Akshat Jain IAS: Youngest UPSC Topper Who Redefined Civil Services Success

When a 23-year-old engineering graduate from Jaipur secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018, the entire nation took notice. Akshat Jain didn’t just crack one of India’s toughest exams—he did it with a style and approach that challenged conventional wisdom about UPSC preparation.

Akshat Jain – Detailed Biography & Wiki

Personal Information

Category	Details
Full Name	Akshat Jain
Date of Birth	1995
Age	29 years (as of 2025)
Age at UPSC Success	23 years
Birthplace	Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hinduism
Caste/Community	Jain
Current Residence	Rajasthan (based on posting)

Family Background

Relation	Name	Profession
Father	D.C. Jain	IAS Officer
Mother	Simmi Jain	IRS Officer
Wife	Not publicly confirmed	–
Children	None (as per available information)	–
Family Legacy	Civil Services Family	Both parents in government service

Educational Qualifications

Level	Institution	Course/Degree	Year	Location
School	India International School	Secondary Education	–	Jaipur, Rajasthan
Higher Secondary	India International School	12th Standard	–	Jaipur, Rajasthan
Undergraduate	Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati	B.Des. (Bachelor of Design)	2017	Guwahati, Assam
Specialization	Design Studies	Creative and Technical Design	2013-2017	IIT Guwahati

UPSC Civil Services Examination Details

Aspect	Details
Examination Year	2018
Attempt Number	2nd Attempt
Final Rank	All India Rank (AIR) 2
Service Allocated	Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
Cadre	Rajasthan
Optional Subject	Anthropology
Preparation Duration	Approximately 1.5-2 years (Post-graduation)
Preparation Start	2017 (After B.Des. completion)
Age at Selection	23 years

Professional Career

Position	Organization	Duration	Location	Key Responsibilities
Probationary IAS Officer	Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy	2019-2020	Mussoorie, Uttarakhand	Foundation Course Training
District Training	Various Districts	2020-2021	Rajasthan	Field Training & Exposure
Current Posting	Government of Rajasthan	2021-Present	Rajasthan	Administrative Duties
Specialization Areas	Rural Development, Digital Governance	–	–	Innovation in Administration

Academic Achievements

Achievement	Year	Institution/Body	Significance
IIT Entrance	2013	IIT Guwahati	Qualified JEE Advanced
B.Des. Degree	2017	IIT Guwahati	Graduated in Design
UPSC CSE Rank 2	2018	Union Public Service Commission	All India Rank 2
IAS Selection	2018	UPSC	Selected for Indian Administrative Service

UPSC Preparation Strategy

Component	Approach	Details
Study Hours	8-10 hours daily	Focused, quality study time
Optional Subject	Anthropology	Inspired by successful toppers
Current Affairs	Daily newspaper reading	The Hindu, Indian Express
Answer Writing	Daily practice	Regular mock tests and evaluation
Revision Strategy	Multiple rounds	Systematic and timed revisions
Study Material	Limited, quality sources	NCERT + Standard reference books
Mock Tests	Regular practice	Both online and offline tests

Notable Characteristics

Trait	Description
Age Factor	One of the youngest UPSC toppers at 23
Educational Background	Unique design background for civil services
Family Legacy	Third generation in civil services
Preparation Style	Smart work over hard work
Innovation	Brings design thinking to governance
Communication	Excellent verbal and written communication
Leadership	Natural leadership qualities

Media & Public Recognition

Platform	Type of Coverage	Focus Area
Print Media	Interviews and features	UPSC preparation strategy
Television	News interviews	Success story coverage
Online Platforms	Educational content	Guidance for aspirants
Social Media	Limited presence	Maintains privacy
Educational Institutions	Guest lectures	Motivational speaking

Current Role & Responsibilities

Area	Involvement	Impact
District Administration	Policy implementation	Ground-level governance
Rural Development	Development programs	Grassroots initiatives
Digital Governance	Technology integration	E-governance solutions
Youth Mentoring	UPSC guidance	Aspirant counseling
Innovation Projects	Creative solutions	Design thinking in admin

