“It Started As A Compulsion, Not Inspiration”: Silchar’s Vikash Yadav On Reappearing For UPSC Engineering Services, Securing AIR 25

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has recently announced the results of the Engineering Services Examination 2025, which is conducted to recruit officers for the technical services of the Government of India across various ministries and departments. From Silchar, Vikash Yadav of Bariknagar has once again made the region proud by securing an All India Rank (AIR) 25 in the examination.

Vikash is not new to this achievement. He had earlier cleared the UPSC Engineering Services Examination in 2020 with AIR 39 and is currently serving as an Assistant Director in the Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. An alumnus of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Silchar, Vikash completed his schooling and higher secondary education in Silchar before pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering from Assam Engineering College (AEC), Guwahati. His success continues to be a matter of pride not just for Cachar, but for the entire Barak Valley.

Despite already holding a prestigious government post, Vikash chose to reappear for the examination after nearly five years — a decision driven by his interest in the Indian Railways engineering services and his long-term career goals.

Barak Bulletin (BB) spoke to Vikash Yadav to understand his preparation journey, motivation behind reappearing for the examination and his future plans. Here are the edited excerpts from the conversation:

BB: What inspired you to first attempt the UPSC Engineering Services Examination?

Vikash: When I first started studying, I was actually trying to figure out civil engineering. At that time, I was also trying to understand what I wanted to do in life. Honestly, even now I am still trying out different things. My initial attempt was more of a compulsion than inspiration. Over time, I started enjoying the subject and the process. This success got highlighted because I luckily got through — nothing else.

BB: You had already cleared the examination earlier with AIR 39 in 2020. Why did you decide to reappear?

Vikash: It was because of a goal. Through this examination, you get opportunities to serve as an engineer in multiple ministries such as Defence, Railways, Road Transport, CPWD, Border Roads Organisation and Jal Shakti. After the 2020 examination, I was allotted the Ministry of Jal Shakti and have been working as an Assistant Director in the Central Water Commission for almost four years now, with postings in Pune and Delhi.

Initially, I wanted to join the Railways, but there were no vacancies for engineering services for nearly five years, as recruitment was done through the Civil Services. Since Railways cannot function without engineers, recruitment through engineering services started again, and I thought of trying once more. Luckily, I got through this time as well.

BB: How different was your preparation this time compared to your earlier attempt?

Vikash: The initial phase was tough because earlier I was relatively younger. With time, especially when you are already working as an officer, you mature and develop discipline, leadership and the ability to handle pressure. This time, I focused mainly on consistency, just like my first attempt, but with a little more wisdom. I knew I might not be as well prepared as earlier, so I just gave my best without thinking too much about the result.

BB: How did you balance your duties at the Central Water Commission with preparation?

Vikash: Discipline helps in any field. It may sound boring, but it works. I managed my time quite well, and that probably helped me the most. I also have a very good circle of friends in my office, with people from top IITs and NITs. They helped me academically and personally. Working in the Central Water Commission, which is the apex technical body in the water sector in India, also helped me stay connected to the subject.

BB: What was the biggest challenge you faced during this phase of preparation?

Vikash: Managing time was the biggest challenge. I lost my grandfather just a few weeks before my mains examination, and balancing studies with family responsibilities during that period was difficult. That was probably the toughest phase, but I managed to get through it.

BB: Many aspirants find it difficult to stay motivated once they have a secure job. What kept you going?

Vikash: It was my interest in the subject itself. I have friends doing the same job, but they couldn’t stay motivated because their aim was just to get a job. My interest was always in the subject, and that kept me going throughout the process.

BB: How did you tackle the interview this time? 

Vikash: Actually, this was my third interview, and I had cleared two of them. This one was probably much better than the previous interviews I had appeared for in UPSC. The board asked me questions regarding social media: its pros and cons, whether it should be banned for children, earthquake-resistant structures in Northeast India, the various soils in my region, and reasons for Punjab flooding, etc.

BB: Do you plan to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in the future?

Vikash: Not really. I feel the Civil Services is more of a generalist job, whereas I prefer being a specialist. Memorising large amounts of information has never been my strength, so I would rather stay in the engineering domain.

BB: Finally, what advice would you give to aspirants preparing for competitive examinations?

Vikash: Before entering any competitive examination, one must analyse whether they are doing it because of social media hype or because it is truly their inner decision. It is okay to try while figuring things out, but one should not waste their entire youth in this race. Make sure you are good at some other skill as well, so that even if the examination does not work out, you still have direction in life.

After completing undergraduate studies and graduating in civil engineering in 2017, Vikash Yadav moved to Delhi to prepare for the highly competitive UPSC Engineering Services Examination. He spent nearly two years in rigorous preparation before clearing the examination in 2020, a breakthrough that marked the beginning of his career in the central engineering services. His latest success, securing AIR 25, stands as a testament to sustained discipline, clarity of purpose and a deep-rooted interest in his chosen field. As Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said, “Excellence is a continuous process, not an accident.”