Anirudh Pandey, the son of a retired Military Engineering Services officer, travelled around a lot as a child due to his father’s postings. Having studied in locations such as Pune, known as a hub for education, he was exposed to different study circles and career counselling. The family eventually relocated to Prayagraj. The wide exposure, together with his dedication and hard effort, may have contributed to his success in the UPSC CS Examination 2022 with an AIR 64!
Indian Masterminds spoke exclusively to him to know more about his journey.
BACKGROUND
Anirudh completed his graduation in Civil Engineering from MNNIT, Allahabad in 2019. It was during his graduation days that he made up his mind to crack the UPSC CSE and become an IAS officer. Not delaying his dream, he immediately set his mind to rigorous preparation right after his college got over.
“There are a few civil servants in my family. I had been observing them since childhood and was always fascinated by their work and lifestyle. During my graduation, when I witnessed so many of my classmates preparing for the examination, I decided to go for it, and here I am!” Anirudh shared with Indian Masterminds.
PCS TO IAS
This was Anirudh’s fourth attempt at UPSC. Previously, he had cleared the 2020 PCS Exam and was appointed as a minority officer. He gave the exam again in 2021 and got selected as a Naib Tehsildar. He attempted a third shot in 2022 PCS and was appointed as a Deputy SP, this time. His determination to become an IAS officer was so strong that he kept giving the civil services exam simultaneously and ultimately cracked it in his fourth attempt.
“I wanted to crack CSE from the beginning. I gave the PCS exams as a backup but my heart was always set at IAS,” he shared.
PREPARATION
Anirudh chose PSIR as his optional subject and he chose it as it has a great degree of overlap with GS subjects along with a limited syllabus and high ‘marks-catching’ potential.
He wasn’t able to clear the Prelims on his first attempt and the Mains on his second and third attempts at CSE. For his final attempt, Anirudh tried to identify his shortcomings and practised as much as he could. He dedicated most of his days to practising answer writing and revising thoroughly, which benefitted him immensely.
He was asked questions related to the nationalisation of inter-state reserves and how to decentralize banking systems which he found a tad bit difficult to answer, but did it nevertheless, with utmost confidence.
FUTURE PLANS
Being a civil engineering graduate, Anirudh wants to contribute his best to the industrial revolution going on in the country, currently. He would especially like to focus on the infrastructural development of the country and utilize his technical skills to the fullest.
