Hanamkonda Constable’s Son Clears IAS In First Attempt!

By Vijay Shanker

Akshaya Kumar Yadavalli, 23 years old, doesn’t look like a regular IAS aspirant at the first glance. He is young, and for his age he could be a software guy, or a front desk manager at the CCD( our meeting venue, at Hyderabad’s upscale Himayatnagar ), or could be a budding actor, trying his luck for a career in Telugu or Hindi film industry( he has Greek God good looks) . But here he is, an IAS in his very first attempt, at a young age of 23 years. Son of a humble Telangana police constable father and a home maker mother, hailing from Hanamkonda near Warangal in Telanagana, he is an avid film buff and a great fan and follower of film director Ram Gopal Verma.

He vividly remembers his formative years spent at Hanamkonda in Telangana. His police constable father used to take him to district police head quarters at Warangal and other places of his posting. So, did that inspire him, I asked frankly. “I don’t know”. I was too young at that time. But whatever I used to see there influenced me in the sense that I inculcated high regards and values for the police department and for my dad. I liked the discipline of the police force.”

Also Read: IAS Topper Anudeep Durishetty Success Secrets: How To Become No.1

Another source of high values and disciplined learning was his schooling at S.R. Educational Centre, Hanamkonda, a Gurukul Style school, where Akshaya did most of his schooling. Later he joined NIT Bhopal for his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering. “I never enjoyed studying Chemical Engineering, so much so that I used to bunk my classes and always managed with last minute preparations. I was more interested in high speed wi-fi around the NIT Campus and the computer lab.”

The high speed internet access at NIT Bhopal became a source of watching films, which soon became an addiction. “I used to watch six movies every day. I became a follower of R.G.V., the person, through his movies. His life philosophy, communicated through his innumerable videos over You Tube and propagated through his fast paced movies largely influenced my thought process and life philosophy. I became clear about what I wanted from my life and career. R.G.V., without meeting me in person, helped understand the society, situations and people. His influence greatly molded my thought processes and character”.

So when did the idea of joining Civil Services strike you finally, and when did you start seriously preparing for the Civil Services exams ?

“It was in my final year of B.Tech studies. The year was 2016. First I familiarized myself with the syllabus, which was pretty vast. Then I started with the prescribed books on “Indian Polity.” This not only helped me in the prelims but also in my mains in 2017, because Political Science and International Relations were my main subjects.”

“ Selection of appropriate subjects is one of the crucial aspects for success in Civil Services examination. First, I was planning to take mathematics due to my engineering background. But, my mentors and teachers at the coaching advised me against it. Mathematics is considered a very risky option for Civil Services. It can either give very high scores or, many a times, very low marks in the mains, hence diminishing your chances. Political Science, one of the subjects of my choice, has always been a safe and secure option. With 60 % of the syllabus already covered in General Studies paper, only 40% remains to be covered and focused upon.”

So, what drove you during the course of the high speed, intense UPSC preparation?

“Two things drove me. First and foremost was my interest in the subject. This gave me a good level of grasping which helped me in retention of the studied topics of the syllabus. Secondly, my career goals, as I always felt that routine desk jobs won’t suit me. I always wanted a more challenging, diverse and complex job. And this suits me. A young guy can do a lot more through civil services for the people, for the society and for the country. Therefore, interest is the key. If one has deep interest, one will definitely clear/crack the exam - if not in the first attempt then at least in the 2nd or 3rd attempt.”

Is joining a coaching/ tutorial class is important for a civil services aspirant? If yes, how?

“ Well, it depends and varies from person to person. I joined a coaching institute in Hyderabad in the middle of my preparation. I had already covered a sizeable part of the syllabus till then through self- study. I felt like I was wasting my time at the coaching. I opted out of the coaching and mostly prepared through self-study. Ms. Bal Latha from CSB was my mentor and she helped me a great deal in my preparation.”

“Majority of the aspirants join one or the other institute at the very formative stage of their preparation. They are largely dependent on the coaching. They feel satisfied and follow the pattern, unlike somebody like me who was already halfway through the syllabus at the time of joining the coaching centre. I felt let down by the coaching centre, since my expectations were very high. But this varies from candidate to candidate. One thing is sure - no coaching institute can guarantee you 100 % success in the Civil Services Examination. Ninety percent of the work will be through the intelligent, hard work of the candidate himself and only ten percent will be in the form of guidance of the coaching centre/mentor. All coaching institutes are the same. There is hardly any difference or no difference at all.”

What is his advice to the future aspirants?

“ Most important is to maintain consistency during the period of preparation for one to one and a half year. Sticking to the syllabus is very crucial and so is reading standard books, as soon as possible, when one decides that this (Civil Services) is my calling. Intensive brushing up of last one year of current affairs is a must. Also, the clarity of purpose is very important, i.e. why are you appearing for this exam? What you want out of it? Make sure that you have answers to these questions, while preparing for the various stages of this exam.”

How was your interview and how you prepared for that?

“My interview was very informal. They focused on my interests and hobbies. I was reading through two national news papers for last many years and that helped. Interview was easy and like a cake walk. My advice to the future aspirants will be, “be yourself.”

So, are you happy now, after your early success?

“I was just another ordinary guy till the results were announced. Everything has changed thereafter. I feel more like a responsible guy now. I am happy because I cleared the exam in my first attempt. But I am a tad unhappy and disappointed on account of my ranking which is 624. I had always aspired, dreamt and worked towards a ranking in the top 100.”

So, what next?

“I will be going for my training in a couple of weeks. Then, I am definitely thinking of making a second attempt for a higher ranking and better career prospects”.

I wish him all the very best on behalf of the Team EDINBOX. He is just 23 and an IAS. Sky is the limit for him. We walk towards his hostel in the Ashok Nagar area near busy RTC Cross Roads in Hyderabad. Ashok Nagar is the hub of civil services coaching in Hyderabad, very much like Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, near the North Campus of Delhi University. We pass by giant size posters of latest RGV Telugu film starring Nagarjuna. The popular culture of films and the related thought processes can inspire one in so many ways - like R.G.V. motivating and inspiring Akshaya for his chosen career.