https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Father’s Vision, Son’s Ambition: The Making of IAS Officer Akshay Sunil Agrawal

2019 batch IAS officer Akshay Sunil Agrawal cleared UPSC CSE 2018 with AIR 43 in his first attempt From Odisha cadre, he is currently posted as ADM in Mayurbhanj, Odisha He has created a YouTube channel, offering a treasure trove of content for aspirants
Indian Masterminds Stories

Dreams often echo through the narrow lanes and picturesque landscapes. One such dream, however, was not merely a whimsical fantasy but a carefully nurtured aspiration passed down through generations. Meet Akshay Sunil Agrawal, a 2019-batch IAS officer, whose journey from a small town in Maharashtra to Singapore, and then back to his town, is nothing short of a demonstration of strategic planning, and a deep-rooted desire to serve the nation.

Currently serving in Odisha as ADM, Mayurbhanj, Mr. Agarwal’s journey towards the coveted Indian Administrative Service began with the fervent wish of his father, who envisioned his son donning the prestigious role of a collector.

FATHER’S ASPIRATION

The seeds of ambition were sown in his mind during his school days when his father introduced him to the world of IAS officers and the impact they could have on society. “Though the dream took a backseat during college and work life, it was reignited when my father asked me to pursue the UPSC exam,” Mr. Agrawal shared with Indian Masterminds

Born and raised in Shirpur, Maharashtra, he ventured beyond his hometown to pursue Mechanical Engineering at the College of Engineering in Pune. His academic journey then led him to the global city-state of Singapore, where he pursued a Master’s degree in Economics from the National University of Singapore. After successfully completing his studies, he joined a Policy Think Tank named the Center for Asian Globalisation, where he worked for over a year.

The turning point came when Mr. Agrawal made the life-altering decision to return to India and give the UPSC exam. With just a few months to prepare for the prelims in June 2018, he dedicated himself to rigorous study, leveraging the foundation laid during his brief preparation period in Singapore. Despite the time constraints, his focused approach bore fruit as he cleared the exam on his first attempt, securing an All India Rank of 43.

PREPARATION STRATEGY

“I feel that UPSC is just like any other exam,” Mr. Agrawal reflects, emphasizing the importance of understanding the exam’s intricacies. With a meticulous approach, he delved into the vast syllabus, meticulously reviewing questions dating back to 1995. Inspired by the success stories of IAS toppers like Tina Dabi and Gaurav Agarwal, he crafted his own strategy and booklist, leveraging his expertise in economics as his optional subject.

His disciplined approach included meticulous planning, detailed calendars, and a commitment to staying ahead of the curve. He emphasized the significance of practice, solving numerous question papers for both prelims and mains, and honing his answer writing skills for the latter. Remarkably, he achieved this without enrolling in any formal coaching, relying instead on self-discipline and a deep understanding of the exam dynamics.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

But Mr. Agrawal’s story doesn’t end with his personal triumph. Committed to giving back, he created a YouTube channel, offering a treasure trove of content for aspirants. Recognizing the scarcity of quality content for economics, he produced 119 videos covering the entire prelims syllabus, becoming a guiding light for those navigating the challenging UPSC landscape.”I have covered the static portion in my videos,” he informed.

As IAS officer Akshay Sunil Agrawal continues to make a mark in the administrative landscape of India, his story stands as an inspiration for aspiring civil servants. From the global corridors of Singapore to the rustic charm of Shirpur, his unconventional journey underscores the essence of dedication, strategic planning, and the transformative power of dreams.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma
Real-Life Hero Honoured Onscreen: IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma Applauds ‘12th Fail’ After National Award Triumph
Department of Post
Banking Made Simpler: IPPB Rolls Out Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication for Inclusive Digital Access
Govt of West Bengal
West Bengal Govt Transfers 34 IFS Officers in Major Reshuffle; New Directors Appointed at Alipore & Darjeeling Zoos - Details Inside
himachal-pradesh
Himachal Govt Transfers 16 IAS Officers in Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle, C. Paulrasu Appointed Secy, Cooperatives, Horticulture & Agriculture
Tamilnadu-police-resized
PIL Filed in Madras High Court Seeking Timely Appointment of New Tamil Nadu DGP - Details Inside
IRS Officers ndian revenue Services
CBDT Announces Promotions of 5 Senior IRS Officers to Chief Commissioner Grade - Details Inside
CM mohan yadav
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav to Lay Foundation Stone for Four Industrial Units in Sehore on August 2
Reserve-Bank-of-India_RBI_resized
Two Years After Withdrawal, Rs2,000 Notes Worth Rs6,017 Cr Still with Public: RBI
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma
Real-Life Hero Honoured Onscreen: IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma Applauds ‘12th Fail’ After National Award Triumph
Department of Post
Banking Made Simpler: IPPB Rolls Out Aadhaar-Based Face Authentication for Inclusive Digital Access
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT