Born into a world where even the simplest movements demanded extraordinary effort, Manvendra Singh has redefined the meaning of resilience.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy — a lifelong neurological condition that affects movement and muscle control — Manvendra’s earliest years were marked by challenges that would test even the strongest spirits. Yet, against every odds, he has emerged not just victorious, but inspirational.

From his first unsteady grip on a pencil to securing All-India Rank 112 in the 2025 UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE) — a highly competitive test that recruits engineers into the prestigious Indian Engineering Services — Manvendra’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. He accomplished this feat on his first attempt, a rarity in itself even for fully-abled aspirants.

Nurturing Potential Beyond Limitations

From infancy, when typical milestones seemed distant dreams, Manvendra’s mother, Renu Singh, saw beyond physical limitations to his bright mind and unbroken will. Rather than protecting him from challenges, she focused on building his abilities — emotionally, academically, and physically. While others saw what he couldn’t do, she nurtured what he could.

Encouraged by his mother and extended family, Manvendra underwent years of therapies — from physiotherapy to a blend of allopathic and traditional treatments — aimed at improving muscle control and mobility. Over time, these small victories accumulated, and he began to take his first steps, literally and metaphorically, toward independence.

Life tested him early. After the passing of his father, the family endured emotional and financial strain. Amid grief and responsibility, Manvendra kept his focus, continuing studies from his grandmother’s home and carrying both pain and purpose with quiet determination.

Academic Ascent: From Classrooms To IIT

Manvendra’s academic prowess soon became evident. He finished in the top ten in both Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, showing that while his body fought battles, his mind excelled. Encouraged by consistent results, he prepared for the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) — one of India’s toughest engineering entrance tests — and cracked it with a commendable All-India rank of 63, earning a seat at IIT Patna.

Campus life brought its own trials. Daily activities that many take for granted — cycling to classes, preparing meals, managing studies — were exercises in discipline and self-reliance. But these routines honed his resilience and built the mental rigor that would later underpin his UPSC preparation.

Cracking UPSC: A Testament To Grit And Focus

In 2025, Manvendra sat for the UPSC Engineering Services Examination — a three-stage process of prelims, mains, and interview administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select officers for critical technical roles in India’s public infrastructure and services. The exam sees hundreds of thousands compete annually for a handful of positions, with a qualification rate often below one percent.

Despite the rigors of preparation and the physical constraints of cerebral palsy, Manvendra not only cleared all stages but secured a stellar 112th rank nationwide, marking his entry into the Indian Engineering Services (IES).

A Story With Broader Resonance

Today, Manvendra stands ready to serve the nation as an IES officer — a role that will place him among India’s civil engineering leaders responsible for sectors ranging from infrastructure development to public works. But his story transcends professional achievement.

For countless students facing physical challenges, socio-economic barriers, or self-doubt, his success is a beacon of possibility: that courage can be cultivated, and that belief — especially from someone who stands by you — can transform limitation into triumph.

In a world quick to measure ability by physical capacity, Manvendra’s journey reminds us that true strength lies in the human spirit, and that with steadfast support and personal resolve, even the most formidable obstacles can be surmounted.

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