He failed 15+ exams, served in the Navy for 15 years, then cleared UPSC CAPF

For Mayank Sachan, clearing the UPSC CAPF 2025 examination was not the result of a smooth preparation journey. The Kanpur resident failed more than 15 competitive examinations, could not clear two SSB attempts, and missed the CAPF written examination twice before finally securing All India Rank 343 on his third attempt, according to a post shared by him on Instagram.

Mayank grew up in a modest family and studied at a government school for Classes 10 and 12. His father worked as an electrician at a private factory. With two siblings and financial constraints making engineering difficult, Mayank chose a different path and joined the Indian Navy.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryFROM SAILOR TO UPSC ASPIRANTMayank spent 15 years serving in the Indian Navy, while continuing his education alongside his professional responsibilities. He completed his graduation and post-graduation in Public Administration through IGNOU.

Setbacks also marked his journey towards the armed forces. He appeared for SSB twice, once for CDS and once for a commission, but could not clear either attempt.

He later appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination but failed to clear the preliminary stage. His first two attempts at the CAPF written examination also ended without success.

However, Mayank continued preparing and returned for the CAPF examination for a third time. This time, his persistence paid off as he secured AIR 343 in UPSC CAPF 2025. IG post shared by Mayank Sachan (Image courtesy: @ac_mayanksachan/Instagram) WHAT OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM HIS EXPERIENCEMayank credits his years in the Indian Navy with helping him develop calmness, composure, discipline and maturity. These qualities, he says, helped him deal with repeated setbacks and continue working towards his goal.

His journey offers a simple lesson for competitive-exam aspirants: failure can become part of the preparation process, but it does not have to decide the outcome. His experience also shows how professional experience, continued learning, and persistence can come together when pursuing a long-term goal.

Disclaimer: This story is based on a social media post. The details, including figures, background, and outcomes, have not been independently verified by India Today. The article is intended for informational purposes only, and readers are advised to exercise their own discretion before drawing conclusions or making decisions based on the content.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Sep 17, 2026 11:20 ISTREAD | From a cobbler's family to Padma Shri: How Ashok Khade built a Rs 350 crore firm