What inspired your transition from a technical and management background to civil services, and what were the pivotal moments that guided this trajectory?

To be candid, during my engineering studies, I never developed a genuine interest in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE). By my third year, it became clear to me that pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in this field was not aligned with my aspirations. This realization left me at a crossroads, with two primary options: pursuing an MBA or venturing into civil services. At the time, the idea of civil services seemed daunting due to the intense competition—only a few hundred positions were available annually, with the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) offering just 180 seats. With approximately five to six lakh aspirants competing, many of whom had multiple attempts and greater experience, I initially shied away from this path.

An MBA appeared to be the more pragmatic choice, as I believed it would equip me with the managerial skills necessary to thrive in both the corporate and government sectors. Additionally, being a fresher at the age of 20 with a strong foundation in mathematics, I felt I had little to lose. I took the Common Admission Test (CAT), performed well, and secured admission to IIM Calcutta.

After completing my first year at IIM Calcutta, I undertook a mandatory internship at Hindustan Unilever (HUL) in Mumbai. This experience provided me with clarity that a corporate career was not my calling. The highly competitive nature of the corporate world and the fast-paced lifestyle of metropolitan cities did not resonate with me, especially coming from a smaller city like Jaipur.

However, the turning point that steered me toward civil services occurred during my time at BITS Pilani and IIM Calcutta. At BITS Pilani, I was actively involved with the National Service Scheme (NSS), where I taught school children—a deeply fulfilling experience. At IIM Calcutta, I participated in a live project with Teach for India, focusing on School Management Committees (SMCs). SMCs are platforms that bring together parents, teachers, and administrators to collaboratively make decisions for schools. We successfully implemented this concept in Kolkata and Delhi.

Later, while working at HSBC, I came across an article highlighting the remarkable success of Delhi government schools, partly attributed to the implementation of SMCs. This revelation made me realize the profound impact civil services could have on multiple sectors simultaneously. It was this moment of clarity that ultimately led me to pivot toward a career in civil services.

Despite the challenges of the civil services exam, why do you believe public services stand out as your preferred choice, especially given that it is not a conventional 9-to-5 job?

The most compelling reason, in my view, is the unparalleled diversity of responsibilities and the continuous learning opportunities that civil services offer. Currently, as a Sub Divisional Magistrate in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh, I am required to make swift decisions, address a wide array of issues, and devise solutions across various sectors. This level of exposure and responsibility is unmatched by any other profession in India, particularly at such a young age.

The role demands adaptability, critical thinking, and a deep sense of purpose, which I find immensely rewarding. The ability to drive meaningful change and contribute to society on such a broad scale is what makes civil services a truly fulfilling career.

How challenging the UPSC exam is, you managed to secure an All India Rank of 30. What tips or advice would you like to give to IAS aspirants preparing for the prelims and interviews?

The UPSC exam has three stages, each requiring a different preparation strategy. Before starting, aspirants should be clear about their optional subject. For instance, I chose mathematics because I enjoyed it and found it a scoring subject. It’s also important to identify the basic resources you’ll use, such as textbooks and newspapers. I used to read The Hindu, as many questions in the exam are sourced from it.

For prelims preparation, I recommend dedicating four to five months. Solving mock tests is crucial—I solved around 60 to 70 papers. Developing an elimination technique is vital because even the most intelligent candidates won’t know all the answers. Practicing how to eliminate options and make educated guesses is essential.

For the interview, it’s a test of personality, which develops over time. However, practicing mock interviews can help refine your communication skills. For example, I used to speak very quickly, so I worked on slowing down to articulate my thoughts clearly.

Do you think your experiences at BITS Pilani and IIM shaped your personality in a way that helped you during the UPSC interview?

Yes, definitely. In my second interview, the chairperson asked about the changes I observed moving from BITS to IIM. I humorously mentioned the gender ratio, which created a lighthearted atmosphere. My experiences during those six years at BITS helped shape my personality and responses respectfully and engagingly.

Having a strong background in both engineering and management, how do you bridge the gap between analytical thinking and empathetic governance?

Recently, I encountered a situation where a parent’s children were not allowed to take their practical exams due to unpaid fees at a private school. From the school’s perspective, it was a matter of business, but as a human, I understood that a child’s education should not suffer due to financial issues. I intervened by asking the block education officer to negotiate with the principal, and the matter was resolved. Maintaining a balance between analytical skills and empathetic governance is crucial. While rules are important, empathy can lead to better outcomes.

For instance, at an ashram here, which is essentially an old-age home, there are nearly 85 destitute individuals, some of whom are mentally challenged. The ashram often had to request ambulances from the Gwalior district, which is 45 minutes away, for medical check-ups. To address this, we decided to prepare Aadhaar and Ayushman cards for them. With Ayushman cards, each person would receive free health insurance of up to ₹5 lakhs, significantly reducing operational costs. However, creating Aadhaar cards for individuals with no documents is challenging. With the support of the DM and CEO Zilla Panchayat, we coordinated with officials in Bhopal to make this possible. Aadhaar cards are being rolled out, and Ayushman cards will follow.

This initiative wouldn’t have been possible with just analytical thinking. Empathy played a crucial role in driving this solution.

