“All this feels a bit surreal, to be honest. While I knew my name would feature somewhere in the list, clinching the 2nd rank is something that I must admit I did not anticipate.”

Akshat Jain has secured the All India Rank-2 in the 2018 Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. An alumnus of IIT Guwahati, bagged the second position in the prestigious exam in his second attempt. Read more to know about IAS topper 2018 Akshat Jain and his strategies to clear the IAS exam.

Akshat Jain Background

Jain has graduated from IIT-Guwahati with a degree in design. His first attempt was in the year 2017 hardly a month post his graduation. Though he could not clear in the first attempt, it was a great learning experience for him.

Akshat was motivated by his own parents who are currently serving as a civil servant. His father, Mr D C Jain, is now the Joint Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), New Delhi and mother, Mrs Simmi Jain, an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer is the ADG of National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) in Jaipur.

Aspirants can check UPSC question papers at the linked article.

Preparation Journey

Akshat has not attended any formal coaching for General Studies. He never felt the need of attending classes for more number of hours, instead, he would chalk down his own preparation goals for each day and complete them by end of the day.

Akshat also worked in Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore. He got his Secondary education from India International School, Jaipur. He is very much interested in the extracurricular activities during his graduation and school days.

“I made sure that I took adequate breaks in between the studies and would spend that time talking to friends. It helped me stay focused and also helped in fighting the loneliness.” – Akshat Jain.

Akshat chose Anthropology as his optional subject and the main reason to make him chose the subject was the syllabus of the subject. He felt that a lot of what the subject covers is practical and can be applied to real-life situations.

Challenges faced

“I feel that one has to put in an immense amount of hard work to prepare and clear these examinations and that in turn requires one to be extremely patient,” advises Akshat.

He also mentioned regarding the rigorous study schedule that one has to follow while preparing for the exam, which can be a tough journey. While all the hard work has paid off in Akshat’s case, it might be difficult for other aspirants.

Future course of Action

Akshat, as of now, is just letting the feeling sink in and is taking the time to look back at the year. He is also looking forward to serving the people.

“Healthcare and education are two subjects that are close to my heart. I intend to use the position to help others,” – Akshat Jain

We wish Akshat Jain ‘all the best’ for his future endeavours.

Know the UPSC syllabus at the linked article.

UPSC Topper 2018 Marks

The UPSC released the marks scored by the successful candidates indicating the subject-wise breakup of the marks. Akshat Jain scored a total of 1080 marks out of a total of 2025 marks.

UPSC Topper Marksheet

To know more about IAS Toppers 2018, check the linked article.

Akshat Jain Facts

UPSC Rank: AIR 2, CSE 2018

Attempt: Second

Optional Subject: Anthropology

Education: Degree in Design from IIT-Guwahati

Work Experience: Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore

Age: 23 Years

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