Brahmapur: Four former students of Odisha’s Khallikote Unitary University (KKU), erstwhile Khallikote Autonomous College, have cleared the prestigious “Combined Geo-Scientist Examination (CGSE)-2026, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The results were published recently. They will join as scientists in the government-run Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Sruti Das (27), from the 2018-21 batch in Plus III, achieved All India Rank (AIR)-2 in Group A Geologist category. A resident of Berhampur, Das said her hard work paid off. She was determined to achieve her goal. In Plus III, she was awarded a gold medal for academic excellence.
Lipsarani Prusty (27), who completed post-graduation in Geology from the erstwhile college in 2021, secured AIR 5 in Scientist (Hydrogeology) in the GCSE-2026. Her father is a small businessman in Tolkani village in Jajpur district.
Monalisha Sahu (26), a resident of Dandimaha in Kandhamal district, secured AIR 16 rank in Scientist (Hydro geologist) category. Sahu, who was the student of the erstwhile college from 2017-20 in Plus III and studied PG in Geology there in 2020-22, also cracked the CGSE exam. This was her second success in the exam as she had cleared it last year as well.
“My AIR rank last year was 32 and reserve number 12. This year, I had reappeared to fetch better rank,” she said. “Before the publication of this year’s result, I had already got an appointment letter from the government. I will be joining the job based on last year’s result,” said Sahu, who had faced several hurdles while preparing for the exam due to poor internet network in her village.
Manoj Swain (26), resident of Meikote in Ganjam district’s Sorada block, who had studied plus III and physics honours from 2015-18 at the college (now university), secured AIR 3 rank in Geophysics. Swain did his post-graduation in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay.
“Their success is the reflection of their hard work, patience and institution’s commitment to nurturing excellence,” said Manoj Kumar Patnaik, a retired professor of Geology in the college.
The preliminary exam was held on Feb 8, while the main exam was held on June 20 and 21. The personality test was held in Sept before the publication of the results.
