Friendship goals: 2 Karnataka candidates feature among top 50 in UPSC rank list

For Rangamanju, 29, this was his sixth attempt at the UPSC, and for Sachin, it was his fourth. Both faced their share of setbacks, from the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic to the mental and physical toll of the demanding exam.

“Relief is the first emotion. The fact that you don’t have to go through the gruelling examination and interview process again is a relief,” said Sachin, a 27-year-old MBBS graduate from Davangere’s JJM Medical College. “After enough setbacks, this feels like a dream come true.”

As the first civil servant in his family, Sachin who primarily hails from Haveri, credits his parents, Basavaraj B G and Vinodha, for their unwavering support. His brother Rahul and uncle Bhagyawan also played a crucial role in keeping him motivated.

Meanwhile, Rangamanju, whose father late R Ramesh was a 2006-batch IPS officer and former DIG, found inspiration closer to home. A graduate of Bangalore Medical College, he was drawn to the UPSC by a desire to make a difference, much like his father. “Not just that, the urge to contribute to society and tackle governance challenges, especially those posed by AI, drove me. It will be interesting to see how we can navigate through these challenging times,” he said.

The duo’s friendship, built on mutual respect and complementary strengths, was a cornerstone of their success. “We belong to different schools of thought, which gave us alternate perspectives,” Rangamanju explained. “I pushed him, he pushed me, and we shared resources.”

Their bond helped them weather the mental loneliness and health challenges that come with UPSC preparation. “Mental health is critical,” Sachin emphasised, recalling how he pushed through moments of isolation after clearing the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) prelims.

Rangamanju, too, spoke of sacrifices, like missing friends’ weddings, family events, gaining weight, all that took a toll on his mental and physical health. Yet, their camaraderie kept them grounded.

“We studied together. Although consistent efforts made the difference, a pinch of luck did play a role for our success,” Rangamanju said.

Both aspirants adopted a disciplined approach, referring to previous toppers’ answer copies and focusing on consistent answer writing. “There’s no magic wand,” Sachin advised. “Be consistent, overcome setbacks, and stay mentally well.” Rangamanju stressed the importance of answer writing calling it the “fulcrum” of the exam.

Sachin, inspired by civil servants like a doctor-turned-Deputy Commissioner during the Covid-19 crisis , dreams of contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. “IAS fits my motto of personal liberation and societal welfare,” he said. Rangamanju, meanwhile, is eager to address governance challenges with careful judgment and evolving structure of governance.

For Rangamanju, the UPSC interview felt like a “religious pilgrimage”. “I enjoyed it, and the board president was like God,” he said, reflecting on his first interview experience.
“Be consistent, practice answer writing, and surround yourself with good friends and maintain a healthy mental and physical health,” is their advice to UPSC aspirants.

Meanwhile, some other UPSC toppers from Karnataka are Anupriya Sakya (AIR 120), Madhavi R (AIR 446), Prativa Kama (AIR 461), Abhisheel Jaiswal (538), and Vishakha Kadam (AIR 962).