The UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 results are out and 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment to India’s prestigious civil services. Among them is Sai Raman Patra from Nayagarh, Odisha, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 285.
His journey is remarkable because he had already cleared the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Examination 2023 with Rank 37 before cracking UPSC. From a science student at IISER Kolkata to clearing two major civil service examinations, his journey shows focus, discipline and strong academic ability.
Sai Raman Patra AIR 285 Biography and Quick Profile
| Category | Details |
| Hometown | Gopalpur, Ranpur, Nayagarh, Odisha |
| Place of Birth | Raj-Sunakhalā, Nayagarh, Odisha |
| Educational Background | BS-MS Dual Degree in Geology, IISER Kolkata |
| Optional Subject | Geology |
| Medium of UPSC Exam | English |
| Language for Paper A | Odia |
| UPSC Exam Centre | Cuttack |
| UPSC Attempts | 1 |
| Previous Achievement | Rank 37 in Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) 2023 |
| Guidance in OPSC and UPSC | APTI PLUS Academy |
| Hobbies | Playing online chess, long walks, watching movies and web series |
Early Life: A Childhood Shaped by Teachers at Home
Sai Raman Patra was born on 12 March 2000 in Raj-Sunakhala village in Nayagarh district of Odisha. He grew up in Gopalpur near Ranpur.
Education was always important in his family. His father Hrushikesha Patra works in the teaching profession and serves as a Headmaster. His mother Prasanti Patra is also an educator and retired as a Headmistress.
Growing up in a family of teachers created a strong learning environment at home. From a young age, Sai Raman developed discipline, curiosity and respect for education.
From Strong School Scores to IISER Gold Medalist
Sai Raman’s academic performance was strong throughout his student life.
- 10th Grade: Gopalpur High School – 93.17% (Board of Secondary Education, Odisha)
- 12th Grade: Nayagarh Autonomous College – 88.5% (Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha)
- Graduation: BS-MS Dual Degree in Geology, IISER Kolkata – CGPA 9.66
At IISER Kolkata, he studied geological sciences and developed a strong understanding of earth systems and scientific research.
His academic excellence earned him the Director’s Gold Medal for securing the highest CGPA in the Department of Geological Sciences. He was also selected for a Visiting Fellowship to the University of Cambridge under the Royal Society International Collaboration Award.
However, while studying geology, Sai Raman realized that issues like natural resources, environment and disaster management require strong policy decisions. This inspired him to pursue the civil services to contribute through governance.
OAS Rank 37: Sai Raman’s first step before success in UPSC CSE
Before appearing for UPSC, Sai Raman had already cleared another major civil service exam.
He secured Rank 37 in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Examination 2023. This success showed his strong preparation and understanding of governance.
It also strengthened his confidence to aim for UPSC CSE.
UPSC Preparation Journey: Success in the First Attempt
Sai Raman Patra cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in his first serious attempt.
He appeared for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination in 2024, cleared the Mains examination, and finally qualified the UPSC Personality Test. His performance earned him AIR 285 in UPSC CSE 2025.
His preparation focused on:
- Daily Current Affairs for UPSC preparation.
- Daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains.
- Regular revision of UPSC General Studies topics.
- Solving UPSC Prelims mock tests and previous year questions.
- Using standard UPSC study materials and current affairs books.
This simple but disciplined strategy helped him succeed.
Sai Raman Patra optional subject strategy – Geology
Sai Raman chose Geology as his optional subject. This was a natural choice because he had already studied the subject in depth during his BS-MS degree at IISER Kolkata.
His preparation included:
- Revising core geological concepts from his academic notes.
- Practicing diagram-based answers.
- Writing structured explanations for descriptive questions.
This helped him present clear and precise answers in the UPSC Mains examination.
Image: Testimonial by Sai Raman Patra, Rank 285 in UPSC CSE 2025
OPSC and UPSC CSE Preparation: Guidance from APTI PLUS
Sai Raman Patra received guidance from APTI PLUS throughout his preparation journey, both for OPSC and later for UPSC.
The General Current Affairs Books of APTI PLUS also helped in a major way for both OPSC and UPSC.
For the UPSC Personality Test, APTI PLUS provided:
- Detailed DAF analysis based on his academic background and achievements.
- One-to-one mock interview sessions to simulate the UPSC board environment.
- Feedback to improve clarity, confidence and structured answers.
Sai Raman acknowledged that the mentorship and structured guidance from APTI PLUS played an important role in his preparation journey. He also expressed the hope that more aspirants get the opportunity to receive the valuable guidance offered by APTI PLUS in their UPSC journey.
Leadership Roles and Activities at IISER Kolkata
Sai Raman was also active outside academics during his college years.
He served as:
- Outreach Coordinator of the “Ek-Pehal” initiative at IISER Kolkata
This role involved outreach activities and student engagement. It helped him develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
Hobbies that helped him stay balanced
Preparing for UPSC requires long hours of study. Sai Raman believes hobbies helped him maintain balance.
- Playing Online Chess: Helped him in improving focus and strategic thinking.
- Long Walks: Kept him relaxed and helped him in refreshing his mind.
- Watching Movies and Web Series: This was a short way to take short breaks during preparation
These activities helped him in staying mentally fresh during the long preparation journey.
Lessons from Sai Raman Patra’s UPSC Journey
Sai Raman’s journey offers important lessons for aspirants.
- Strong basics are important to score good marks
Clear concepts help in both Prelims and Mains. - Use your academic background if you are confident
Choosing Geology as optional helped him use his strengths. - Quality of Guidance and mentoring matter
Structured support from mentors can improve preparation. - Stay disciplined and consistent throughout your journey
Regular study and revision lead to steady progress.
From IISER Scholar to AIR 285 in Civil Services
Sai Raman Patra’s success shows how clarity of purpose, strong academics and steady effort can lead to great achievements.
From being a Gold Medalist at IISER Kolkata to securing OAS Rank 37 and later AIR 285 in UPSC CSE 2025, his journey inspires aspirants to stay focused and believe in their goals.
FAQs
Who is Sai Raman Patra?
Sai Raman Patra is a civil services aspirant from Nayagarh, Odisha who secured AIR 285 in UPSC CSE 2025.
What was Sai Raman Patra’s optional subject?
His optional subject was Geology.
Where did Sai Raman Patra study?
He completed a BS-MS Dual Degree in Geology from IISER Kolkata.
Did Sai Raman Patra clear any other civil service examination?
Yes. He secured Rank 37 in the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) Examination 2023 before clearing UPSC.
