“Power isn’t just in the post. It’s in the purpose.”
Behind every shining bureaucratic badge is a story few get to hear—a tale of sacrifices, self-discovery, and sheer grit. For Utkarsh Kumar, now an IAS officer posted as SDO in Ranchi, it wasn’t just about cracking the civil services; it was about breaking through self-doubt, emotional struggles, and society’s limiting expectations.
Humble Beginnings in a Challenging Land
Utkarsh hails from Pirtand in Jharkhand, one of the state’s most Naxal-affected areas. With both parents working—his mother a schoolteacher who climbed ranks through relentless effort, and his father in Air Traffic Control—discipline, resilience, and education were deeply ingrained in his upbringing.
He wasn’t born with silver spoons or elite coaching. His early schooling was stable but modest, filled with books, fiction, and curiosity. “I wasn’t a topper, but I loved to learn,” he says. “Reading fiction helped me imagine, articulate, and escape.”
From Shy Child to IITian
His transformation began in Kota, the mecca of engineering aspirants. Stepping away from the comforts of home for the first time, Utkarsh faced the classic emotional tug-of-war most students experience—separation from family, finding one’s place among fierce competition, and staying mentally strong amidst it all.
Kota didn’t just prepare him for JEE; it prepared him for life.
“Kota is the embodiment of meritocracy,” Utkarsh says. “If you’re good, you thrive. If not, you struggle—but that struggle is your training.”
He emerged victorious, cracking IIT JEE with an impressive rank and joining IIT Bombay—a place that, according to him, “changed everything.”
The Bombay Awakening
College wasn’t just about academics. It was exposure. It was a discovery. At IIT Bombay, Utkarsh blossomed. He joined adventure clubs, hosted quizzes, danced on stage, and discovered teaching. “That place taught me to speak, to stand, to lead,” he reflects.
Pocket money came from being a teaching assistant and writing book solutions. These weren’t just tasks—they were acts of self-reliance, building his confidence in the process.
But even amidst this stimulating environment, a whisper persisted inside him—was this enough?
The Goldman Dilemma
Post-college, Utkarsh landed a high-paying job at Goldman Sachs in Bangalore. The dream job. Good money, smart peers, a buzzing social life. On paper, perfect.
But something was missing.
He worked for American markets, made decisions whose impact he never saw, and slowly began feeling emotionally detached from the purpose of his work.
“I didn’t want to be just another cog in a foreign machine. I wanted to make a direct difference in people’s lives. I wanted to see the change I was part of.”
So, he quit.
The UPSC Calling
Unlike many, Utkarsh didn’t grow up idolizing civil servants. His decision to pursue UPSC wasn’t romantic—it was a calculated risk, a leap into uncertainty guided by instinct and desire for impact.
Preparation was brutal.
“It’s not a 100-meter sprint. It’s a marathon. And you have to run with no certainty of the finish line.”
Utkarsh wasn’t exempt from failure. In fact, his first attempt didn’t even result in selection. “That broke me,” he admits. “But it also built me. That’s the strange duality of failure.”
He buckled down, cut off distractions, learned to manage emotions, channeled pain into performance—and succeeded.
The Emotional Spectrum: Attachment and Detachment
Utkarsh believes emotional control is at the heart of any long-term pursuit. “Being human, you will get emotionally attached—to people, to ideas, to outcomes. But unless you learn to steer those emotions, they’ll steer you.”
He shares how many aspirants fall prey to emotional entanglements, especially during formative years. “Channel emotions into motivation, not distractions,” he advises.
Whether it was heartbreak or homesickness, Utkarsh turned vulnerability into fuel. “Kota taught me solitude. Bombay taught me expression. UPSC taught me discipline. Each phase added a layer.”
The IAS Experience: Law, Leadership, and Learning
As SDO of Ranchi, Utkarsh is now experiencing life on the other side of governance. From managing law and order during politically sensitive situations to conducting elections and solving disputes in court—every day is a test of wit and will.
“People think the power lies in the post. But real power lies in understanding what you can do within the law, in grey zones, under pressure.”
He’s proud of his judicial work—passing over 180 judgments in landlord-tenant cases, resolving public grievances, and ensuring law enforcement during peak political tensions.
His current role offers what Goldman Sachs couldn’t: visible impact. “Here, your decisions shape the lives of people you meet. That’s unmatched.”
Reflections on Education and Parenting
When asked about education trends, Utkarsh cautions against early specialization. “Children shouldn’t be forced into UPSC, IIT, or anything, really. Let them explore.”
He credits his success to the freedom his parents gave him. “They let me read comics, watch TV, chase hobbies. That freedom built my curiosity.”
To parents, he advises: guide, don’t impose. “Nudge them, expose them, and let them discover themselves.”
Dealing with Pressure and Comparison
Utkarsh emphasizes that societal pressure—be it placements, packages, or performance—destroys individuality.
He recounts stories of friends with low CGPAs landing dream jobs and others with stellar academic records burning out. “There’s no formula. Life is nonlinear. The system can’t measure your worth.”
He even warns against toxic comparisons in institutions like IITs, where media hype and peer pressure often lead to mental health crises. “Don’t quantify your self-worth with someone else’s numbers.”
The Kick of Purpose
When asked what gives him a kick today, he smiles:
“Judging a case fairly. Handling a law and order situation peacefully. Organizing high-turnout elections. That’s my adrenaline now.”
His joy comes from the trenches—from the public courtrooms to the polling booths. “I see the impact of my work every day. That visibility is priceless.”
The Balance Between Power and Peace
Despite his visible power, Utkarsh prefers a quiet life. No Bigg Boss, no flash. He enjoys trekking, reading, driving, and spending time with close friends.
“Real life isn’t reality TV. The camera may be on, but your soul needs a space to just be.”
Climbing Mountains and Mindsets
Trekking became his spiritual escape. From adventure clubs at IIT to high-altitude mountaineering, Utkarsh finds renewal in nature. “Disconnect to reconnect,” he says.
His dream? An advanced mountaineering course in the Himalayas. “There’s something pure about climbing a peak. It humbles you.”
Parting Wisdom for Aspirants
To students stuck between engineering, UPSC, and societal noise, Utkarsh offers this golden advice:
“Do what excites you. What energizes you. Not what impresses others.”
He doesn’t recommend UPSC as a default option. “It’s a beast. If you don’t truly want it, it’ll break you.”
Instead, he advocates for exploration in college, building self-awareness, and choosing purpose over pressure.
Final Note: A Family’s Role
Utkarsh’s journey was powered by a quiet but strong support system—his parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers. They didn’t dictate—they believed.
“My mother studied while raising us. My father gave me freedom. My family gave me strength. If I stand tall today, it’s because of their shoulders.”
Watch the full conversation at Kanke Talks to understand how Utkarsh Kumar cracked UPSC after leaving a high-paying job.
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