Biography of Shri Avinash Kumar, IAS

Avinash Kumar is an IAS officer who secured All India Rank (AIR) 17 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2022 on his third attempt, hailing from Badhuwa village, Araria district, Bihar, and is the son of a retired government school teacher turned farmer.
He graduated as a gold medalist in Power Engineering from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, after schooling with a 10 CGPA in 10th and over 93% in 12th.
Before joining IAS, he worked as an engineer in West Bengal’s power department, quitting in July 2020 to focus on UPSC preparation, driven by dissatisfaction and a connection to Bihar.
His preparation strategy emphasized self-study, conceptual clarity, and Philosophy as an optional subject, scoring 319 marks (highest for Philosophy, 4th highest overall).
As of April 2025, he is serving as a probationary IAS officer in the West Bengal cadre, inspiring many with his journey from a modest background.

Background and Education:
Avinash Kumar’s roots trace back to Badhuwa village in Bihar, where he was born to Ajay Kumar Singh, a retired government school teacher now farming, and Pratima Devi, a homemaker. His academic journey began with a 10 CGPA in 10th at Shri Rani Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Forbesganj, followed by over 93% in 12th at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Bokaro. He then excelled at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, graduating as a gold medalist in Power Engineering, showcasing his early brilliance.

Career and UPSC Journey:
Before dedicating himself to UPSC, Avinash worked as an engineer in West Bengal’s power department, a stable job he left in July 2020 due to dissatisfaction and a pull towards civil services, given Bihar’s aspirational value for such exams. His UPSC preparation, starting in July 2020, involved three attempts, with failures in the prelims twice before succeeding on the third, securing AIR 17 in 2022 with 1034 marks in mains. He chose Philosophy as his optional, scoring 319 marks (165 in Paper 1, 154 in Paper 2), the highest for that subject and fourth highest overall, relying on Enlite IAS notes and Mahesh Sir’s online coaching.

Current Role and Impact:
As of April 2025, Avinash is a probationary IAS officer in the West Bengal cadre, his journey from a flood-prone village to IAS symbolizing hope. His advice to aspirants prioritize self-study, take risks, stay dedicated resonates, especially given challenges like annual floods affecting his family and emotional turmoil at his previous job.

Unexpected Detail:
Interestingly, Avinash’s choice of Philosophy, often seen as less scoring, paid off remarkably, with his 319 marks being a standout, challenging common perceptions about optional subjects in UPSC.

Avinash Kumar: From Bihar’s Fields to IAS Glory A Journey of Resilience and Inspiration

In the verdant yet challenging landscapes of Badhuwa village, Araria district, Bihar, Avinash Kumar’s story unfolds as a beacon of hope and determination. As of April 9, 2025, this IAS officer, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 17 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2022, embodies the transformative power of education and perseverance. His journey from a modest farming background to the elite Indian Administrative Service is not just a personal triumph but a narrative that inspires countless aspirants, particularly from rural India.

Early Life: Roots in Resilience

Avinash Kumar was born into a family where simplicity and hard work were the norm. His father, Ajay Kumar Singh, transitioned from a government school teacher to a farmer, reflecting the economic realities of rural Bihar. His mother, Pratima Devi, a homemaker, played a pivotal role in nurturing his ambitions. Growing up in Badhuwa, a village on the Indo-Nepal border often ravaged by annual floods, Avinash faced early challenges that tested his resolve. These floods, impacting his family’s farming, instilled in him a deep understanding of rural struggles, which later fueled his drive to serve through civil services.

His academic journey began at Shri Rani Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Forbesganj, where he achieved a remarkable 10 CGPA in his 10th grade, a testament to his early brilliance. He then moved to Chinmaya Vidyalaya in Bokaro for his higher secondary education, securing over 93% in his 12th grade, setting the stage for higher education. Avinash’s pursuit of excellence led him to Jadavpur University, Kolkata, where he graduated as a gold medalist in Power Engineering, a feat that highlighted his intellectual prowess and laid the foundation for his UPSC aspirations.

