Karukachal: An unwavering, indomitable spirit: that's Sam Varghese. Five defeats did not deter him from chasing his dream, and he cleared the civil services exam in his last and sixth attempt, ranking 134.

Systematic learning was his success mantra. Studying according to a schedule helped in cracking the exam, he said.

Sam is the second of the three children of Varghese Skaria and Omana of Puthukkattil House at Thottakkadu. He had his schooling at the Indian School in Muscat, where his family had settled. Later, he pursued Plus-II from Rajagiri Public School in Ernakulam before joining Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi for his BCom degree. Meanwhile, he had prepared for Chartered Accountancy, which he passed in 2013.

Sam, who is keen on penning English poems and an avid traveller, started preparing for civils from 2013 onwards. A black belt in karate, he is now working with a Bengaluru-based IT firm. His wife Maria Mathew is a senior consultant in a private company.

Sam's sister Salma Varghese is a medical practitioner in Dubai, while the second sister is an architect.