Kanpur: Former Indian Navy sailor Mayank Sachan has secured All India Rank 343 in the UPSC Central Armed Police Forces (Assistant Commandants) Examination 2025, capping a long journey marked by more than 15 unsuccessful competitive examinations, two SSB rejections and two failed CAPF written attempts.
Sachan, who comes from a modest family in Kanpur, earned a place in the final CAPF merit list on his third attempt. The Union Public Service Commission declared the final result on August 7, 2026, recommending 350 candidates for appointment as Assistant Commandants in the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
Sachan completed his Class 10 and Class 12 education at a government school. His father worked as an electrician in a private factory and supported a family of five. With engineering education financially difficult for the family, Sachan chose a career in the Indian Navy and joined the service as a sailor.
He went on to serve in the Navy for 15 years. Despite demanding operational responsibilities, including duties at sea, Sachan continued his education alongside his service. He pursued distance education through Indira Gandhi National Open University and completed both his graduation and a postgraduate degree in Public Administration.
His ambition to become an officer, however, involved repeated setbacks. Sachan initially appeared for the Combined Defence Services examination and reached the Services Selection Board interview but was not recommended. He later appeared for another commission entry through the SSB and faced rejection for a second time.
Sachan also attempted the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2021 but could not clear the preliminary examination. He subsequently turned his attention towards the CAPF Assistant Commandant examination, but his first two attempts ended at the written stage.
By his own account, he had faced failure in more than 15 competitive examinations over the years. Rather than abandoning his goal, he continued preparing while drawing on the discipline developed during his long naval career.
The written examination for CAPF 2025 was conducted on August 3, 2025. Candidates who progressed through the subsequent stages appeared for the Personality Tests held between May 4 and May 29, 2026. Sachan successfully completed the selection process on his third CAPF attempt and eventually secured AIR 343.
Sachan has credited his years in the Indian Navy with shaping the qualities that helped him continue despite repeated setbacks. Speaking about his journey, he said naval service had made him a mature, calm, composed and disciplined individual.
His story gained wider attention after he shared his journey on social media. Several media outlets subsequently highlighted how he continued attempting competitive examinations despite more than a decade of setbacks.
Sachan’s achievement is particularly significant for defence aspirants who begin their careers in the enlisted ranks but continue pursuing opportunities to enter the officer cadre. His journey involved completing higher education while serving, appearing before the SSB twice, attempting the Civil Services Examination and repeatedly taking the CAPF examination.
After 15 years as an Indian Navy sailor and more than 15 unsuccessful competitive examination attempts, Sachan’s AIR 343 has finally opened the way for him to serve as a Group A officer in one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces.
His journey stands as an example of persistence for aspirants facing repeated examination failures. Two SSB rejections and multiple unsuccessful UPSC attempts did not end his pursuit of an officer’s career; his third CAPF attempt finally resulted in his name appearing on the UPSC merit list.
