Why Does Bengal Keep Producing UPSC Stars?
There is something special about West Bengal.
Maybe it is in calm of having tea by Ganga river in early morning. Maybe it is in old songs of Rabindranath Tagore that you can still hear in lanes of Kolkata. Or in rush of people at Howrah station or peace you feel when you watch sun rise in Darjeeling.
Every year West Bengal shows rest of India that it still knows how to dream & work quietly & strongly to make those dreams come true.
This year results of UPSC Civil Services Exam 2024 told us that story again.
Eleven people from West Bengal passed one of toughest exams in country. They worked hard, studied through many long nights & carried with them hopes of their families, their towns, their city & themselves.
Let us get to know them not just their ranks but who they are as people. Because behind every number is a real story.
West Bengal UPSC 2024 Toppers
Meghna Chakraborty (AIR 79)
Meghna’s journey is a testament to dedication. After formative years in Mumbai she returned to Kolkata completing her schooling at Modern High School. A graduate of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi with a master’s from JNU in politics & international relations Meghna dedicated 8-12 hours daily to her studies. Her time in Delhi for coaching followed by advanced preparations in Kolkata culminated in this success on her second attempt. Her aspiration is to to serve her home state of Bengal.
Sahars Kumar (AIR 153)
Sahars informed that he didn’t speak much during his UPSC prep but when he did it was with depth. After three failed attempts he resigned from his job took a final leap of faith & soared. There’s no big drama in his journey just a slow, steady rise. The kind that gives others hope.
Urmi Sinha (AIR 170)
From bustling lanes of Howrah Urmi’s story is one of silent determination. Her consistent efforts& unwavering focus have paved her path to success reflecting strength found in steadfast commitment.​
Amit Meena (AIR 320)
A resident of Salt Lake, Kolkata. He grew up witnessing impact of public service firsthand his father is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. However Amit chose not to rely on legacy alone. Instead he set out to forge his own path. Surrounded by workings of bureaucracy from an early age he was inspired not just to admire ystem but to become a part of it. His journey reflects beauty of dreams that are both inherited & independently earned.
Prativa Lama (AIR 461)
Prativa Lama a poised & determined Political Science graduate from Miranda House Delhi University exemplifies resilience & quiet strength. After successfully clearing West Bengal Civil Services (WBCS) examination in 2018 & serving with dedication she continued to pursue her long-standing aspiration of joining All India Services. Balancing a full-time job alongside her UPSC preparation she remained steadfast in her efforts. On her third attempt she achieved success in UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 an inspiring testament to perseverance & purpose.
Paramita Malakar (AIR 477)
Paramita symbolizes strength of Kolkata’s academic spirit. Behind her success likely lies a pattern of hard work, discipline & countless hours spent reviewing notes all of which reflect her dedication & effort.
Aashish Kumar (AIR 489)
Aashish might hail from Bihar but it was Kolkata that gave him ecosystem to thrive. Working in city while preparing he used every spare moment to push forward. His story is a reflection of how urban hubs like Kolkata have become sanctuaries for aspirants across India offering not just opportunity but hope.
Raunak Sharma (AIR 659)
Medicine to civil service is not a common switch but Raunak made it. A doctor at AIIMS Delhi he gave up scalpel to serve society through a different lens. Rooted in Kolkata his story raises one profound question: What does service really mean? For Raunak it was about transforming lives beyond operating table.
Zojila Dolkar Bhutia (AIR 765)
Already a public servant Zojila was working as Additional District Sub-Registrar in Kurseong. Cracking UPSC in her third attempt she showed that there’s always a next chapter. Zojila’s journey bridges space between grassroots governance & national policy & her rise from Darjeeling’s slopes to India’s steel spine of civil service is inspiring.
Rajdeep Ghosh (AIR 789)
At just 25, Rajdeep is one of youngest in this list. A Chemistry Honours graduate from RKM Residential College he prepared with APTI PLUS best UPSC Coaching in Kolkata. His story shows that formula is not just in chemistry books but in consistency, coaching & clarity.