Books & Study Materials (Recommendations)

Subject	Recommended Books/Sources	Author/Publication
Anthropology	Anthropology study material	Compiled notes and standard texts
General Studies	NCERT textbooks	NCERT Publications
Current Affairs	Newspaper compilation	The Hindu, Indian Express
Answer Writing	Self-prepared notes	Personal compilation

Inspirational Quotes & Philosophy

Quote/Philosophy	Context
“The exam doesn’t test how much you know; it tests how well you can apply what you know.”	On UPSC preparation approach
“Don’t try to be perfect. Try to be consistent.”	On preparation strategy
“Success isn’t about age or shortcuts—it’s about mindset, sacrifice, and smart preparation.”	On achieving goals

Contact & Social Presence

Platform	Status	Purpose
Official Email	Through government channels	Official communication
Social Media	Limited public presence	Maintains privacy
Public Appearances	Selective participation	Educational and motivational events
Direct Contact	Not publicly available	Privacy maintained

Legacy & Impact

Area of Impact	Contribution	Beneficiaries
UPSC Aspirants	Motivation and guidance	Thousands of aspirants nationwide
Young Administrators	Role model for innovation	Fellow civil servants
Public Administration	Fresh perspective	Citizens of Rajasthan
Educational Sector	Alternative career path example	Engineering students

Awards & Recognition

Award/Recognition	Year	Awarded By	Category
UPSC AIR 2	2018	Union Public Service Commission	Academic Excellence
IAS Selection	2018	Government of India	Professional Achievement
Media Recognition	2018-2019	Various media outlets	Inspirational Figure

Future Aspirations & Goals

Area	Aspiration	Timeline
Administrative Excellence	Innovative governance solutions	Ongoing
Public Service	Meaningful impact on society	Career-long commitment
Mentoring	Guide future civil servants	Continuous activity
Policy Making	Contribute to national policies	Long-term goal

Who is Akshat Jain?

Akshat Jain is much more than just another UPSC topper. He’s a symbol of what’s possible when youth meets determination, and smart work combines with unwavering focus. At an age when most people are still figuring out their careers, Akshat had already carved his name in the annals of India’s civil services history.

What makes his story truly remarkable isn’t just his success, but how he achieved it. Unlike many aspirants who spend years preparing, Akshat cracked the exam in his second attempt, proving that success isn’t about the time you spend, but how effectively you use that time.

His journey resonates with thousands of young aspirants because it breaks the myth that UPSC success requires years of sacrifice. Instead, Akshat showed that with the right mindset, clear strategy, and disciplined execution, even seemingly impossible dreams can become reality.

Early Life & Educational Background

Born in 1995 in the pink city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, Akshat Jain’s date of birth falls in the same year that marked the beginning of India’s digital revolution. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in public service, civil service wasn’t just a career option for him—it was almost a calling.

His father, D.C. Jain, is an accomplished IAS officer, while his mother, Simmi Jain, serves as an IRS officer. Public service truly runs in the Jain family bloodline. However, what’s inspiring about Akshat’s journey is that despite this legacy, he never took shortcuts or relied on family connections. He earned every bit of his success through sheer hard work and determination.

Akshat Jain’s age during his UPSC success was just 23, making him one of the youngest toppers in recent years. His educational journey was equally impressive. After completing his schooling at India International School in Jaipur, he pursued something completely different from the traditional UPSC path—a B.Des. (Design) from IIT Guwahati.

This unique academic background in design gave him a creative edge that would later reflect in his approach to both UPSC preparation and administrative work. While most aspirants come from conventional backgrounds like history, political science, or public administration, Akshat’s design education taught him to think differently, approach problems creatively, and present solutions in innovative ways.

The UPSC Journey: Strategy, Struggle, and Success

After graduating from IIT Guwahati in 2017, Akshat began his serious UPSC preparation. Unlike many aspirants who start preparing during their graduation, he gave himself dedicated time to focus solely on the exam after completing his degree.

