Animesh Pradhan Biography, UPSC AIR 2, Education, Preparation Strategy 

Animesh Pradhan, UPSC AIR 2 (2023), is an inspiring IAS officer from Odisha. His dedication, strategic preparation, and resilience helped him achieve success in his first attempt. Check details below.

Animesh Pradhan Biography: Animesh Pradhan’s story is a great inspiration for UPSC aspirants. Securing All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the 2023 UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) was a result of his hard work, strategic preparation, and perseverance. His achievement stands out because he cleared the UPSC exam in his first attempt, although some sources suggest he cleared it in his second attempt. 

Regardless of the number of attempts, his success story serves as a model for every UPSC aspirant, especially those facing personal challenges. This post will cover the life, education, and preparation strategies that helped Animesh Pradhan secure one of the highest ranks in UPSC.

Also Check: Junaid Ahmed 

Who is Animesh Pradhan?

Animesh Pradhan is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who secured the second rank in the 2023 UPSC Civil Services Examination. He hails from Talcher, a small town in the Angul district of Odisha. His journey from a small village to one of the most prestigious examinations in India reflects his dedication and perseverance. Animesh’s success story is a lesson in hard work, resilience, and the power of strategic planning.

Animesh Pradhan (IAS) Date of Birth

Animesh Pradhan was born in 2001 and is 23 years old as of 2024. His young age and early success in the UPSC exam inspire many young aspirants who aim to achieve their dreams of joining the civil services at a relatively young age.

Animesh Pradhan’s Personal Life

Animesh Pradhan comes from a simple and humble background. His father worked in a government job, and his mother was highly educated. Unfortunately, Animesh’s father passed away when he was in Class 11, and his mother, who had been his main emotional support, passed away just a month before the UPSC results were announced. 

Despite these heartbreaking personal losses, Animesh stayed focused on his goal of becoming an IAS officer. He received emotional and mental support from his sister, who works in the Horticulture Department.

The strong moral and emotional foundation provided by his parents helped Animesh stay resilient, even in the face of adversity. His family’s support played a vital role in his success.

Also Check: Anu Kumari

What is the Qualification of Animesh Pradhan?

Animesh Pradhan is highly qualified. He completed his schooling from DAV Public School, MCL Kalinga Area, in Odisha, where he excelled in his academics. He scored a perfect 10 CGPA in his 10th grade and 98.8% in his 12th grade. After high school, he pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela. He graduated in 2021 with a CGPA of 9.17.

Animesh’s strong academic performance, particularly in technical subjects, helped him develop an analytical mindset, which was beneficial during his UPSC preparation.

Animesh Pradhan Professional Background

Before becoming an IAS officer, Animesh worked as an Information System Officer with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). In his role at IOCL, he contributed to the company’s digital transformation efforts, including a project called iDRIVE, which aimed to digitize operations across the organization. Working at IOCL allowed Animesh to understand how large government organizations function. It also helped him build a sense of responsibility and gave him a better understanding of governance, which fueled his desire to join the Indian Administrative Service.

Despite having a well-paying job at IOCL, Animesh decided to pursue his dream of joining the civil services and started preparing for UPSC full-time.

Also Check: Nandini KR

Animesh Pradhan – UPSC Rank & Preparation Strategy

Animesh Pradhan secured AIR 2 in the UPSC CSE 2023. His success is the result of a carefully crafted preparation strategy and his consistent hard work. The following section will discuss his preparation strategy in detail, covering the various stages of the UPSC exam: Prelims, Mains, and the Interview.

1. Prelims Strategy

For the Prelims, Animesh focused on accuracy and minimizing mistakes. He started with NCERT textbooks to build a strong foundation. Once he had a good grasp of the basic concepts, he moved on to standard books for each subject. Animesh also made use of mock tests and previous year’s question papers (PYQs) to practice and get a feel of the exam format. He placed a special emphasis on current affairs and focused on revising them frequently.

For the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), Animesh worked on reasoning and reading comprehension, preparing well in advance. He took around 30-35 mock tests before the Prelims to improve his accuracy and time management.

2. Mains Strategy

The Mains exam was another area where Animesh’s strategy paid off. He began writing answers from the very first day of his preparation. He focused on presenting his answers clearly and logically. 

For each answer, he ensured that it had a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Animesh also used diagrams, flowcharts, and tables to make his answers visually appealing and easier to understand.

He focused on current affairs in a big way, and every week he reviewed the latest developments through current affairs PDFs. Additionally, he created concise notes for each topic, which helped him during revisions.

3. Sociology as the Optional Subject

Animesh chose Sociology as his optional subject, despite his engineering background. Sociology interested him because it helped him understand the dynamics of society. For preparation, Animesh referred to books by prominent authors like Nitin Sangwan and used notes from previous year’s toppers. He also practiced answer writing regularly for Sociology, which helped him perform well in the exam.

4. Interview Preparation

The final stage of the UPSC exam is the Personality Test (Interview). For the Interview, Animesh focused on his Detailed Application Form (DAF), as this is a critical part of the interview process. He also stayed updated with current affairs, both national and international. 

Animesh took several mock interviews, which helped him improve his communication and presentation skills. He learned to be confident and genuine, understanding that the Interview is more about assessing your personality than testing your knowledge.

How Many Attempts Did Animesh Pradhan Take?

There is some confusion about the number of attempts Animesh took to secure AIR 2. While many sources suggest he achieved this rank in his first attempt, others mention that he cleared the exam in his second attempt. 

According to some reports, he reached the interview stage in his first attempt but did not make it to the final list. Regardless of the exact number of attempts, Animesh’s story is a prime example of the importance of perseverance and learning from past attempts.

Key Elements of Animesh Pradhan’s Preparation

Several key aspects contributed to Animesh’s success:

• Time Management: Animesh worked full-time while preparing for the UPSC exam, which required excellent time management skills. He rented an apartment near his office to reduce commute time and dedicated specific hours for focused study.
• Self-Study Approach: Animesh followed a self-study approach, relying on books, notes, and online resources rather than classroom coaching. He used test series and topper notes to enhance his preparation.
• Focused and Structured Study: Animesh created a study timetable that balanced all three stages of the UPSC exam. He made sure to revise regularly and practiced answer writing from the start of his preparation.
• Mental and Physical Health: Animesh emphasized the importance of staying mentally and physically healthy during his preparation. He took time to relax, exercise, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Animesh Pradhan Biography FAQs

Who is Animesh Pradhan? 

Animesh Pradhan is an IAS officer who secured All India Rank 2 in the 2023 UPSC Civil Services Examination. He is from Talcher, Odisha, and holds a B.Tech in Computer Science from NIT Rourkela.

What is Animesh Pradhan’s Date of Birth? 

Animesh Pradhan was born in 2001, making him one of the youngest successful candidates in the 2023 UPSC exam.

What is the Qualification of Animesh Pradhan? 

Animesh Pradhan holds a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from NIT Rourkela, with a CGPA of 9.17.

What Was Animesh Pradhan’s Professional Background Before Joining IAS? 

Before preparing for UPSC, Animesh worked as an Information System Officer at IOCL, where he was involved in a digital transformation project.