The COVID-19 pandemic was a time of uncertainty for millions, but for Bengaluru-based air rifle shooter Tejas Krishna Prasad, it presented an unexpected opportunity. As one of India’s Tokyo Olympics probables, Tejas had trained tirelessly to represent his country globally. But when the pandemic put those dreams on hold, he took it as a chance to pursue another ambition: becoming a civil servant. He cleared UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 243.
LEVERAGING SPORTS SKILLS FOR CSE
Tejas credits his success at UPSC to the discipline, focus, and resilience he developed as a sportsperson. “Being a sportsperson helped me to stay focused and crack the civil services,” he shared, explaining that his background in sports gave him a unique edge in his preparation. Having chosen International Relations and Political Science as his optional subjects, he’s hopeful his rank will secure him a position in the IAS.
Reflecting on his UPSC interview, Tejas described it as an engaging discussion, mostly centered around sports. The panel asked about his shooting career and how sports can be improved in India. A question that stood out was about Andre Agassi’s autobiography, Open. “They asked me what three questions I would ask Agassi if I met him on a train and what answers I’d give if I were him. It was an interesting question, and I enjoyed it,” he recalled.
FROM OLYMPIC DREAMS TO CIVIL SERVICES AMBITIONS
Tejas’s journey to UPSC began unexpectedly. With competitions canceled due to COVID-19, he found himself with time to reassess his career path. “When COVID started, there were no competitions, and that’s when I thought I should try UPSC,” he said. He cleared the exam on his second attempt, focusing full-time on his studies after the Tokyo team was selected without him. His preparation was bolstered by guidance from Vinay Kumar, a retired income tax officer who provided mentorship and advice on tackling the demanding UPSC syllabus.
FAMILY SUPPORT
As the son of a retired businessman and Shylaja, an excise inspector and former hobby shooter, Tejas received strong support from his family, especially his mother. “My mother motivated me to aim for civil services, and the COVID-19 break came at the right time. If the shooting competitions were still happening, I wouldn’t have taken a break,” he admitted.
Tejas’s entry into shooting began in 2014, inspired by his mother’s love for the sport. By 2016, he was in the junior India squad, and by 2019, he was India’s No. 4 in air rifle shooting. His career highlights include representing India at the Beijing and Munich World Cups and being part of the senior national team from 2018 to 2020 under the guidance of coach Rakesh Manpat.
While Tejas has shifted focus to civil services, he doesn’t plan to leave shooting behind. “Of course, I want to continue shooting as a civil servant,” he said. Inspired by Suhas Yathiraj, an IAS officer who also excelled as a Paralympic badminton player, Tejas is confident he can pursue both passions. “I spoke with him, and he told me I can pursue sports even while discharging my official duties,” he added.
A VISION FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
Looking ahead, Tejas hopes his role in the bureaucracy will allow him to contribute to the development of sports in India. “I want to help create better opportunities for Indian athletes,” he said, reflecting on his journey and the challenges he faced. His unique blend of experience in competitive sports and his dedication to public service make him well-suited to advocate for policies that uplift Indian athletes.
For a marksman who once set his sights on an Olympic medal, the path to civil services was not the most obvious choice. But his journey shows how, sometimes, life’s unexpected turns lead us to fulfilling and impactful new paths.