The Decision to Pursue UPSC: A Leap of Faith

Before dedicating himself to the UPSC, Avinash worked as an engineer in West Bengal’s power department, a stable job he held until July 2020. However, dissatisfaction and emotional turmoil at work prompted him to take a bold step. Hailing from Bihar, where the UPSC exam holds significant aspirational value, Avinash felt a natural inclination towards civil services.He shared, “If you’re born and brought up in Bihar, you have a natural inclination towards civil services because this exam has an aspirational value there.” This connection, coupled with his desire for a more fulfilling career, led him to quit his job and move to Delhi for preparation, risking it all for his dream.

Preparation Strategy: A Blend of Self-Study and Philosophy

Avinash’s UPSC preparation began in July 2020, marking the start of a rigorous journey that spanned three attempts. He faced setbacks in the prelims twice, but his resolve remained unshaken. On his third attempt, he cleared all stages, securing AIR 17 in the UPSC CSE 2022, with a total of 1034 marks in the mains examination. His choice of Philosophy as an optional subject was strategic, driven by its condensed syllabus, which he believed could be covered in four months, and the availability of quality coaching. He enrolled in Mahesh Sir’s online philosophy classes at Enlite IAS, a decision that proved fruitful.

Avinash shared his approach. He scored an impressive 319 marks in Philosophy (165 in Paper 1, 154 in Paper 2), the highest for that subject and the fourth highest overall among the 176 marksheets analyzed, challenging the perception of Philosophy as a less scoring optional. His preparation emphasized conceptual clarity, as taught by Mahesh Sir, and focused on anticipated questions based on last year’s trends. He relied on Enlite IAS notes, writing six sectional tests, and ensured his answers were content-rich, incorporating critiques and comparisons.

Overcoming Challenges: Floods, Failures, and Fortitude

Avinash’s path was fraught with challenges. The annual floods in Badhuwa affected his family’s farming, adding financial and emotional strain. During his school years, he dealt with these natural adversities, which likely strengthened his resolve. His previous job in West Bengal’s power department brought emotional turmoil, prompting his decision to quit in July 2020. The UPSC journey itself was a test, with failures in the prelims of his first two attempts.

Achievements and Recognition

Avinash’s achievement in UPSC 2022 is noteworthy. With a roll number of 0840388, he secured 1034 marks in the mains, a reflection of his meticulous preparation. His Philosophy score of 319 marks (165 in Paper 1, 154 in Paper 2) was not only the highest for the subject but also ranked fourth overall. This performance brought pride to his village and the state of Bihar, making him a role model for aspirants, especially from rural backgrounds.

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Advice to Aspirants: A Beacon of Hope

In interviews, Avinash has been generous with advice, emphasizing self-study as paramount. He encourages aspirants to take risks and stay dedicated, as noted on Pulse Phase. His mantra, driven by “pure will” and belief in the “Law of Karma,” , resonates with many. He advises, “Be honest, confident, and don’t lose hope despite setbacks,” a message that echoes his own journey.

Current Role and Impact

As of April 2025, Avinash Kumar is serving as a probationary IAS officer in the West Bengal cadre, a position he assumed after completing his training following the UPSC results in May 2023. His journey from a flood-prone village to the IAS is a source of inspiration, particularly for those from similar backgrounds. Recent updates, indicate his ongoing engagement with aspirants, sharing insights and motivating others.

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A Legacy in the Making

Avinash Kumar’s story is more than a success narrative; it’s a testament to the power of education and determination. His choice of Philosophy, often underestimated, and his remarkable score of 319 marks challenge conventional wisdom, offering an unexpected insight into UPSC preparation. As he navigates his early career in the IAS, his legacy is already taking shape, inspiring a new generation to dream big and work hard, proving that roots in rural India can indeed reach the highest echelons of public service.

Table: Key Milestones in Avinash Kumar’s Journey

Year	Milestone	Details
2010	10th Grade Completion	10 CGPA, Shri Rani Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Forbesganj
2012	12th Grade Completion	Over 93%, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Bokaro
2016	Engineering Graduation	Gold medalist, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
July 2020	Quit Engineering Job	Left West Bengal power department for UPSC prep
July 2020	UPSC Preparation Began	Started with Philosophy optional, Enlite IAS coaching
2022	UPSC CSE 2022 Result	AIR 17, 1034 mains marks, 319 in Philosophy
May 2023	Training for IAS	Began probationary period, West Bengal cadre
April 2025	Serving as IAS Officer	Probationary officer, West Bengal cadre

This table summarizes his educational and career milestones, providing a clear timeline of his journey.