His Akshat Jain optional subject choice was strategic and well-thought-out. Akshat Jain’s anthropology selection was inspired by successful toppers like Anudeep Durishetty, who had demonstrated that this subject could be scoring if mastered properly. Akshat Jain anthropology book recommendations and study material became highly sought after by future aspirants, as his approach to the subject was both systematic and comprehensive.

What set Akshat apart wasn’t just his subject choice, but his entire preparation methodology. He believed in depth rather than breadth, focusing on mastering core concepts instead of running after multiple sources. His Akshat Jain answer copy became legendary among UPSC circles for its clarity, structure, and precise content.

Speaking about his preparation strategy, Akshat once shared, “The exam doesn’t test how much you know; it tests how well you can apply what you know.” This philosophy guided his entire preparation approach.

His daily routine was disciplined but not extreme. He maintained a balance between intensive study and mental well-being, understanding that UPSC is as much a test of mental strength as it is of knowledge. He completely avoided social media during his preparation phase, understanding that distractions could derail even the most sincere efforts.

The Akshat Jain IAS toppers answer sheet UPSC became a reference point for many aspirants. His writing style was crisp, his arguments were logical, and his presentation was impeccable. What impressed the evaluators most was his ability to present complex ideas in simple, understandable language.

Career and Current Role

After his phenomenal success in UPSC 2018, Akshat joined the Indian Administrative Service and was allocated to the Rajasthan cadre. His Akshat Jain IAS posting has been marked by innovation, empathy, and a fresh perspective on governance.

During his training at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), he stood out for his clarity of thought, leadership qualities, and collaborative approach. His trainers often noted his ability to bring design thinking into administrative solutions—a skill that reflected his unique educational background.

Akshat Jain current posting involves key administrative responsibilities in Rajasthan, where he has been actively involved in various development initiatives. His approach to governance reflects his youth and energy, combined with a deep understanding of ground-level challenges.

Colleagues describe him as someone who brings innovation to traditional administrative processes. His design background helps him visualize problems differently and create user-friendly solutions for citizens. Whether it’s digitizing government services or improving rural infrastructure, Akshat’s work reflects a perfect blend of creativity and administrative efficiency.

Personal Life and Relationships

While Akshat maintains a relatively private personal life, there has been considerable curiosity about Akshat Jain wife. However, as of the latest available information, Akshat appears to be focused primarily on his career and public service commitments.

Some sources have mentioned Nikita Jain wife of Akshat Jain, but there’s no confirmed information about his marital status. Akshat has always maintained that his primary focus remains on serving the public and contributing meaningfully to society through his administrative role.

His approach to personal life reflects the same discipline and privacy that marked his UPSC preparation. He believes in keeping his personal and professional lives balanced, understanding that public service requires complete dedication and focus.

What Makes Akshat Jain Inspirational

Akshat Jain’s age when he achieved UPSC success—just 23—is remarkable, but what’s more inspiring is how he achieved it. His journey offers several key lessons for aspiring civil servants:

Mental Clarity Over Information Overload: While many aspirants get lost in the vast UPSC syllabus, Akshat focused on clarity and depth. He understood that it’s better to know less content thoroughly than to know everything superficially.

Consistency Over Intensity: His preparation wasn’t about 16-hour study marathons. Instead, it was about consistent, focused effort every single day. This approach prevented burnout and maintained long-term sustainability.

Smart Work Over Hard Work: Akshat’s strategy was always about working smart. He identified high-yielding topics, focused on understanding rather than memorization, and developed a systematic approach to answer writing.

Emotional Maturity: Despite his young age, Akshat displayed remarkable emotional maturity throughout his UPSC journey. He managed pressure, handled setbacks, and maintained perspective—qualities that are crucial for both UPSC success and effective administration.

Purpose Over Pressure: His motivation came from a genuine desire to serve the public rather than external pressure or family expectations. This intrinsic motivation sustained him through the challenging preparation period.

Current Impact and Influence

Today, Akshat Jain IAS age might still be relatively young, but his impact on both governance and UPSC preparation community has been significant. He regularly engages with aspirants, sharing insights and guidance based on his experience.

