Ritika, Harshita drive Odisha’s success story in UPSC exam | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: For 24-year-old Ritika Rath, perseverance, self-confidence and consistency paid off as she cleared the UPSC exam, securing an impressive 48th rank. A management graduate from IIM Indore, this was Ritika’s third attempt.
Ritika completed her higher secondary education in Delhi before joining the corporate world for a brief period. “I had taken up a job after college but soon realised that my true calling lay in civil services. I quit my job and began preparing for UPSC,” said Ritika, who hails from Bhubaneswar and is the daughter of Shishir Ratho, a retired principal chief conservator of forests.
“My mother stood like a rock to support me when self-doubt affected me during preparations. I focused on setting priorities and followed a strict routine,” she said expressing her desire to work in the sector of education and women empowerment.
Harshita Agrawal from Cuttack, who secured 163rd rank, said consistency is the key to success. Hailing from a business family, Harshita is currently working as a railway officer. “Preparing from my hometown Cuttack and relying mostly on online study materials, I realised that consistency and self-discipline matter more than location or coaching. The journey was challenging but staying focused helped me secure the rank,” Harshita said.
More than 15 from Odisha make it to the final list of qualified candidates in the UPSC’s civil services examination, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.
Abhijeet Mallick, son of a firefighter from Cuttack, cleared the UPSC exam in his very first attempt, securing 979 rank.
Abhijeet, a resident of Buxi Bazar, is the son of Anam Charan Mallick, who has been serving as a firefighter for the past 28 years. The family, which lives in rented house in the locality, is overjoyed with Abhijeet’s achievement.
While talking to TOI, Abhijeet said, “It was not easy. But I always believed that hard work can bridge all gaps. I prepared on my own, getting information online from various sources. This success is dedicated to my parents, who sacrificed so much for me.”
Abhijeet did his graduation in chemistry from Ravenshaw University in 2023. Thereafter, he began his UPSC preparation with unwavering focus and self-discipline.
His father, Manas Mallick, was immensely proud of Abhijeet’s achievement. “My son’s success has brought tears to my eyes. We never had much, but we always had dreams for our children,” said Manas.
Ritika completed her higher secondary education in Delhi before joining the corporate world for a brief period. “I had taken up a job after college but soon realised that my true calling lay in civil services. I quit my job and began preparing for UPSC,” said Ritika, who hails from Bhubaneswar and is the daughter of Shishir Ratho, a retired principal chief conservator of forests.
“My mother stood like a rock to support me when self-doubt affected me during preparations. I focused on setting priorities and followed a strict routine,” she said expressing her desire to work in the sector of education and women empowerment.
Harshita Agrawal from Cuttack, who secured 163rd rank, said consistency is the key to success. Hailing from a business family, Harshita is currently working as a railway officer. “Preparing from my hometown Cuttack and relying mostly on online study materials, I realised that consistency and self-discipline matter more than location or coaching. The journey was challenging but staying focused helped me secure the rank,” Harshita said.
More than 15 from Odisha make it to the final list of qualified candidates in the UPSC’s civil services examination, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.
Abhijeet Mallick, son of a firefighter from Cuttack, cleared the UPSC exam in his very first attempt, securing 979 rank.
Abhijeet, a resident of Buxi Bazar, is the son of Anam Charan Mallick, who has been serving as a firefighter for the past 28 years. The family, which lives in rented house in the locality, is overjoyed with Abhijeet’s achievement.
While talking to TOI, Abhijeet said, “It was not easy. But I always believed that hard work can bridge all gaps. I prepared on my own, getting information online from various sources. This success is dedicated to my parents, who sacrificed so much for me.”
Abhijeet did his graduation in chemistry from Ravenshaw University in 2023. Thereafter, he began his UPSC preparation with unwavering focus and self-discipline.
His father, Manas Mallick, was immensely proud of Abhijeet’s achievement. “My son’s success has brought tears to my eyes. We never had much, but we always had dreams for our children,” said Manas.
