
From a ₹1 Crore Job in South Korea to UPSC Topper
What Happened?
Kanishak Kataria, an IIT Bombay alumnus, left a lucrative job at Samsung in South Korea to pursue UPSC, achieving All India Rank 1 in 2018. His decision was influenced by a desire for public service.
Key points
- Kanishak Kataria earned nearly ₹1 crore annually at Samsung Electronics.
- He secured All India Rank 1 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018.
- Kataria's family background includes IAS officers, influencing his career choice.
- He studied Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, graduating in 2014.
- Kataria prepared for UPSC for about a year, studying 8-14 hours daily.
- His first attempt at UPSC resulted in a score of 1,121 out of 2,025.
Key insights
- Kataria's success may inspire others to prioritize public service over lucrative careers.
- His background in engineering provided a unique perspective on governance.
- The decision to switch careers reflects a growing trend among youth towards civil services.
Why it matters
Kataria's journey highlights the value of pursuing passion over financial gain.
Entities
Source
India Today

