A young engineer from the small town of Harda in Madhya Pradesh has made headlines after walking away from a ₹2.3 crore annual salary package to chase a dream of public service — and succeeding in his very first attempt. Shreyansh Bardia secured All India Rank 194 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, completing his preparation in just nine months and clearing every stage of one of the country's most competitive exams without a second chance needed.

Six Years in IT, One Decision That Changed Everything

Shreyansh completed his B.Tech from IIT Mumbai in 2018 and joined a software company in Gurugram as a software engineer. Over the next six years, he built a successful career in the IT sector, eventually drawing an annual package of ₹2.3 crore. By every conventional measure, his professional life was set.

But the comfort came without contentment. Inspired by friends already serving in civil services, the idea of joining public administration began taking shape in his mind. Several times during his six-year career, he planned to prepare for UPSC — but never acted on it.

That changed in August 2024, when Shreyansh finally listened to his instincts, informed his family, and resigned from his job.

Nine Months, First Attempt, AIR 194

After quitting, Shreyansh stayed in Mumbai and dedicated himself entirely to UPSC preparation. His timeline was sharp and disciplined — Prelims in May 2025, Mains in August 2025, and the Personality Interview in January 2026. Each stage cleared on the first attempt. The final result placed him at All India Rank 194 in UPSC Civil Services 2025.

'I Was in Two Minds' — Shreyansh on Leaving His Comfort Zone

Describing the mental struggle of leaving a high-paying career, Shreyansh said he was caught between two thoughts — one telling him that life was comfortable and settled, and another insisting that true satisfaction was missing.

"I want to look back at my life in the future and feel that I was able to do something meaningful for my society and country," he said, explaining the choice that led him to walk away from financial security in pursuit of purpose.

Focus Areas: Primary Education and Healthcare

Shreyansh has already mapped out his priorities as a civil servant. He wants to work on strengthening primary education — particularly addressing the acute shortage of teachers in government schools across rural areas. He believes that quality foundational education is what shapes the future of any society.

In healthcare, his focus will be on reducing out-of-pocket expenditure — the direct costs that ordinary families bear when accessing medical treatment. Bringing these expenses down, he says, is critical to making healthcare genuinely accessible for every Indian household.

Family Background

Shreyansh's family currently lives in Mumbai. His father, GD Bardia, has served as District Treasury Officer in Narmadapuram and has also held the position of President of the Mehr Garwal Samaj. In the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, his father contested as a candidate for a legislative seat. After Shreyansh's result was announced, the family returned to Madhya Pradesh together, visiting relatives in Bhopal before heading back to their home district of Harda.

MP Shines in UPSC 2025

Shreyansh's achievement is part of a strong performance by Madhya Pradesh in UPSC 2025. Two candidates from the state featured in the top ten national rankings. Bhopal's Ishan Bhatnagar secured a top-five rank, while Pakshal, a secretary from Dhar district, claimed 8th rank nationally. A total of 958 candidates qualified across various services in the final result.