Lost His Phone, Didn’t File an FIR – Now a Shepherd’s Son Becomes an IPS Officer, Cracks UPSC in First Attempt

Maharashtra: A young man from a humble background in Yamge village, located in the Kagal tehsil of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, has achieved the extraordinary. Birudev Siddappa Dhone, the son of a Dhangar (shepherd) family, cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in his very first attempt, securing an impressive 551st rank.

Dressed in a blanket over his shoulders, a Gandhi cap on his head, a stick in his hand, and large traditional Dhangar sandals on his feet, Birudev once roamed the sun-baked fields herding goats. Today, he stands as a future IPS officer.

The news of his success broke when a friend in his maternal uncle’s village came running and shouted, “Birudev, you’ve cleared the UPSC exam!” His illiterate parents, standing nearby, could only understand one thing — their son had become a “Sahab” (officer). The entire family broke into joyous celebration.

Birudev is now the first student from Kagal tehsil to pass the UPSC exam. He had appeared for the exam in 2024, at the age of 27, and cleared it in his first attempt.

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What Inspired Him?

The turning point came when Birudev lost his mobile phone and went to the local police station to file a complaint — but the police refused to help. That moment sparked a fire in him. He vowed to become an IPS officer, and from that day, he began studying with relentless dedication — sometimes up to 22 hours a day.

He moved to Delhi to prepare for the UPSC, determined to make his parents proud. Despite facing many financial challenges, he never gave up.

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His Journey:

• He topped his 10th and 12th class at the Muragud center in Kagal tehsil.

• He went on to study engineering at SIOEP College in Pune.

• His father, Siddappa Dhone, studied only up to 12th grade and continued the family’s traditional occupation of goat herding.

• His father supported him with ₹10,000–₹12,000 every month, often through great hardship.

• Despite many suggestions from his father to consider other jobs, Birudev remained firm in his goal.

Finally, all the sacrifices and years of hard work paid off — Birudev is now an IPS officer.