‘Double Joy’: IOCL Chairman Congratulates Odisha’s Animesh Pradhan For UPSC 2nd Rank

Bhubaneswar: IOCL chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya has congratulated Odisha’s Animesh Pradhan, who secured 2nd rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2023 in his first attempt.

“Thrilled to celebrate the stellar achievement of our very own Animesh Pradhan. Hearty congrats to this extraordinary IOCian who secured the 2nd rank in the Civil Services exam in the 1st attempt, rising above challenges,” he posted on X.

Vaidya added that it’s double joy for him since they are both alumni of NIT-Rourkela. “Best wishes to Animesh in realising his dream to serve the nation and transform lives,” he added. 

Animesh, who belong to coal town of Talcher, completed BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT-Rourkela in 2021 and was working as information system officer with Indian Oil Corporation Limited.

He did his schooling from Kalinga DAV School in Talcher and scored 98.8% in Class XII.

Also Read: Know About UPSC CSE 2023 Rank 2 Holder Animesh Pradhan From Odisha

He secured the 2nd rank in the civil services exam despite all adversities and the pain of losing both his parents. While his father, Prabhakar Pradhan, passed away in December 2015, he lost his mother, Aruna Patra, to cancer last month during his interview preparation. He kept sociology as his optional subject and did not join any coaching institute full time, focusing instead on home studies and mock interviews by experts. “This was a dream from my higher secondary school days. It has finally come true. I wish, my parents were alive to see me become an IAS officer,” the 24-year-old told the media.

It is after 20 year that Animesh has come close to Roopa Mishra’s number one rank in the CSE.