On the other hand, there have been instances where projects driven by empathy faced resistance due to governance or analytical constraints. For example, in Dabra, where I am posted as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, there is a bridge under which many street vendors (thelawalas) operate. This causes traffic and drainage issues. I wanted to relocate them to a designated market area to resolve these issues while ensuring their livelihoods weren’t affected. However, there was pressure from stakeholders not to remove them. Despite this, with the support of my seniors, including the DM, we moved forward with the plan.

In my 14 months of tenure, I’ve faced resistance in only 2-3 instances. Politicians and seniors generally support initiatives that are committed to public welfare. While challenges vary from state to state and administration to administration, I’ve mostly felt independent in my work.

What were the challenges you faced during UPSC preparation, and how did you navigate the immense pressure that came your way?

The biggest challenge I faced was staying motivated. I remember a batchmate from BITS, Anshul Shrivastava, who is now an IRS officer. When I visited Delhi, she had just cleared the exam that year. Since we had both chosen mathematics as our optional subject, I called her to ask for a booklist. Instead of focusing on study materials, she told me that the most important thing was to stay motivated. At the time, I inwardly laughed at her advice, but during my three years of preparation, I realized she was absolutely right.

Staying motivated in an environment where everyone questions your choices, relatives constantly inquire about your progress, your age keeps advancing, and you're cut off from your social circle is incredibly tough. Throughout my preparation, I remained in touch with only two or three close friends and completely disconnected from WhatsApp and social media. There were moments when I felt isolated, watching my peers party, earn well, and excel in their careers and relationships. The weight of those thoughts was difficult to bear, but I learned to counter them by constantly reminding myself that I could do this.

In this process, the people around you play a crucial role. Firstly, your family. Secondly, your close friends who understand your situation. For example, I have a close friend from IIM. During COVID, while I was preparing, her father passed away. She knew I was deep in my studies, so she didn’t call me; she texted me instead. It takes a lot of strength to not call your best friend during such a difficult time. I’m deeply indebted to my family, friends, and teachers for their support. You need such people in your life.

Secondly, self-motivation is equally important. While family, friends, and teachers can motivate you to an extent, ultimately, you must rely on yourself. You must listen to motivational songs, watch inspiring movies, push through the dark days, wake up early, and stay disciplined. These were the two most important aspects of my preparation.

Are there any new fields, technologies, or disciplines you’re currently exploring to enhance governance and leadership to drive change in India?

I wouldn’t say I’m exploring entirely new technologies but focusing on improving existing systems. For example, in the Government of India or the Government of Madhya Pradesh, every scheme typically has a portal for maintaining beneficiary lists and disbursing benefits. While everything has moved online, there’s a lot of portal multiplicity, and people often don’t know which information is available on which portal. Additionally, these portals often face genuine technical issues. Streamlining these systems and making them more user-friendly is a priority. This is one area where I believe improvements can significantly enhance governance and service delivery.

For instance, let me give you an example. You’ve probably heard of Anganwadis, right? In Madhya Pradesh, there’s an app called the Sampark app, which is used to mark the attendance of Anganwadi workers (Karekartas) and track whether they are providing the right amount of nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children studying there. However, the issue is that the attendance is marked by the Karekarta themselves. So, even if they don’t actually go to the Anganwadi, there’s no way to verify their presence. This is where technology can play a crucial role. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, geotagging was used to ensure people stayed within designated boundaries. If the Sampark app could incorporate geotagging, it would be a game-changer. It would allow us to confirm whether the Karekarta has actually reached the Anganwadi and is performing its duties. These small but significant improvements can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of such portals. Currently, I’m focusing on identifying gaps like these in existing systems and working on ways to enhance them. This is the level of technological intervention I’m leading at the moment.

What advice would you give students torn between corporate careers, entrepreneurship, and public services?

One of the reasons I chose to pursue an MBA was to gain firsthand experience in the corporate world before committing to civil services. I wanted to ensure that I was making an informed decision. If I found corporate life fulfilling, I would have continued on that path. Our MBA curriculum is thoughtfully designed to provide opportunities like PS1 and PS2, which allow students to explore and assess their fit in the corporate or entrepreneurial realms.

I sincerely advise anyone considering civil services to gain at least one year of work experience before diving into preparation. Clearing the civil services exam requires knowledge, resilience, and perseverance. If, after multiple attempts, you are unable to succeed, transitioning back to the job market can be challenging, especially in a competitive environment.

Therefore, having a backup plan, acquiring relevant skills, and then stepping into civil services is crucial. Many aspirants successfully prepare for the exam while working full-time. However, gaining professional experience beforehand ensures you make a well-informed decision about your career trajectory.

As someone who has achieved so much, what drives you daily? What is your daily source of inspiration and motivation?

 For me, it’s the simple yet profound desire to serve the country. There’s no greater motivation than that. I believe that if I can go to bed each night knowing I’ve made even a small difference in someone’s life, I’ve done my job. Whether it’s signing a single file that resolves a legitimate issue or ensuring basic facilities reach those in need, my goal is to help as many people as possible and improve their lives in whatever way I can.