Meet a man who lost his vision at level 8, his mother helped him study and performed the UPSC exam in the air…
Preparing for the UPSC exam as a visually impaired student presents a range of challenges, especially since many research materials are not available in accessible formats
At just 23, Manu Garg passed an example of the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2025, with the All India Level (AIR) model of 91 despite impaired visual impairment. When Manu lost his vision in Level 8 due to a rare genetic disease, his journey took a daunting turn. Daily tasks became difficult, but his mother’s unwavering support became his guiding light. She would sit next to him for hours, patiently reading the lesson aloud and make sure he knew each concept.
After graduating from high school, Manu advocates independent technology learning. He relies on audiobooks, screen readers and intercom features on his phone to access learning materials. His determination paid off the Indian College of Delhi University, where he ranked second in batches. Manu also became a well-known debater, winning 150 games.
Manu’s ambition to join the civil servant grew during the 19th pandemic. However, preparing for the AUPSC exam as a visually impaired student presents a number of challenges, especially since many of the research materials are not available in accessible formats. Manu found a creative solution: a friend sent him a voice notes about WhatsApp, he converted it to a PDF and listened to using intercom. His mother stayed with him, helping him check his audio notes and making sure he didn’t miss anything important.
When Manu and his mother first joined PhysicsWallah’s IAS coaching program, they weren’t sure what to expect. But Manu’s quiet resilience and ruthless drive quickly stood out. He never slows down the obstacles and always finds ways to move forward.
