Coming from Darbhanga, Bihar, Mohammad Minaz is redefining resilience. With no room to stay and no financial aid, he sleeps on library chairs and relies on Gurudwara langars to pursue his dream of becoming an IAS officer.
- Mohammad Minaz studies and sleeps in a 24-hour library in Delhi.
- He travels 10 km to Majnu ka Tilla Gurudwara for bathing and free meals.
- He prepares for the exam without coaching, focusing on analyzing previous year questions.
- Earns approx. ₹3,000/month via a bank-account opening app to cover basic costs.
Mukherjee Nagar in Delhi is globally recognized as a hub for UPSC aspirants. While many students reside in expensive PGs or hostels, Mohammad Minaz, hailing from Darbhanga, Bihar, represents a starkly different reality. For Minaz, the pursuit of the Civil Services is not just an academic goal but a battle for survival against extreme poverty.
For the past year and a half, Minaz has been preparing for the UPSC without any formal coaching or financial support from his family. His entire existence is centered around a 24-hour library. He spends his days studying and his nights sleeping on a library chair, with his belongings tucked away in a small locker.
BozokMedia analysis shows that Minaz's struggle highlights the severe economic divide in India's competitive exam ecosystem. While the 'coaching industry' thrives on exorbitant fees, a significant portion of aspirants from rural backgrounds are forced into extreme deprivation to access basic study environments. This narrative underscores the necessity for more affordable student housing and institutional support for underprivileged candidates.
The physical toll of his journey is immense. To maintain basic hygiene and satisfy his hunger, Minaz travels nearly 10 kilometers to Majnu ka Tilla. He relies on the community kitchen (langar) of the Gurudwara for food. To maximize his study hours, he often eats only once a day, avoiding the time-consuming commute for a second meal.
"Success is not a product of resources, but a result of unwavering willpower and a strategic approach, as evidenced by Minaz's journey."
To sustain himself, Minaz works as a freelance agent for an app that helps people open bank accounts. Earning roughly ₹300-400 per account, he manages to gather about ₹3,000 a month—just enough to pay the library fee and cover minimal transport costs. He consciously avoids full-time employment, fearing it would steal the 12-13 hours required for rigorous study and recovery.
In a poignant display of filial love, Minaz has kept his hardships a secret from his 70-year-old parents in Bihar. Knowing his father suffers from diabetes and the family is burdened by debt, he tells them he is doing well. He wishes for his parents to witness his success before their time runs out, driven by the goal of supporting his remaining sister's education and marriage.
Strategically, Minaz employs a 'question-first' approach. Instead of blindly reading textbooks, he analyzes the pattern of previous years' questions to decode the examiner's mindset. This self-taught methodology allows him to compete with those attending high-priced coaching centers.
1. How does Mohammad Minaz fund his basic expenses?
He earns approximately ₹3,000 per month by facilitating bank account openings through a mobile application.
2. How is he preparing for UPSC without coaching?
He focuses on analyzing the pattern of previous year questions and seeks guidance from seniors who have already appeared for the exam.
