https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rethinking Urban Governance: IAS Abhinav Gopal’s Vision for a Better Ghaziabad 

"Civil services, for me, was a calling. It’s a journey that began in my childhood and was nurtured through my experiences," he says. Read the full article to learn more…
Indian Masterminds Stories

Born and raised in Uttar Pradesh, IAS officer Abhinav Gopal grew up hearing stories about the significance of public service and governance. These early impressions of the impact that civil services can have on people’s lives motivated him to pursue this path, although it took a few years to solidify his decision.

IIT TO UPSC

As a student, he consistently aimed for excellence. After excelling in his school years, Abhinav decided to pursue engineering at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Reflecting on his decision, he shares: “When we were young, we were always told that if you want to achieve something, go for the best. I chose IIT because it was the best option for engineering,” Mr. Abhinav Gopal, who is posted as CDO Ghaziabad, told Indian Masterminds.

During his time at IIT, Mr. Gopal was exposed to much more than just technical education. He took leadership roles in organizing cultural and technical festivals, participated in sports as captain of the water polo team, and even explored subjects like sociology and the Indian freedom struggle. “In IIT, you don’t just study engineering; you get a taste of so many things. It gave me a broader perspective on life,” he recalls.

Though initially focused on bioengineering, he soon realized that his true interests lay elsewhere. After internships with NGOs and government departments, including a stint with the ICDS program in Banka, Bihar, he found a new sense of purpose. These internships made him realize that he was enjoying this work. It gave him a sense of satisfaction, and Mr. Gopal knew this is what he wanted to do.

With a clearer goal in mind, he decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Despite the challenges, he persevered and eventually succeeded in his third and fifth attempts, securing both the Indian Forest Service (IFS) and Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) ranks before finally entering the IAS.

Driving Change in Ghaziabad: Education Initiatives

Now posted as CDO in Ghaziabad, Mr. Gopal has been actively implementing innovative solutions to tackle the district’s challenges. One of his primary focus areas has been improving the education system, particularly increasing attendance in government schools.

In urban areas like Ghaziabad, migratory populations pose a challenge to consistent school attendance. To address this, the officer and his team have introduced a “Parent-Teacher Meeting” (PTM) model, similar to those in private schools, which has strengthened communication between teachers, parents, and students. “We’ve seen a 15% increase in attendance over the past four months due to these efforts,” says Mr. Gopal.

His team is also working under the “NIPUN Bharat” initiative, aimed at improving foundational learning for children by Class 3. They’ve introduced a scheme called Sandarshika, which standardizes lesson plans and homework, ensuring that every teacher knows exactly what to teach on any given day. This has helped target students who have fallen behind, further improving overall learning outcomes.

Tackling Water Scarcity with Industry Support

“Ghaziabad is facing an impending water crisis, with groundwater levels critically low. Recognizing the need for urgent action, we have spearheaded a water conservation initiative in collaboration with local industries,” Mr. Gopal informed Indian Masterminds. As per the Groundwater Act, industries are required to recharge twice the amount of groundwater they extract. The officer divided the entire city into clusters, with each cluster assigned to specific industries. 

His team provided standard designs and estimates for recharging groundwater, making the process more efficient and streamlined. As a result, they have successfully created over 150 “Amrit Sarovars” (water reservoirs) across the district. “This initiative is having a significant impact, not only on water conservation but also on the overall environment,” he adds.

Health Sector: Innovations in Newborn Care

In the health sector, IAS Abhinav Gopal is pioneering a unique initiative to improve care for newborns. Inspired by the Kangaroo Mother Care method practiced in leading hospitals like Safdarjung, his team is implementing an innovative approach at the local Mother and Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) in Ghaziabad. “In traditional settings, a sick newborn is placed in an incubator, separated from the mother. But we are changing that by allowing the mother to stay next to the incubator, ensuring immediate skin-to-skin contact,” he says. This method promotes faster recovery and better bonding between mother and child.

Ghaziabad’s MNCU is only the second place in India to adopt this method, and it is already yielding promising results. “This approach is not just about better healthcare; it’s about humanizing the treatment process,” Mr. Gopal emphasizes.

Reviving Sports Infrastructure

With a keen interest in sports, he is also leading efforts to revitalize Ghaziabad’s sports infrastructure. The city’s three swimming pools, built over a decade ago, had become non-functional. “We’ve secured funding of ₹12 crores, and work has already started to bring these pools back to life,” he notes. The plan includes establishing an Olympic-size swimming pool, a diving pool, and a learner pool at the Mahamaya Stadium, which will significantly enhance the city’s sports facilities.

Conclusion

From improving education and water conservation to making innovative strides in healthcare and sports, IAS Abhinav Gopal is driving positive change in Ghaziabad. His leadership, shaped by experiences in IIT, internships with government departments, and a clear sense of purpose, is making a significant difference in the lives of those he serves. “Civil services, for me, was a calling. It’s a journey that began in my childhood and was nurtured through my experiences,” he says, reflecting on the path that led him to where he is today.


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