challenges. This is the inspiring story of IPS Saad Miyan Khan, IAS Vishal Mishra, and IAS Gaurav Vijayram, three friends who supported and motivated each other through thick and thin to conquer one of the toughest exams in India: the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The journey started in HBTU Kanpur, where Saad Miyan Khan from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, met Vishal Mishra, who hails from Uttarakhand. Both were pursuing their BTech, and later, they went on to complete their MTech from IIT Kanpur. It was during this academic phase that Saad began preparing for the UPSC, sparking a common ambition between the two.
After completing their MTech, Saad and Vishal moved to Delhi to begin their serious UPSC preparation. There, they met Gaurav Vijayram. With shared goals and a similar mindset, the trio quickly developed a strong bond. They weren’t just reading books together, they were sharing ideas, solving doubts, boosting each other's morale, and keeping each other motivated through the highs and lows of preparation.
Saad’s journey wasn’t easy. He began attempting the UPSC in 2013, but success came only in his fifth attempt in 2017, when he secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 25. Interestingly, despite qualifying for IAS, he chose IPS as his preferred service because of his passion for maintaining law and order in society.
Gaurav faced setbacks in his first two UPSC attempts. In interviews, he openly admitted that his initial preparation wasn’t up to the mark. But he didn’t give up. He bounced back with stronger dedication and cracked the exam in his fourth attempt, achieving an impressive AIR 34 and securing a place in the IAS.
Vishal Mishra remained consistent in his efforts after completing MTech. With a mix of smart planning and hard work, he cleared UPSC in 2017, securing AIR 49. His focused strategy and steady dedication helped him join the prestigious Indian Administrative Service.
What truly stands out in their journey is not just their ranks, but their bond. They weren’t competitors, they were each other’s support system. This story is a powerful reminder that with genuine support, shared dreams, and unbreakable determination, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.