https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A Scholar and An Author

From his early days in Chhattisgarh, Samrat Rahi showcased exceptional academic brilliance and a deep love for writing. Despite a demanding career as an IRS officer, Rahi successfully transitioned into becoming an accomplished author. Rahi's relentless pursuit of academic excellence led him to secure a prestigious Chevening scholarship and pursue a Master's degree in Public Policy and Management from King’s College, London.
Indian Masterminds Stories

A distinguished individual who has made significant strides in his career as an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, a Chevening scholar, and an accomplished author, Mr. Samrat Rahi’s journey is a testament to dedication, academic excellence, and a passion for knowledge sharing.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared details about his journey, focusing on his experiences as a Chevening scholar and author.

EARLY DAYS

Hailing from Chhattisgarh, Mr. Rahi displayed academic brilliance from a young age and harbored a love for writing. His participation in numerous writing competitions during school, where he garnered accolades and recognition, laid the foundation for his future literary endeavors.

“I used to feel very excited when my articles got published in the local newspapers. In school also, I was a meritorious student, and my articles received a lot of praise from everyone,” shared the officer.

Mr. Rahi’s diverse academic background, including experiences in government, public, and convent schools, provided him with a nuanced understanding of writing styles and diverse perspectives.

“At that time, we didn’t get a lot of pocket money, so I used to save my prize money coupons and reimburse them to get money. During my final year, I bought books with the same money and appeared for UPSC, but unfortunately, I couldn’t crack it. Later, I joined IBM as a software engineer but kept preparing for UPSC in the meantime,” he told Indian Masterminds.

AN AUTHOR IN MAKING

To his joy, the officer cracked the UPSC CSE in his second attempt and joined the IRS in Calcutta, as an Assistant Income Tax Commissioner. He continued there for a few years before receiving a promotion and being transferred to Pune in 2015.

His journey as an author began in Pune, where he penned his first book, “A Romantic Girl.” This romantic fiction novel delves into the life of Alia, portraying her journey from innocence to life-altering decisions.

Mr. Rahi’s storytelling prowess and ability to connect with readers have earned him praise and a dedicated readership. Despite his demanding professional commitments, he managed to carve out time to nurture his passion for writing, showcasing his dedication and time management skills.

“It’s interesting how I receive so many emails from people who have read my book, telling me how the book has touched their lives and hearts. The book received quite a good response, and I was very happy to witness that,” Mr. Rahi stated.

MANAGING TIME BETWEEN WORK AND PASSION

Because the income tax department is primarily office work, the officer could devote a significant amount of time after finishing his 10–6 to brainstorm and put his ideas into words for his book.

“We had a small family back then, so time management was simple. When the kids come into the picture, getting time out of your daily routine to pursue your interests becomes challenging since they take up most of your time, but I still try to grab a few moments of the day for myself,” Mr. Rahi explained.

ACHIEVING SCHOLARLY HEIGHTS

His passion to achieve great heights in life and do something different didn’t just stop there. He had the desire to study abroad. Even during his preparation for UPSC, he was studying to get into the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, but unfortunately could not.

Finally, his aspiration for academic excellence led him to secure a prestigious Chevening scholarship in 2019. He pursued a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from King’s College, London, expanding his horizons and gaining valuable insights into global policy frameworks. Along with Chevening, he also received a fellowship from the Royal College of Arts, London.

He then started applying for deputation and finally got appointed as Deputy Chairperson in the Kolkata Dock System, officially known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust (Also known as Kolkata Port Trust), under the Ministry of Port, Shipping, & Waterways in 2021, after he came back home from completing his scholarship.

“We only have 12 major ports in India which are administered by the Ministry and I feel fortunate enough to administer the Kolkata port,” shared Mr. Rahi.

ANOTHER FELLOWSHIP

In 2023, Mr. Rahi again received an opportunity to gain a fellowship from the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. It was a 21-day program, and people from 21 different countries participated in the program.

“I was representing India. Coincidentally, my topic of fellowship was related to Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness in Ports. People from different areas were nominated by the US Embassy, and I am glad that I got the opportunity to earn the fellowship,” he told Indian Masterminds.

The officer recommends everyone at least once experience the joy of studying abroad, as it’s a completely different picture and gives you a different experience from your usual life.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT