Polio Survivor Cracks India's Toughest Exam Twice

When polio took away her ability to walk as a child, Balalatha Mallavarapu lost more than just mobility. Schools in India weren't equipped for students with disabilities, forcing her to stay home while other children went to class.

The isolation pushed her into deep depression and self-doubt. But somewhere in that darkness, she made a choice: meaning over despair.

Unable to attend regular school, Balalatha homeschooled herself. She cleared her 10th and 12th grade exams as a private candidate, then earned her degree through distance learning, studying alone but refusing to give up.

One day, she saw a magazine featuring civil servants. The images sparked something powerful inside her: if she could crack the notoriously difficult UPSC Civil Services Examination, she could prove her worth to a society that had counted her out.

Through countless sleepless nights of self-study, Balalatha achieved what seemed impossible. In 2004, she passed the UPSC with an All India Rank of 399, becoming a civil servant and joining the Ministry of Defence.

But she wasn't done. In 2016, she took the exam again and scored even higher, achieving AIR 160.

For 12 years, Balalatha served as Deputy Director in the Ministry of Defence. Alongside her official duties, she discovered a passion for mentoring other UPSC aspirants who reminded her of herself: determined but doubting.

Why This Inspires

In 2016, Balalatha made another bold choice. She left government service to found her own coaching academy, dedicating herself full-time to helping others achieve their civil service dreams.

Since opening her doors, she has trained thousands of students both online and offline. Over 100 of her students have successfully cleared the UPSC exam, carrying forward the torch she lit for them.

Her message to those still struggling cuts straight to the heart: "Inhibitions are often self-imposed. Break these inner barriers, and life opens up with limitless possibilities."

Balalatha's journey proves that the biggest obstacles we face aren't always physical, and the greatest victories come from refusing to accept the limits others place on us.