Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Amitabh Kant releases IAS Sajjan Yadav’s new book ‘Scaling Mount UPSC: Inspirational Stories of Young IAS Officers’
New Delhi: The grand launch of the book Scaling Mount UPSC: Inspiring Stories of Young IAS Officers was held today at the prestigious Constitution Club in New Delhi. The book was officially unveiled by the Union Education Minister, Hon’ble Dharmendra Pradhan. The author of this inspiring collection is IAS Sajjan Yadav, who currently serves as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
Scaling Mount UPSC brings together the motivational stories of seven young IAS officers who overcame severe hardships and obstacles to succeed in the world’s toughest and most challenging competitive examination — the UPSC Civil Services Exam.
From a visually impaired girl from Sikkim, a government clerk from Kerala, to a youth from a remote village in Kashmir and an IIT graduate from Rajasthan, this book captures the unique journeys of determination and grit.
Featured IAS officers in the book include:
Minnu P.M. (From a junior clerk in Thiruvananthapuram to IAS)
Satyam Gandhi (From a small village in Samastipur, Bihar)
Bharat Singh (Once living in a servant’s quarter, now an IAS officer)
Anjali Sharma (Achieved IAS despite visual impairment)
Waseem Ahmad Bhat (From Anantnag, Kashmir)
Shruti Sharma (From Bijnor, UP)
Lavish (Who left behind the allure of the USA to become an IAS officer)
Chief Guest Dharmendra Pradhan remarked:
“Through simple and engaging language, this book beautifully portrays the mindset and struggles of an aspirant preparing for the IAS exam. The inspirational stories will serve as milestones for society and motivate young aspirants across the country.”
India’s G20 Sherpa and former IAS officer Amitabh Kant, who was also present at the event, said:
“This book captures the ambition to become an IAS officer and the relentless effort to achieve that dream. It will serve as a guidepost for future generations and help public servants better understand their roles and responsibilities.”
Scaling Mount UPSC sends a strong message: barriers of language, background, or physical challenges are not enough to stop determined individuals from succeeding in the IAS exam. With the right strategy, focus, and relentless hard work, dreams can be realized — anywhere in the world.
Written in a captivating storytelling style, free of preachiness, the book is set to inspire young men and women, whether aiming for the civil services or any ambitious goal in life.
The book not only narrates their extraordinary journeys but also presents valuable strategies and insights for civil service aspirants. Each chapter offers a glimpse into the personal experiences and philosophies of the candidates, making it a priceless resource for readers.
About the Author:
Sajjan Yadav is a 1995 batch IAS officer of the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories) Cadre. He is also the author of the national bestseller India’s Vaccine Growth Story: From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri, which has been translated into 16 Indian languages as well as Spanish.
He holds a Doctorate in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, USA, and an MBA from the University of Delhi.
Sajjan Yadav has served in senior leadership roles in both the Government of India and various state governments, bringing over three decades of rich and diverse administrative experience. He has been honored with multiple prestigious awards, including the National e-Governance Award (2017-18) and the President of India Medal for excellence in Census Operations.