Akshat Jain marksheet and academic records have become reference points for many aspirants trying to understand what success looks like in UPSC. However, Akshat always emphasizes that marks are just one aspect—the real measure of success is the positive impact you can create in people’s lives.

In his administrative role, he has been instrumental in bringing digital innovation to rural governance. His projects focus on making government services more accessible, transparent, and citizen-friendly. His design thinking approach has helped simplify complex administrative processes, making them more user-centric.

Lessons for Future Aspirants

Akshat’s journey offers several practical insights for UPSC aspirants:

1. Start with a Clear Why: Understanding your motivation for joining civil services is crucial for sustaining long-term effort.
2. Quality Over Quantity: Focus on mastering limited, high-quality sources rather than collecting numerous books and materials.
3. Regular Writing Practice: Success in UPSC mains requires excellent writing skills, which can only be developed through consistent practice.
4. Stay Updated but Not Overwhelmed: Keep yourself informed about current affairs without getting lost in information overload.
5. Mental Health is Non-negotiable: Maintain physical and mental well-being throughout the preparation journey.
6. Learn from Failures: Use setbacks as learning opportunities rather than demotivational factors.

The Road Ahead

As Akshat Jain’s current posting continues to evolve, his focus remains on creating meaningful impact through his administrative role. He represents a new generation of civil servants who bring fresh perspectives, technological savvy, and innovative thinking to governance challenges.

His story continues to inspire thousands of young Indians who dream of serving their country through civil services. But more importantly, his approach to life and work serves as a blueprint for achieving excellence in any field.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Purpose and Performance

Akshat Jain is more than just a UPSC topper—he’s a testament to what’s possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation meets opportunity, and youth meets responsibility. His journey from an engineering student in Jaipur to one of India’s youngest IAS officers is a story of strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and unwavering commitment to public service.

At an age when many are still exploring career options, Akshat has already established himself as a role model for aspiring civil servants. His success story breaks several myths about UPSC preparation while establishing new benchmarks for both academic excellence and administrative innovation.

His message to future aspirants is simple yet profound: “Don’t try to be perfect. Try to be consistent.” This philosophy, combined with his practical approach to preparation and his genuine commitment to public service, makes him not just an inspiration but a guide for anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in society.

Whether you’re a UPSC aspirant looking for motivation or someone interested in understanding what modern civil service looks like, Akshat Jain’s journey offers valuable insights into the power of purpose-driven preparation and the impact of youth in governance.

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🙋‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Akshat Jain

Q1: Who is Akshat Jain?

A: Akshat Jain is a 2018 UPSC Civil Services Examination topper who secured All India Rank 2 in his second attempt. He is currently serving as an IAS officer in the Rajasthan cadre. Known for his disciplined preparation and youthful energy, he is widely admired by aspirants across India.

Q2: Akshat Jain age when he cleared UPSC?

A: Akshat Jain cleared the UPSC exam in 2018 at the age of 23.

Q3: At what age did Akshat Jain become an IAS officer?

A: He officially became an IAS officer after completing his training, making him one of the youngest IAS officers at around 24 years old.

Q4: Is Akshat Jain an IAS officer?

A: Yes, Akshat Jain is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 2018 batch, allocated to the Rajasthan cadre.

Q5: When did Akshat Jain start preparing for UPSC?

A: Akshat Jain began serious preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2017, right after completing his graduation from IIT Guwahati.

Q6: Did Akshat Jain take coaching?

A: Yes, Akshat Jain took coaching for certain aspects of his preparation, including guidance for his optional subject (Anthropology) and test series. However, he heavily relied on self-study, structured planning, and note-making.

Q7: Akshat Jain is IAS of which district?

A: Akshat Jain has been posted in various roles across Rajasthan. As postings change frequently, the specific district may vary over time. He has served in field-level administrative roles, including as an Assistant Collector.

Q8: Where is Akshat Jain posted now?

A: As of the latest available information (2024–2025), Akshat Jain is serving in the Rajasthan cadre of the IAS. His current posting can vary based on administrative reshuffles. For the most recent update, it’s best to refer to official Rajasthan government sources or news portals.