https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Son Follows IAS-IPS Parents Into Civil Service

Akshay Pillay, whose parents are bureaucrats, cleared CSE 2021 by securing the top rank of 51.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Coming from a privileged background, as both parents are top bureaucrats, Akshay Pillay from Chhattisgarh bagged a top rank in the UPSC 2021 Civil Services Exam. He secured an All-India Rank 51 to emerge as one of the toppers in the exam. It is generally thought of that children of bureaucrats have an upper hand in clearing this tough examination. But, it was hard work that ultimately proved to be the most reliable way, as Akshay took four years to clear all the stages to enter his name in the final list.

Akshay completed his schooling from Rajkumar College, Raipur and then went on to study Mechanical Engineering from NIT, Raipur. Since his parents were bureaucrats, he planned on appearing for the UPSC exam very early in his life.

IMPROVED WITH EVERY STAGE

Akshay completed his Mechanical Engineering in the year 2017 and wasted no time in gearing up for the UPSC preparation. He had this in mind from the very beginning, and motivation also came from the whole family, including his mother, father and sister.

His mother Renu Pillay is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Technical Education, Govt of Chhattisgarh, whereas his father Sanjay Pillay is an IPS officer and is serving as ADGP in Chhattisgarh Police.

In an interview to media, Akshay said that initially he lacked proper guidance and understanding of some subjects which were mostly related to General Studies. “I initially thought that self-study would be enough. But after three attempts, I understood that I needed support in a few subjects and then started looking for resources that could help me.”

In the first two attempts, he managed to clear the preliminary stage. However, he failed to clear the mains stage. It would have been very disappointing for anybody but Akshay didn’t lose hope.

He said, “The improvement I was making in my preparation every year was the biggest part of motivation and results were being paid for by my hard work. Apart from this, my parents and sister supported a lot in this journey, which was a tough one but worth it.”

MADE IT FINALLY

Akshay appeared for the exam again in 2020 and this time it was more disappointing for him as he missed it by 2 marks. As his dream was to follow in his parents’ footsteps, he appeared for the exam again in 2021 and trusted his preparation to help him clear it this time.

The result day was a dream come true for Akshay, as he finally got rewarded for his hard work by making it to the final list with a top rank of 51.

Giving tips to clear the exam in front of the media, Akshay said, “My top three tips for cracking UPSC are: be familiar with the syllabus and question paper pattern, be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and choose the optional carefully, and revise.”

He further touched a very important point, which is, the stress of working 14-15 hours a day. He calls it unsustainable and not the right way to do it.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Lamchonghoi Sweety (L S) Changsan
Sweety Changsan IAS Takes Charge of Revenue, Tribal Affairs & ASDMA in Assam
chandrachud1
SC Administration Asks Ex-CJI Chandrachud to Vacate Official Bungalow After Deadline Lapses
cji-br-gavai-supreme-court
CJI Changes 64-Year-Old Rule, OBCs to Get Reservation in Supreme Court Recruitment
Screenshot 2025-07-06 092240
Global Firefly Count Begins with India’s Lead: Conservation Policy in the Works - Details Inside
Raj DGP
Rajasthan: New DGP Rajeev Sharma Aims to Make Rajasthan a Model for Policing in India – Know His Future Plans for Policing in State
Leopard Threat on Kanwar Yatra
UP: Leopard Threat Looms Over Kanwar Yatra in Bijnor; Administration Steps Up Vigil with Drones and Patrolling
Ladli Behna Yojana Housing
Ladli Behna Yojana: 1.30 Crore Urban Beneficiaries to Receive Houses Alongside Financial Aid, Announces MP CM Mohan Yadav
Mohan Yadav
Rs 8,682 MSP for Moong: CM Dr Mohan Yadav Requests 40% Procurement Amid Surge in Cultivation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-03 at 13.33
IRS Sanjay Bahadur: The Officer With a Pen That Bites | Video Interview
Inderjit Singh Air India
Is Air India Carrying The Burden of Split Before Privatisation?
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
Ex-IRS Officer C. Rajendiran Illuminates Thirukkural’s Timeless Wisdom in Exclusive Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS SHWETA BHARTI Bihar
From Wipro to Civil Services: How Bihar's IAS Shweta Bharti Juggled a BPSC Job While Preparing for UPSC
IAS Shweta Bharti, from rural Bihar, balanced a full-time job and UPSC prep with discipline, cracked...
IPS Deepak Meghani
Deepak Meghani, IPS: A Journey of Focus, Failure, and Quiet Discipline
A passionate writer, he has authored several books in Gujarati, ranging from exam strategy guides to...
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Social Media
PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu’s Visit to NADT Turns into a Wholesome Tribute to Legacy—and ‘Moolchandj
The Olympic champion shared nostalgic memories, met aspiring IRS officers, and sparked viral laughter...
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-05 at 18.56
Where a Mine Once Lay, Minds Now Grow, Thanks to An IPS with A Vision
Lamchonghoi Sweety (L S) Changsan
Sweety Changsan IAS Takes Charge of Revenue, Tribal Affairs & ASDMA in Assam
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-03 at 13.33
Inderjit Singh Air India
Ex IRS C Rajendiran
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT