Kanishak Kataria, a remarkable Indian civil servant, achieved the top spot in the 2018 UPSC exam on his first attempt. His journey is an inspiring tale of dedication and perseverance.

Wiki/Biography

Hailing from a middle-class family in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Kanishak, at 26 years old, demonstrated academic brilliance from a young age. His education journey took him to Kota, Rajasthan, where he studied from Class 3 to 12. A stellar academic record led him to secure the 44th rank in the IIT JEE (2010), paving his way to IIT Bombay. There, he completed his B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering.

After graduation, he embraced the corporate world, initially working as a data scientist at Samsung in South Korea. He later relocated to Bangalore, taking on the role of a data analyst at Two Roads Technologies, an American startup. His ambition, however, led him to resign in 2017 to dedicate himself fully to the preparation for the civil services examination.

Family, Caste & Girlfriend

Kanishak’s family provides a strong support system. His father, a promoted IAS officer, and his mother, a homemaker, have played instrumental roles in his success. His elder sister is pursuing her medical studies at Sawai Man Singh Hospital. He also enjoys a loving relationship with his girlfriend, Sonal Chouhan, a software developer at Rakuten Inc. in Tokyo, Japan.

Kanishak belongs to the Balai caste, a Scheduled Caste (SC) in India.

Facts

His remarkable achievement in topping the UPSC exam came as a surprise even to himself. In an interview with ANI, he expressed his astonishment and gratitude:

“It’s a very surprising moment. I never expected to get the 1st rank. I thank my parents, sister & my girlfriend for the help & moral support. People will expect me to be a good administrator & that’s exactly my intention.”

His candid acknowledgment of his girlfriend’s support on national television garnered widespread praise on Twitter.

Here are some key facts about Kanishak:

• Optional Subject: Mathematics
• Hobbies: Cricket, Football, and Tennis
• Favorite Cricketer (All-time): Sachin Tendulkar
• Favorite Current Cricketers: Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers
• Daily Study Hours (UPSC Prep): Approximately 10 hours
• Role Model: His father

Kanishak’s dedication and hard work serve as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants. His journey underscores the power of perseverance and the importance of a supportive family and loved ones.

“`