PRAVEEN KUMAR UPSC 2020-21 Rank-7

Praveen Kumar, from Jamui in Bihar, secured AIR 7 in UPSC CSE 2020. Coming from a middle-class background, his father runs a medical store, and his mother is a homemaker. He completed his schooling at Ramakrishna Vivekananda Vidya Mandir, Jamui, and later pursued B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur. Before cracking the civil services, Praveen had already shown his academic prowess by securing AIR 5 in GATE 2018 and AIR 3 in the Indian Engineering Services (ESE) the same year. He briefly worked in the Indian Railways before joining IAS in his second UPSC attempt.

Quick Information Table:

Praveen Kumar is a graduate of IIT Kanpur, where he completed his B.Tech in Civil Engineering in 2017. His strong academic foundation in engineering helped him not only excel in competitive exams but also choose Civil Engineering as his optional subject in UPSC, leveraging his pre-existing knowledge and notes.

Praveen Kumar hails from a modest middle-class family in Jamui, Bihar. His father runs a medical store, providing for the family, while his mother is a homemaker. His upbringing in a small town, combined with a strong work ethic, motivated him to pursue higher education and eventually a career in public service.

Praveen Kumar’s desire to join the civil services stemmed from his belief that the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) offers a unique platform to engage in public service and work for societal upliftment. He emphasized that civil services provide vast opportunities to think innovatively and address societal challenges. For instance, he proposed setting up subsidized canteens for the poor, an initiative that would provide affordable meals while employing the needy. His drive to serve the public and create meaningful changes motivated him to pursue the UPSC exam.

Marks Obtained:

Praveen’s journey wasn’t without its hurdles. Despite excelling in engineering, he faced the daunting challenge of transitioning into civil services, a field requiring a broader understanding of social issues. He cleared GATE and ESE before attempting UPSC, which helped him maintain resilience. The first attempt at UPSC didn’t bring him success, but his strong academic foundation and ability to manage time well proved crucial in his second attempt. Praveen also stresses the importance of handling failure gracefully, having cleared multiple exams before reaching his goal​.