Rishita Das (AIR 840)
From Chuchura a town often out of UPSC limelight Rishita rose quietly. Her result is a powerful reminder that you don’t need to be in Delhi to crack UPSC. With right mindset & method success can be engineered from anywhere.
Praveen Kumar (AIR 837)
Originally from Bihar but based in Kolkata for work Praveen like Aashish benefited from Bengal’s academic & preparatory atmosphere. His inclusion in this narrative is important for it shows Kolkata isn’t just producing talent it’s hosting & nurturing it too.
At APTI PLUS IAS Coaching in Kolkata test based learning model, PYQ analysis & high quality mock series help students develop quick recall, intelligent elimination techniques & precision in answering MCQs.
Why Kolkata is becoming New Hotspot for UPSC Aspirants
The growing popularity of IAS Coaching in Kolkata can be attributed to several factors that create perfect environment for rigorous UPSC preparation.
An Evolving Educational Landscape
Unlike decade ago when Delhi was primary hub for IAS coaching Kolkata has revolutionized its approach. Today city boasts world class IAS coaching institutes that offer structured courses, expert mentorship as well as personalized training.
Rise of Digital Learning
With institutes now integrating high tech driven analytics, online mentorship as well as hybrid coaching models Kolkata is at forefront of UPSC preparation innovations. Top IAS coaching centers in Kolkata provide personalized performance tracking, tech driven test analysis & virtual classes ensuring aspirants get best resources at their fingertips.
Affordable Yet High Quality Coaching
Compared to Delhi & Bengaluru cost of living in Kolkata is much lower. This affordability allows aspirants to access premium IAS coaching without burning hole in their pockets. From accommodation to study materials Kolkata provides budget friendly UPSC preparation experience.
Growing Community of UPSC Rank Holders
Kolkata UPSC success stories are growing. In recent years many toppers & high rankers have emerged from city proving that Kolkata is no longer an underdog in UPSC coaching landscape.
Academic Foundation with Rigorous Institutions
Kolkata is home to legacy institutions like
Presidency University Famous for Economics, Political Science, History
Jadavpur University Known for Engineering & Humanities
St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta University Consistent toppers feeder institutes
These colleges offer exposure to research, debates, critical thinking & peer learning traits essential for cracking Mains & Interview rounds.
Regional + National + Global Exposure
Kolkata unique advantage is its blend of regional awareness & national issues with a global outlook. Many aspirants are fluent in multiple languages aware of regional socio economic issues & possess a balanced perspective on governance & development.
Kolkata influence has radiated outward into smaller towns like Durgapur, Siliguri, Howrah & Midnapore where satellite programs, online test series & mentorship hubs are growing.
These tier 2 hubs often participate in Kolkata based mock programs & come to city for test series, interviews & seminars.
Notable Rankers hailing from West Bengal in last few years
Year | Name | All India Rank | Hometown |
2021 | Ankita Agarwal | Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 | Kolkata |
2021 | Shubham Shukla | Â Â Â Â Â Â 43 | Dum Dum |
2021 | Abhijit Ray | Â Â Â Â Â Â 50 | Siliguri |
2023 | Ayushi Pradhan | Â Â Â Â Â Â 36 | Kolkata |
But beyond institutions it is these toppers who transform preparation into possibility.
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Conclusion
These stories are a testament to growing ecosystem in West Bengal from coaching institutes like APTI PLUS to educational powerhouses that are nurturing future administrators. With a rich history of producing civil servants West Bengal continues to hold its own on the national stage.
As the results inspire next generation let’s celebrate the hard work, discipline & commitment of these 11 individuals who dared to dream & succeeded.
These 11 achievers will now head towards LBSNAA, Mussoorie where they will train to be tomorrow’s change-makers. But their journeys began in our streets, schools, homes & dreams.
West Bengal salutes them not just for clearing an exam, but for daring to dream big, hard & relentlessly.