https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Breaking Barriers: UPSC Triumph of IFS Topper with Innovative Forest Fire Solutions Impressing Interviewers

P R Sarbajit, who cracked UPSC IFS with Rank 104 in his fourth attempt, pursued UPSC success through resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination against all odds.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Embarking on the journey toward a cherished dream often involves traversing through trials, setbacks, and triumphs. Such is the inspiring narrative of P.R. Sarbajit, a beacon of determination in the realm of civil service aspirants. With unwavering resolve, Sarbajit embarked on his odyssey in 2020, setting his sights on conquering the formidable UPSC exams, including both the Civil Services Examination (CSE) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS). Despite the daunting task of preparing for both with two optional subjects, Sarbajit refused to leave any stone unturned in the face of fierce competition.

His unwavering determination to serve as a civil servant led him down the road less traveled, even when it appeared the most daunting. Through four grueling attempts, he crafted a narrative of endurance, emerging from each trial with unwavering resolve and newfound wisdom – a living testament to the unyielding spirit of those who dare to pursue their dreams against all odds.

Despite initial setbacks, he relentlessly pursued his aspirations, refining his approach with each setback. Armed with diligence and a newfound strategic approach, he meticulously dissected the syllabus, crafting a blueprint for success. His dedication manifested in tireless hours of study, guided by a structured plan encompassing meticulous note-making and rigorous mock tests.

Finally, he conquered the UPSC IFS, cementing his status as a civil servant while keeping his sights set on the CSE. His journey epitomizes resilience, where setbacks merely serve as stepping stones toward eventual triumph.

Speaking exclusively with Indian Masterminds, he narrated his inspiring journey.

Smile of success: P R Sarbajit

FROM IIT TO IFS: THE LONGING JOURNEY

P. R. Sarbajit started his Civil Services preparation in 2020, making a total of four attempts in the UPSC, combining both the CSE and the IFS. Over these four attempts, he cleared the prelims three times for both CSE and IFS.

In his first attempt in 2020, he did not clear the prelims for either CSE or IFS. In his second attempt in 2021, he cleared the prelims for both exams but did not clear the mains.

In his third attempt in 2022, he cleared the mains for IFS but did not make it to the final list. He did not clear the mains for CSE that year.

In his fourth attempt in 2023, he cleared the mains for both exams. However, he missed the final list for CSE by 5 marks. Despite this, he successfully cracked the IFS exam, achieving an All India Rank of 104.

He said, “It was my childhood dream. I was raised in such a way that becoming a civil servant felt like a natural path for me. When I failed in earlier attempts, I was disheartened a little bit. I knew that I could crack it, so I changed my strategy and found out my weaknesses.”

P R Sarbajit, UPSC IFS 23, AIR 104

BACKGROUND

Sarbajit originally hails from Bijayanagar village in Kendrapara district in Odisha. His father works as an Executive Engineer at Paradeep Port Authority in Paradeep, while his mother is a homemaker. He has an elder brother who is a doctor at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

He completed his basic schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Paradeep up to the 10th grade. Then, he moved to Bhubaneswar and completed his 12th grade. After that, he graduated with a B.Tech. in civil Engineering from IIT Bombay in 2020.

With his mother

UPSC

This year, he changed his strategy and prepared systematically. Previously, he focused only on completing subjects and making notes. However, this time he approached his preparation with a structured plan, analyzing every aspect of the exam according to the syllabus’s requirements. He solved previous years’ questions (PYQs) to identify the types of questions that could appear in the exam, aligned with the syllabus. He then made concise notes, which proved helpful.

He emphasized the importance of mock tests, believing that creating an exam-like atmosphere while taking them is crucial. He planned his mock tests accordingly.

He explained that for the prelims, which is a two-hour exam, he aimed to finish in 1 hour and 50 minutes during practice. This improved his thinking speed, fact recollection, and overall synchronization with the exam’s pace.

For the mains, he employed a similar strategy. He considered multiple aspects of each topic and wrote answers from various perspectives. This comprehensive understanding helped him present his answers better.

He studied an average of eight hours daily. His optional subject for the CSE was Civil Engineering, while for the IFS, it was Forestry and Civil Engineering.

With his father at UPSC building

INTERVIEW

His interview lasted around 15 minutes. The board asked him about his hobby, which was microbial cultivation. They inquired where he practiced it and how he conducted his experiments.

Then, a member asked him about forest fires: what issues they present, and how he would address them. Given his engineering background, they wanted to know what technological solutions he could propose for forest fires. He replied, “By using Artificial Intelligence, satellite imagery, and remote sensing, we can identify hotspots and create better mapping. This allows us to take preventive measures with our resources before a forest fire occurs.” His answer seemed to satisfy the board members.

The board also asked him several technical questions about forestry and biodiversity. Additionally, there were a few questions based on his Detailed Application Form (DAF).

Being felicitated at Indian Oil Refinery

MESSAGE

Giving suggestions to UPSC aspirants, he said, “Don’t start preparations randomly or haphazardly. Do it in a structured manner, otherwise, you will lose valuable time. There should be an overall plan for your preparation, detailing how and when you will complete the topics in the syllabus. Consider how you will present your answers as well. This approach will give you confidence; otherwise, you might struggle to organize your efforts effectively.”

“This entire exam hinges on your confidence. So, stay confident and maintain consistency. Understanding previous years’ questions (PYQs) and the syllabus are crucial for this,” he added.

P R Sarbajit, IFS

Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT