Q: Let’s start at the beginning—tell us about your academic journey.
I did my schooling at Delhi Public School in Korba, and later graduated in 2021 from IIT (BHU) Varanasi with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Somewhere along the journey, I also picked up a diploma in Governance & Government Studies from the Indian Institute of Governance & Leadership.
Q: Where did your professional career begin?
My first and only role was straight out of college, at a company called LG Ad Solutions as a Business and Data Analyst. My main job was to work with large sets of advertising and viewer data, and basically, figuring out what kind of ads were working, who was watching them, and when they were most effective. I created dashboards and reports to show trends, patterns, and insights in a visual and easy-to-understand way. I also collaborated with different teams like marketing, sales, and product, to solve real business problems using data. Overall, my role was all about turning numbers into meaningful stories that could help the business grow. However, while I enjoyed the work, and was making decent money, I slowly started realising that I was looking for something more purpose-driven.
Q: What led you to make the switch from corporate to UPSC preparation?
Coming from Chhattisgarh, I’ve grown up around communities that are largely tribal, poor, and vulnerable, many of them living in mining areas with very basic living conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges became even more visible. I saw firsthand how deeply inequality runs and how easily entire communities can be pushed to the edge during a crisis. While I was working in the corporate sector, I couldn’t stop thinking about how disconnected that world felt from the realities back home. I wanted to be in a place where I could understand the system better and contribute more meaningfully. That’s what drew me toward the civil services journey. It felt like a natural step, using my education and exposure to try and bring about change at the grassroots level. It wasn’t just about a career shift; it was about answering a deeper calling to serve.
Q: That’s a bold decision. How was the UPSC journey for you?
It was intense, to say the least. I dedicated three years to this journey. Two serious attempts, countless books, notes, and a routine that demanded full-time discipline and focus. In 2024, I cleared the prelims and wrote the Mains, but unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the interview stage. That moment hit hard. It felt like everything I had worked so relentlessly for had slipped through my fingers. Alongside the disappointment, I also started to feel the weight of the opportunity cost. I was giving the prime years of my 20s to something with no guaranteed outcome. Meanwhile, I saw peers moving ahead in their careers, learning new skills, and building lives with more stability. It made me pause and reflect, not just on what I wanted to do, but also on how I wanted to grow and contribute going forward.
Q: How did you deal with that setback?
Dealing with that setback wasn’t easy. But after taking some time to process the disappointment, I stepped back and asked myself a fundamental question: What truly motivates me? I’ve always had the skill of problem-solving and leadership, and I’ve always wanted to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. That reflection helped me see that these values weren’t exclusive to the civil services. There are other powerful avenues where I can create change, drive innovation, and work on complex challenges. That’s when I began to see management as a natural and exciting next step, one that aligns with both my skills and my purpose.
Q: That’s a remarkable transition. What have you learned from this journey?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that failure isn’t the end. It’s often just a redirect. We live in a world that tends to celebrate only the linear, picture-perfect success stories. But real growth often comes from the detours, the setbacks, and the moments when things don’t go as planned. From IIT to UPSC, and now looking toward IIM, each phase of my journey has taught me something unique, about perseverance, adaptability, and myself. The UPSC journey, in particular, taught me humility and resilience: how to pick yourself up, reflect, and move forward with clarity. More than anything, I’ve learned that staying true to what genuinely motivates you is far more powerful than chasing what simply “looks” successful from the outside.
Q: Any advice for others who are preparing for UPSC or thinking about switching paths?
If you’re preparing for UPSC and find yourself thinking about switching paths, know that it’s completely okay to change direction. Choosing to step away doesn’t mean your efforts were wasted. The knowledge, discipline, analytical thinking, and mental resilience you build during UPSC preparation are assets that carry over into almost any field. It’s easy to feel stuck or guilty about moving on, but your journey is yours alone; not a race, and definitely not one-size-fits-all. If a different path excites you or feels more aligned with your strengths and values, trust yourself enough to explore it.
Q: What was your preparation strategy and percentile in CAT?
I secured a 99.92 percentile in CAT 2024. Until the first week of October, I was fully engaged in my civil services preparation, having appeared for the Mains examination, which typically spans from the last week of September to early October. The year 2024 was particularly turbulent due to some personal challenges, and the demanding nature of the UPSC Prelims in June followed by the Mains left me mentally and physically exhausted. Recognizing the need to recharge, I consciously took a break through October. I spent meaningful time with friends and family, caught up on OTT content I had missed during the year, and travelled a bit to unwind and reset. Although CAT remained on my mind, I only began lightly solving a few LRDI and QA questions in mid-October. My focused preparation, however, began in earnest from November 1.
Making it into IIM Bangalore: CAT Prep with a job
Q: Are you saying you secured that percentile with 3 weeks of preparation?
Absolutely not! That statement needs a lot of context. This wasn’t my first attempt at the CAT. I had previously appeared for the exam in 2020 during my final year at IIT BHU, securing a 99.54th percentile. At the time, I considered pursuing an MBA as a backup option due to the uncertainty around campus placements during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I eventually received job offers from reputed companies such as MasterCard, PhonePe, and LG Ad Solutions, and chose to enter the workforce instead. Despite not pursuing an MBA back then, I retained all my preparation material and notes. Over the years, especially while preparing for the CSAT component of the UPSC Prelims, which shares a similar format with sections of the CAT, I continued to engage with that material periodically. Therefore, when I decided to attempt CAT 2024, I wasn’t starting from scratch. My preparation in the three weeks leading up to the exam was highly focused and revision-oriented. I concentrated on solving questions in a timed manner, revisiting key concepts, and rigorously attempting mocks and previous year papers. This strategic approach, backed by my prior experience, helped me secure a 99.92 percentile.
Q: Any final words? Particularly for those people who are navigating uncertainty in their career or life in general?
Don’t be afraid to evolve. Your journey might not go exactly as planned, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less meaningful. Keep learning, keep showing up, and trust that your story is still unfolding. If you’re in the middle of switching paths, here’s something important to remember: it’s okay to change direction. There’s a common belief that there are set paths to success or respect. But that mindset can be harmful. Life isn’t about chasing one job or one title. It’s about building something that’s meaningful to you. At the end of the day, you have to look after yourself and your loved ones, stay mentally and physically healthy, and nurture your relationships. A fulfilling life is one where you’re financially stable, emotionally content, and surrounded by good people, and not necessarily one where you’ve cracked an exam. Do what’s best for you, based on your own genius. If you’d like to talk more about your profile or need help figuring things out, feel free to reach out to me on Topmate and LinkedIn
Interview by Saloni Baweja
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