Meet Vikas Singh Panwar: UPSC in First Attempt at 22; from village to Hindu College to KBC ₹ 50 lakhs in cash | Success Story | Today’s news

At just 22, Vikas Singh Panwar has achieved something remarkable twice. He has secured an All India Rank 159 in UPSC CSE 2025. And he has achieved this in his first attempt at the exam.

But there is more to his story than just UPSC success. Months before this result, he appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati. Hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, season 17 aired in November 2025.

Vikas left the show with ₹50 lakhs. He decided to quit at this stage rather than risk everything. Another question was worth it ₹1 crore.

Interestingly, when asked to guess the final answer, he got it right. This happened even though he had already decided to leave. It showed his knowledge and composure months before the UPSC results came out.

During an interaction with Amitabh Bachchan, Vikas said that he would like to repay the loan his father had taken for his education. He said he planned to do it with the prize money. All this was said by the 12th grade state player after he just won ₹15,000 in the game.

From the hills of Himachal to the classrooms of Delhi

Vikas hails from Jubli village in Kupvi, Shimla district. He moved from the hills to Delhi for further studies. This shift marked the beginning of his greater journey.

He completed his schooling from DAV New Shimla School. He later joined the Hindu College of the University of Delhi. There he graduated with a BA (Hons) in Political Science.

This choice of subject later became central to his UPSC strategy. He chose political science and international relations as his elective. His academic record also includes qualifying for the UGC-NET exam. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in political science.

His family background allowed him to work in public service early on. His father, Chater Singh, works as the headmaster of a government school. This association with education and service was carried through his upbringing.

Vikas secured an impressive 988 marks out of a total of 2025. His written exam contributed 787 marks to this score. The personality test added another 201 points. This combination earned him an All India Rank of 159.

Financial challenges

UPSC preparation often requires considerable financial and academic resources. This is especially true when applicants move to Delhi from a village.

Vikas got full scholarship through NEXT IAS’s National Scholarship Test. This allowed him to join their structured coaching program. He has completed their GS Foundation Course and Current Affairs course. This support came at a crucial stage in his preparation. It helped him systematically prepare for his first UPSC attempt.

What makes Vikas’ journey truly remarkable is its remarkable scope. He went from studying at a prominent college in Delhi to winning television awards. His journey spans from qualifying UGC-NET to cracking India’s toughest competitive exam.

His story shows how education and scholarships can truly transform opportunities. Students from smaller cities and towns can compete nationwide.