It all started in the small town of Rajgangpur, Sundargarh district, Odisha, where a young boy named Ankit Agrawal dreamed big. Little did anyone know, this boy from a modest family would one day crack one of India’s toughest exams– the UPSC Civil Services Exam- and secure All India Rank 217 in UPSC CSE 2025.
But Ankit’s journey was far from easy. It wasn’t just about studying; it was about learning from failures, staying motivated and balancing life with ambition.
Ankit Agrawal UPSC CSE 2025 Profile and Career
| Category | Details |
| Hometown | Rajgangpur, Sundargarh, Odisha |
| Present Residence | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Date of Birth | 24 January 1996 |
| Education | B.E. Mechanical Engineering |
| College | RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru |
| University | Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum |
| Optional Subject | Geography |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Indian Language Paper | Hindi |
| UPSC CSE Attempts | 6 |
| Examination Centre | Kolkata |
| Current Service | Probationer, IRS Customs & Indirect Taxes |
| Previous Job | Business Development Manager; Programmer Analyst Trainee |
| Hobbies | Cooking, football, console gaming |
| Interview Preparation | Mock interviews at APTI PLUS Academy |
Early Life and Schooling of Ankit Agrawal from Odisha
Born on 24 January 1996, Ankit grew up in a home where discipline and hard work were everyday lessons. His father, Kamal Kumar Agrawal, ran a business and his mother, Baby Agrawal, was the guiding force at home.
Schooling at Yugchetna Public School, Bhilai, was more than academics. Ankit became House Captain, led social initiatives and discovered the importance of teamwork and responsibility.
These early experiences taught him that leadership and persistence matter just as much as intelligence-a lesson he would carry through every UPSC attempt.
Academic and Professional Background: Engineering to IRS Officer
After completing B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Ankit explored the corporate world before fully committing to UPSC:
- Programmer Analyst Trainee at Cognizant – honed analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Business Development Manager at SmartServ India – developed management, planning and communication abilities.
Even while excelling professionally, a part of him kept looking towards a bigger dream: the UPSC CSE exam.
UPSC Preparation Strategy of Ankit Agrawal
Ankit didn’t succeed on his first try. In fact, it took six attempts from 2020 to 2025 for him to reach his dream rank. Each attempt brought lessons. Ankit’s UPSC journey is a testament to perseverance:
- 2020: Cleared prelims but stumbled in Mains.
- 2021: Cleared prelims and Mains but fell short in the interview.
- 2022: Rank didn’t meet expectations despite strong preparation.
- 2023: Cracked UPSC, joined IRS Customs & Indirect Taxes, but still aimed higher.
- 2024: Continued UPSC preparation while serving as IRS officer.
- 2025: Achieved AIR 217 with experience, strategy and confidence.
Through these six attempts, he learned to refine strategies, manage time and strengthen both academics and personality. Mock interviews at APTI PLUS Academy played a big role. They helped him answer questions confidently, handle tricky situations and discuss his background and work experience clearly.
Why Ankit Chose Geography as UPSC Optional
Though he had an engineering background, Ankit chose Geography as his optional. Why?
- It overlapped with General Studies topics, giving him a strategic advantage in Mains.
- It helped him understand society, environment and government policies.
- Most importantly, he enjoyed the subject, from maps to case studies.
This combination of interest + strategy made him a confident candidate in both Mains and interview stages.
Balancing UPSC Preparation with Hobbies and Extracurricular Activities
Even during UPSC preparation, Ankit balanced life with:
- Sports: Mini football, 4×400 meters relay
- Leadership: Social projects and school/college roles
- Hobbies: Cooking, console gaming, watching football
These activities helped him stay balanced, focused and calm during stressful preparation times.
Key Lessons from Ankit Agrawal’s UPSC CSE 2025 Journey
- Never give up – Persistence pays, even after multiple failures.
- Learn from experience – Professional life and past attempts add depth.
- Choose optional smartly – Interest + strategy works best.
- Personality matters – Leadership, hobbies and communication skills matter as much as knowledge.
From Rajgangpur to AIR 217: Ankit Agrawal UPSC Success Story
Ankit Agrawal’s journey is proof that dreams can come true with patience, strategy and hard work. From a small town in Odisha to the IRS cadre and then achieving AIR 217 while serving, he shows that learning from failures, preparing smartly and building a well-rounded personality are keys to cracking the exam.
His journey inspires aspirants across India: with determination, consistent effort and the right guidance, even the toughest goals are achievable.
FAQs
Who is Ankit Agrawal?
He is a UPSC CSE 2025 topper with AIR 217 and a Probationer in IRS Customs & Indirect Taxes.
What was his optional subject?
Geography.
Which college did he attend?
RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru.
How many UPSC attempts did he make?
Six attempts from 2020 to 2025.
How did APTI PLUS Academy help him?
Through mock interviews, personality development and detailed guidance for DAF questions.
