Animesh Pradhan, Marksheet, Educational Background, Strategy

Animesh Pradhan secured All India Rank 2 (AIR 2) in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023, one of the most competitive exams in the country. What makes his achievement remarkable is that he accomplished this feat in his very first attempt—a rare accomplishment in the UPSC journey, which often takes aspirants multiple years to crack.

Beyond academics, Animesh has shown a vibrant personality with interests in debating, journalism, and freestyle dancing, highlighting his passion for both intellectual engagement and creative expression. His success story serves as an inspiration to thousands of aspirants, proving that dedication, a balanced lifestyle, and focused preparation can lead to exceptional results in even the toughest examinations.

Animesh Pradhan Educational Background

From an early age, Animesh Pradhan displayed a disciplined approach toward academics, consistently striving for excellence. He completed his schooling at DAV Public School, Odisha, achieving a 10 CGPA in 10th grade (2015) and scoring 98% in 12th grade (2017).

In 2021, Animesh graduated from NIT Rourkela with a 9.17 CGPA in Computer Science Engineering. During his time at NIT, he actively participated in the Student Media Body and served as its Chief Coordinator, which nurtured his passion for journalism and debating—two interests that would shape his personality and complement his preparation for civil services.

Animesh Pradhan Family Background

Animesh Pradhan grew up in a well-educated family with a strong background in humanities. His father, a political science lecturer, and his mother, a history postgraduate, fostered an intellectually stimulating environment at home. From an early age, he was exposed to subjects beyond science and technology. Additionally, his family, being dual-career, did not adhere to gender-defined roles, which shaped his progressive mindset.

A key life lesson he learned from his mother was the ability to turn challenges into opportunities, a principle that guided him throughout his journey. Animesh completed his foundational education in Odisha, laying the groundwork for his future academic and personal achievements.

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Animesh Pradhan Scorecard

Animesh Pradhan Preparation Strategy

Animesh Pradhan reflects that while his focused UPSC preparation lasted two years, his personality development was a gradual, organic process over time, which played a crucial role in his success. This evolving maturity compounded his chances of selection.

For Prelims:

Animesh relied on standard resources, such as:

• Indian Polity & Governance: M. Laxmikanth
• Ancient History: R.S. Sharma
• Medieval History & Art and Culture: Coaching compilations
• Geography: NCERT (Class 11-12)
• Economy: Coaching materials and YouTube videos
• Science & Technology & Current Affairs: Monthly magazines

He emphasized reading strategically to clear the exam rather than accumulating general knowledge. Close to the exam (March to May), he focused heavily on revising current affairs and practicing with previous years' questions (PYQs) and test series. For CSAT, he prioritized reasoning and reading comprehension, advising aspirants to start early rather than leaving preparation for the last minute.

For Mains:

Animesh followed a structured weekly schedule, taking Sunday tests for GS Papers 1 to 4. He relied on weekly PDFs for current affairs instead of reading newspapers, given his time constraints.

His preparation involved creating handwritten notes to allow space for adding supplementary information later (e.g., SC judgments, committee recommendations, relevant articles, and quotes). Animesh also undertook 40-45 tests for Mains and 30-35 for Prelims, refining his skills across both exam stages.

For the Interview:

Throughout his UPSC journey, Animesh focused on personality development and articulating his thoughts clearly. Working in Delhi gave him access to multiple mock interviews, which helped refine his approach. He advises candidates to remain genuine and honest in front of the interview panel, as it is a personality test, not just a knowledge-based evaluation.

Before the interview, he brushed up on current affairs through newspapers and used Instagram to stay updated on regional news that could come up in discussion. His actual interview lasted 25-30 minutes, where this preparation gave him the edge to excel.