The road to the Indian Administrative Service for Aditya Narayan H., a resident of Asramam in Kollam, was one defined by persistence. Proving that unwavering determination eventually pays off, he secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 68 in his fourth attempt. This achievement marks the culmination of a journey that began during his undergraduate years at the College of Engineering Trivandrum, where he first developed a passion for the Civil Services while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering.

Aditya’s path to success was far from linear and was marked by significant highs and lows. After a brief eight-month stint working at South Indian Bank following his graduation, he pivoted entirely toward UPSC preparation. In his very first attempt, he showed immense potential by reaching the interview stage, yet he failed to make the final list. His second attempt proved even more discouraging when he was unable to clear the Preliminary examination. However, refusing to yield to disappointment, he pushed forward to secure the 357th rank in his third attempt, which earned him a spot in the Indian Revenue Service.

While undergoing IRS Income Tax training in Nagpur, Aditya decided to give his original dream one final shot. Ironically, after completing the most recent interview, he was convinced he wouldn’t even match his previous rank. “The 68th rank came as a huge surprise, “ he says. Aditya credits his success to a balanced approach to preparation, stressing that he does not believe in unrealistic and extremely tight study schedules.