On her second attempt in 2016, Abhilasha secured a rank of 308 in UPSC All India.
Abhilasha said it was important to start early and focus on the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages.
Telangana cadre IAS officer Abhilasha Abhinav, hailing from Patna, Bihar, achieved the 18th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017. Abhilasha’s path to becoming an IAS officer was marked by several challenges. Her biggest challenge was convincing her family that she would prioritise clearing the Civil Services Examination before her marriage.
Abhilasha Abhinav finished her schooling in Patna topping the CBSE class 10 examination. With an impressive 84 per cent in 12th grade, she pursued B.Tech at A.S. College, Maharashtra. Known for her academic prowess, Abhilasha also excelled in sports. Despite obtaining a job after B.Tech, she chose to continue working while preparing for the UPSC examinations.
Abhilasha attempted the UPSC Civil Services Examination for the first time in 2014. Not clearing the Prelims in this attempt, she decided to concentrate on preparation rather than attempting the exam the following year. In her second attempt in 2016, Abhilasha secured a rank of 308 in UPSC All India. Due to her higher rank, she was allocated the IRS service instead of the IAS.
She secured the IRS position in her second attempt at the UPSC. Unsatisfied with this, she aimed for the esteemed IAS designation. In her UPSC 2017 attempt, Abhilasha clinched the 18th rank and became an IAS officer. Addressing the challenge of UPSC preparation while working, she stresses the significance of time management. She advised IAS aspirants to manage their time efficiently.
For Civil Services Examination preparation, Abhilasha highlighted starting early and focusing on the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages. She recommends watching topper interviews to formulate a strategy and stay firm to a routine. When it comes to interview preparation, thorough preparation is required according to her.
Abhilasha Abhinav recommends making use of weekends and office downtime for studies, leveraging technology such as phone-based learning during commutes. Stressing the significance of personal commitment over external opinions, she underscores the importance of self-discipline. Abhilasha emphasizes the need to stay true to one’s goals for achieving their dreams.
