{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Inspired by a Hindi Film and Securing Rank 27 on Second Attempt, How Pulkit Garg Built His Path to the IAS",
  "summary": "After graduating from IIT Delhi, Pulkit Garg pursued civil services and achieved All India Rank 27 on his second attempt. Currently serving as the District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, his career choice was sparked during his school days.",
  "content": "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.\n\nSchool Motivation and Early Decision to Enter Civil Services\nWhen 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.\n\nTwo Attempts and Selection into the UP Cadre\nThe 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.\n\nAdministrative Postings Across Uttar Pradesh\nOver 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.\n\nKey Guidance for Aspirants\nAddressing 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.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis account provides practical takeaways for competitive exam aspirants regarding persistence and career orientation.\n\n• Preparation Strategy: Habitual newspaper reading is highlighted as essential for current affairs preparation. Aspirants should dedicate time daily to understand national developments rather than relying solely on shortcuts.\n• Career Orientation: Civil services should be chosen based on genuine interest in administrative work rather than superficial prestige. The demanding nature of the examination and field assignments requires deep personal commitment.\n• Bouncing Back: Experiencing a setback in the initial attempt does not preclude top-tier success later. Moving from an unsuccessful 2014 attempt to Rank 27 in 2015 underlines the value of self-evaluation and disciplined refinement.\n• Local Development: For the residents of Chitrakoot, focused administration brings systematic planning to civic infrastructure. Administrative efforts aim to equip the historic town with modern facilities comparable to larger cities.\n\nWhy this happened\nPulkit Garg's selection into the civil services and subsequent posting as Chitrakoot DM stemmed from early motivation paired with methodical preparation.\n\n• Initial Trigger: Watching an inspiring sports film in Class 8 cultivated a desire to contribute directly to the country. This clarity prompted him to set his long-term sights on administrative service well before finishing school.\n• Dual Focus in College: While completing his engineering degree at IIT Delhi, he began laying the foundation for civil services studies. Starting early enabled him to balance technical coursework with general studies.\n• Course Correction: Missing selection in his first attempt in 2014 led to an objective assessment of his preparation gaps. Applying these refinements in his 2015 attempt earned him All India Rank 27 and a placement in the Uttar Pradesh cadre.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where is Chitrakoot DM Pulkit Garg originally from?\nPulkit Garg is originally from Haryana, and his family currently lives in Delhi.\n\n2. Where did Pulkit Garg complete his higher education?\nHe completed his BTech degree from IIT Delhi in 2014.\n\n3. What rank did Pulkit Garg secure in the UPSC examination?\nHe secured All India Rank 27 in his second attempt in 2015, joining the IAS in the 2016 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.\n\n4. How did Pulkit Garg find the inspiration to pursue civil services?\nWatching the film 'Chak De! India' in Class 8 sparked his desire for national service, leading him to start preparation in college.\n\n5. What administrative roles did he hold prior to his posting in Chitrakoot?\nHe served as Assistant Magistrate in Bulandshahr, Joint Magistrate in Baghpat, CDO in Siddharthnagar, Municipal Commissioner in Jhansi, and at the Varanasi Development Authority.\n\n6. What advice did he offer to UPSC aspirants?\nHe stressed the daily habit of reading newspapers and urged only deeply committed candidates to take up the challenging preparation.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nPulkit Garg's journey illustrates how deliberate focus and steady resilience can navigate competitive challenges.\n\n• Align Purpose with Career: Choose a demanding career path like civil services only with genuine dedication to its duties. A clear inner conviction sustains an aspirant through intense testing stages.\n• Convert Setbacks into Progress: An initial setback should serve as feedback rather than a full stop. Analyzing shortcomings between attempts can propel an aspirant straight into the top merit bracket.\n• Cultivate Daily Learning Habits: Commit to daily newspaper reading and staying updated on real-world events. Consistent, habitual study delivers the depth required for complex examinations.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/philma-se-mili-rashtraseva-ki-sikha-aura-dusare-prayasa-men-pai-27vin-rainka-aisi-rahi-pulkit-garg-ke-ias-banane-ki-raha-53180",
