Kanishak Kataria, an IIT graduate, left a lucrative job to pursue his dream of joining the civil service. Remarkably, he topped the UPSC exam in his very first attempt.
Kanishak Kataria's journey serves as an inspiration for those who aspire to dream big and take risks to realise their dreams. He hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan, and holds a degree in computer science from IIT Bombay. Kanishak made the brave decision to leave a lucrative job overseas to pursue a path that many would hesitate to follow.
UPSC over high-paying job
After graduating from IIT Bombay, Kanishak began his career at Samsung in South Korea, where he earned an impressive salary. For a brief period, he also worked for a startup in Bengaluru. However, he had a different aspiration: to enter public service. Inspired by his father, Sanwar Mal Verma, an IAS officer, Kanishak resolved to follow in his father's footsteps.
UPSC preparation and success in first attempt
In 2017, Kanishak left his job and returned to Jaipur to focus on preparing for the challenging UPSC exam. He committed himself entirely to his studies, and his hard work paid off as he achieved All India Rank 1 in the 2018 UPSC exam on his very first attempt, setting an inspiring example for others.
Exceptional scores in UPSC
Kanishak opted for mathematics as his optional subject and scored an impressive 942 marks in the main examination. He also secured 179 marks in the personality test, bringing his total to 1,121 out of 2,025, which earned him the top rank. Additionally, Kanishak had previously excelled in the IIT JEE, achieving an All India Rank of 44.
Where is Kanishak Kataria today?
After topping the UPSC, Kanishak is now serving as the Joint Secretary in the Department of Personnel for the Rajasthan Government. His decision to pursue his dreams and his subsequent success have made him an inspiration to millions of young people. Kanishak Kataria’s story exemplifies that achieving significant aspirations requires not only hard work but also the courage to let go of something substantial. He has a significant following on his social media accounts where he continues to motivate young aspirants.
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