Buxar (Bihar): From studying under a lantern in a remote village to trekking mountains as part of India’s premier civil services training, IAS Anshuman Raj’s journey is a story of resilience, hard work, and relentless pursuit of a dream.
A 2020-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, Anshuman hails from the Buxar district of Bihar. His story stands as an example of what sheer determination and self-belief can achieve — even without the resources many consider essential for success.
LBSNAA Training: Building Administrators, Not Just Officers
Speaking about his time at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), IAS Anshuman shares that the training process is intensive and transformative.
“The LBSNAA Foundation Course enhances your personality. It’s more than academics — it’s about discipline, exposure, and empathy,” he said in an interview.
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Key highlights of the training include:
10-day Himalayan trek to build endurance and team spirit
Village visit to understand rural administration and ground realities
Daily 12-hour routine, beginning at 6 AM, including academic sessions, physical training, hobby classes, and workshops on topics like public administration, crowd management, and leadership
Phase II of the training includes district-level field training, allowing officers to get hands-on experience of administrative challenges in the real world.
A Journey Marked by Grit: Four Attempts, One Dream
Anshuman’s path to the IAS was anything but easy. He cleared UPSC in his fourth attempt — without formal coaching.
- 1st Attempt (2016): Cleared prelims, missed mains by a few marks
- 2nd Attempt: Reached interview stage but didn’t make the final list
- 3rd Attempt: Selected for Indian Revenue Service (IRS) — but IAS remained his goal
- 4th Attempt (2019): Secured AIR 107, got IAS and MP cadre
“Failing repeatedly was tough, but every setback taught me something. I was determined not to give up,” Anshuman recalls.
Education & Background: From Rural Roots to Marine Engineering
Anshuman’s early life was shaped by scarcity, but not by lack of ambition:
- Schooling: Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Buxar
- 12th Grade: JNV Ranchi
- Higher Studies: Degree in Marine Engineering
- Job: Took up private employment but felt unfulfilled
It was during his job that the dream of civil services took root. Despite financial constraints, he began preparing for UPSC on his own, relying on self-study, discipline, and perseverance.
Lessons from Anshuman Raj’s Journey
No coaching? No problem – Self-study, if done with sincerity, can still lead to UPSC success
- Failure isn’t final – Each attempt builds resilience and insight
- Rural background isn’t a limitation – It can, in fact, be a powerful motivator
- Training shapes character – LBSNAA doesn’t just produce officers, it grooms leaders
Inspiring the Next Generation
Today, Anshuman Raj serves in Madhya Pradesh, contributing to governance and public service. His journey continues to inspire thousands of aspirants, especially those from underprivileged or rural backgrounds.
“If I can do it, so can you. Resources help, but they are not everything. Your mindset, discipline, and reason for becoming an IAS officer matter the most.”
