A career choice in public administration can often be traced back to an everyday moment of realization. For Pulkit Garg, currently serving as the District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, the motivation to serve the public took root during his school days. Hailing from Haryana, his family currently resides in Delhi, where his father works as a bank manager with Haryana Gramin Bank. After finishing his schooling, he secured admission to IIT Delhi, graduating with a BTech degree in 2014. While pursuing his engineering program, his longstanding inclination toward public service became his primary focus.
School Motivation and Early Decision to Enter Civil Services
When studying in Class 8, Garg watched the movie 'Chak De! India'. The themes of dedication and serving the country left a lasting impression on him, convincing him that he needed a career directly tied to national contribution. Upon entering college, he aligned his academic schedule with civil services preparation, ensuring that he laid a solid groundwork before finishing his engineering degree.
Two Attempts and Selection into the UP Cadre
The journey through the UPSC civil services examination demanded patience. Garg appeared for his first attempt in 2014. Drawing lessons from the initial experience, he returned in 2015 to secure an impressive All India Rank 27. This result placed him in the Indian Administrative Service as part of the 2016 batch allocated to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Administrative Postings Across Uttar Pradesh
Over the course of his administrative career, Garg has served in several key posts across the state. His early field assignments included serving as Assistant Magistrate in Bulandshahr and Joint Magistrate in Baghpat. He was later appointed Chief Development Officer in Siddharthnagar. His administrative portfolio expanded with subsequent roles as Municipal Commissioner in Jhansi and at the Varanasi Development Authority. In his current capacity as the District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, he is steering administrative efforts to develop the pilgrimage hub along the lines of larger urban centers.
Key Guidance for Aspirants
Addressing candidates preparing for competitive exams, Garg highlighted the necessity of following daily events carefully. He noted that regular newspaper reading has become indispensable and requires dedicated attention. He emphasized that only those candidates with a genuine desire to shoulder the demands of the job should pursue this career, as both the examination process and field administration involve intense rigor. Consequently, long-term success comes to those who prepare with full focus and clear purpose.
