On the day the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 results were announced, thousands of aspirants across the country were anxiously refreshing their screens. Coaching centres in Delhi buzzed with anticipation, and families gathered around laptops waiting for life-changing news.But for Smit Panchal, the moment arrived in an entirely different setting.He was not in a library or a coaching institute. Instead, he was standing beside his father in their modest blacksmith workshop in Ahmedabad, shaping iron under the heat of a blazing furnace. As sparks flew from the anvil, his phone buzzed with the result that would change his family’s future forever.Smit Panchal Hasmukhbhai had secured All India Rank 30 in one of India’s toughest examinations.For a family that had spent generations earning a living through blacksmithing, it was far more than an examination result—it was proof that determination can reshape destiny.
A childhood shaped by hard work, not privilege
Smit’s family originally belonged to Gujarat’s Aravalli district before moving to Ahmedabad in search of better opportunities. Like many migrant families, survival came before dreams.His father, Hasmukhbhai Panchal, worked as a blacksmith to provide for the family. In 2011, when his father’s health deteriorated and surgery became necessary, Smit stepped into the family workshop to help keep the business running while continuing his studies.Balancing education with physical labour became part of his daily routine.Despite financial hardships, Smit never allowed education to take a back seat. He and his sister eventually became the first graduates in their family—a milestone that reflected years of sacrifice and perseverance.After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Smit found a new dream: serving the country through the Civil Services.
Chasing the UPSC dream despite financial struggles
Determined to become an IAS officer, Smit moved to Delhi in 2022 to prepare for the UPSC examination.Like countless aspirants from modest backgrounds, staying in Delhi and preparing full-time placed a heavy financial burden on his family. During this challenging phase, his close friend Kaushal stepped forward with financial support, helping him continue his preparation when circumstances could easily have forced him to return home.In 2023, Smit enrolled in the General Studies Foundation Course at NEXT IAS, where he strengthened his conceptual understanding and built a systematic approach to tackling the vast UPSC syllabus.However, success did not come in his first serious attempt.
Missing the Mains by just 2.5 marks
The Civil Services Examination 2023 brought one of the most heartbreaking moments of his journey.Smit narrowly missed qualifying for the Mains after falling short by just 2.5 marks in the CSAT paper.For many aspirants, such a setback becomes the end of the dream. For Smit, it became the beginning of a stronger comeback.With his savings exhausted, he returned to Ahmedabad and took up a job as a counsellor at a coaching institute. Even while working full-time, he dedicated five to six hours every day to studying.Ironically, some people around him doubted his potential and reportedly told him that he would never even reach the UPSC interview stage, even after multiple attempts.Instead of allowing those remarks to discourage him, Smit used them as motivation.
Failure became his greatest teacher
Rather than blaming luck, Smit analysed what had gone wrong.He devoted special attention to CSAT, solved Previous Year Questions extensively, strengthened his answer-writing skills and followed a disciplined revision schedule.After saving enough money through his job, he resigned and returned to Delhi to prepare exclusively for the examination once again.This time, he approached every stage of the UPSC process with greater clarity, confidence and discipline.The results reflected his transformation.Smit secured 1008 marks overall, including 804 marks in the written examination and 204 marks in the Personality Test. With Political Science and International Relations as his optional subject, he scored 275 marks and secured All India Rank 30.
More than an AIR, a lesson for every student
Smit Panchal’s journey is not merely about clearing one of India’s toughest examinations.It is about a student who helped his father in a blacksmith’s workshop, worked to finance his own preparation, faced financial uncertainty, endured discouraging comments and still refused to abandon his dream.His story reminds students that success is rarely a straight line. Entrance examinations may not be cleared in the first attempt, careers may be delayed and circumstances may seem unfair—but persistence often matters more than perfection.From shaping iron beside his father to shaping a new future through UPSC, Smit Panchal has shown that where you begin does not determine where you can reach.For every aspirant studying in a small town, supporting their family while preparing, or wondering whether one setback has ended their dream, his journey carries a powerful message: your background may influence your starting point, but your determination decides your destination.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about UPSC CSE 2024 topper Smit Panchal and is intended for educational and inspirational purposes.