  "category": "Success Stories",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-29",
  "tags": [
    "Pulkit Garg",
    "IAS Officer",
    "Chitrakoot DM",
    "UPSC Preparation",
    "IIT Delhi",
    "Success Story"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "This account provides practical takeaways for competitive exam aspirants regarding persistence and career orientation.\n\n• Preparation Strategy: Habitual newspaper reading is highlighted as essential for current affairs preparation. Aspirants should dedicate time daily to understand national developments rather than relying solely on shortcuts.\n• Career Orientation: Civil services should be chosen based on genuine interest in administrative work rather than superficial prestige. The demanding nature of the examination and field assignments requires deep personal commitment.\n• Bouncing Back: Experiencing a setback in the initial attempt does not preclude top-tier success later. Moving from an unsuccessful 2014 attempt to Rank 27 in 2015 underlines the value of self-evaluation and disciplined refinement.\n• Local Development: For the residents of Chitrakoot, focused administration brings systematic planning to civic infrastructure. Administrative efforts aim to equip the historic town with modern facilities comparable to larger cities.",
  "whyItHappened": "Pulkit Garg's selection into the civil services and subsequent posting as Chitrakoot DM stemmed from early motivation paired with methodical preparation.\n\n• Initial Trigger: Watching an inspiring sports film in Class 8 cultivated a desire to contribute directly to the country. This clarity prompted him to set his long-term sights on administrative service well before finishing school.\n• Dual Focus in College: While completing his engineering degree at IIT Delhi, he began laying the foundation for civil services studies. Starting early enabled him to balance technical coursework with general studies.\n• Course Correction: Missing selection in his first attempt in 2014 led to an objective assessment of his preparation gaps. Applying these refinements in his 2015 attempt earned him All India Rank 27 and a placement in the Uttar Pradesh cadre.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "Where is Chitrakoot DM Pulkit Garg originally from?",
      "answer": "Pulkit Garg is originally from Haryana, and his family currently lives in Delhi."
    },
    {
      "question": "Where did Pulkit Garg complete his higher education?",
      "answer": "He completed his BTech degree from IIT Delhi in 2014."
    },
    {
      "question": "What rank did Pulkit Garg secure in the UPSC examination?",
      "answer": "He secured All India Rank 27 in his second attempt in 2015, joining the IAS in the 2016 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre."
    },
    {
      "question": "How did Pulkit Garg find the inspiration to pursue civil services?",
      "answer": "Watching the film 'Chak De! India' in Class 8 sparked his desire for national service, leading him to start preparation in college."
    },
    {
      "question": "What administrative roles did he hold prior to his posting in Chitrakoot?",
      "answer": "He served as Assistant Magistrate in Bulandshahr, Joint Magistrate in Baghpat, CDO in Siddharthnagar, Municipal Commissioner in Jhansi, and at the Varanasi Development Authority."
    },
    {
      "question": "What advice did he offer to UPSC aspirants?",
      "answer": "He stressed the daily habit of reading newspapers and urged only deeply committed candidates to take up the challenging preparation."
    }
  ],
  "inspiration": "Pulkit Garg's journey illustrates how deliberate focus and steady resilience can navigate competitive challenges.\n\n• Align Purpose with Career: Choose a demanding career path like civil services only with genuine dedication to its duties. A clear inner conviction sustains an aspirant through intense testing stages.\n• Convert Setbacks into Progress: An initial setback should serve as feedback rather than a full stop. Analyzing shortcomings between attempts can propel an aspirant straight into the top merit bracket.\n• Cultivate Daily Learning Habits: Commit to daily newspaper reading and staying updated on real-world events. Consistent, habitual study delivers the depth required for complex examinations."
}