IAS cracker passing on his know-how for free

"Your knowledge should not be limited to you," says 23-year-old Roman Saini from Jaipur who became an IAS officer at the age of 22. Saini now uploads videos on YouTube giving free coaching and tips on cracking IAS exam to those who can't afford to join classes.

He says he decided to help IAS aspirants after himself experiencing mediocre lectures in coaching classes charging huge fees. He has also launched a free mobile app with user-friendly presentation on different topics that come up in competitive exams.

Speaking about his journey and why he decided to become an IAS officer, the first in his family, Saini says, "I was pursuing my MBBS and was posted in Haryana's Dayalpur village. I saw how people were deprived of basic facilities. That's when I decided to serve the nation."

His revolutionary education movement started with the help of his childhood friend Gaurav Munjal, an MBA from NMIMS. Munjal helped Saini set up the website www.unacademy-upsc.com. He also uploaded videos on topics from his field.

The website has tips from Saini on how to take the civil services exam, and from others who've cracked the IAS exam on anthropology, commerce and accountancy, and law among other topics.

Saini also has a Facebook page, where he answers aspirants' queries.

"The website is being viewed by so many aspirants across India... they even greet me whenever our paths cross," he adds.

Saini was invited to speak at the TEDx conference on how he cracked the IAS exam in his first attempt. He is now undergoing training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration near Mussoorie.

After clearing his Std XII exam at the age of 16, Saini got into the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, clearing its entrance test in the first attempt. While studying for MBBS, he also got a degree in guitar from Trinity College, London. In 2009, he started his research, and in 2011, got it published — Pain Mitigation and Management — in a medical journal. He passed out with an MBBS degree in 2013 and joined the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre.