Quick Profile:
- Full Name: B. Laxmi Rachana
- UPSC Rank: AIR 178, UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025
- Optional Subject: Anthropology
- Number of Attempts: 4th Attempt (first appeared in 2022)
- Home District: Ranga Reddy District, Telangana
- Educational Qualification: B.Tech in Electrical Engineering, IIT Indore, 2021
- Previous Role: Assistant Director, Sports Authority of India (SAI)
- Coaching: La Excellence IAS Academy, Hyderabad — Core Batch
- Mentor(s): La Excellence Faculty Team — GS, Ethics, Essay and Mains Mentorship
- Result Date: 2025 UPSC CSE Final Result
B. Laxmi Rachana secured AIR 178 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. She chose Anthropology as her optional subject. She completed her B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Indore . She cleared the CSE exam in her fourth attempt. She was part of La Excellence IAS Core Batch during 2025 UPSC CSE exam. She is currently working as an Assistant Director in the Sports Authority of India.
After her success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, Laxmi Rachana along with her family visited La Excellence IAS. This institute is closely associated with her preparation journey. The La Excellence faculty and students warmly congratulated her, and she shared her experiences and preparation insights with the students. The Interaction went as below:
Laxmi Rachana, Tell us something about yourself and your family.
I am from Ranga Reddy district in Telangana. My father, B. Venkata Ramana is working as a software engineer at Wipro in Hyderabad, and my mother, Dr. Tulasi, is a gynecologist. My Parents are my inspiration. Growing up, I saw them working very sincerely in their respective jobs. This taught me the importance of hard work, responsibility, and commitment from an early age.
My younger sister Meghana has recently graduated and is now working as an IT professional. My family always valued education and hard work. My parents were very supportive throughout my preparation journey and stood by me during every phase, including the difficult moments when results did not go as expected.
Talking to us, Laxmi Rachana’s mother shared one incident that happened when the UPSC results were announced. Her mother was at the Ranga Reddy Collectorate office working on cervical screening programs for women. When she heard the result, she proudly told the Collector:
“Sir, now my daughter is also a Collector.”
How was your academic journey before UPSC?
I completed my schooling from Sri Chaitanya School, Kukatpally and passed out with a 10/10 CGPA in 2015. Later, I completed my Intermediate at Sri Chaitanya Junior College and scored 980 marks in 2017.
After that, I joined B.Tech in Electrical Engineering in IIT Indore . I graduated in 2021 with an 8 CGPA. Along with academics, I actively participated in campus activities. I worked as the coordinator of Avana Club, where we organized a plantation drive, and due to my passion in Photography, I also led Photography Club.
These activities helped me in developing teamwork, leadership, and organizational skills, which later helped me during my UPSC preparation.
Laxmi Rachana has shared few memories with us:
You worked in the electric vehicle sector after graduation. What was your role and how did that experience influence you?
I graduated from IIT Indore in 2021 and then joined Bajaj Automobile, where I worked in the electric vehicles division. My work mainly involved coding for the EV motor control unit. It was a good learning experience because the electric mobility sector is growing fast and constantly bringing new technologies.
During this time, I also got to see how real-world problems are solved through teamwork and innovation. At the same time, I started thinking more about larger issues related to development, governance, and public policy. Gradually, this interest encouraged me to prepare seriously for the Civil Services Examination, as I wanted to contribute to society in a broader way.
Can you briefly describe your UPSC journey?
My UPSC journey took four attempts.
I gave my first attempt in 2022 while I was still working. I consider it more like an exploratory attempt because I had not prepared seriously at that time.
After leaving my job, I started preparing in a more focused and systematic way. In my second attempt in 2023, I reached the UPSC Interview stage. That experience gave me confidence and also helped me understand the areas where I needed to improve.
In 2024, I cleared Prelims, but I could not clear Mains. It was a challenging phase, but it helped me rethink my strategy. I focused more on answer writing practice, regular revisions, and improving my conceptual clarity.
Finally, in my fourth attempt in 2025, I was able to clear all stages of the exam and secured AIR 178.
| Attempt | Year | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2022 | Attempted while working — Not a serious attempt |
| 2nd | 2023 | Interview Stage |
| 3rd | 2024 | Cleared Prelims, did not clear Mains |
| 4th ✅ | 2025 | AIR 178 — Final Selection |
The above chart shows that UPSC success often comes through learning, adapting strategy, and improving across attempts.
Why did you choose Anthropology as your optional subject?
Choosing the optional subject is one of the most important decisions in UPSC preparation. I chose Anthropology because the syllabus is relatively compact and the concepts are quite clear and easy to understand.
Since I come from an engineering background, I found topics like human evolution and biological anthropology quite interesting. At the same time, the subject also deals with tribal communities, social structures, and cultural practices, which are closely related to society and governance.
Another reason I chose Anthropology was that it allows us to present answers using diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, which helps in writing clearer and better answers in the exam.
What role did La Excellence IAS play in your preparation?
La Excellence IAS played a very important role in the final phase of my preparation. Being part of the Core Batch gave me a structured environment where I could focus seriously on my studies, especially on answer writing practice and regular revision. The program helped me stay consistent through continuous practice, discussions, and guidance from mentors.
Another important aspect of the Core Batch was the peer learning environment. Preparing with dedicated aspirants created a disciplined atmosphere where we motivated each other to improve. The faculty and mentors also helped me refine my answer writing approach and identify areas where I needed improvement.
I would also like to mention the guidance and encouragement I received from Sai Bhargava sir, who is currently working as an IRMS officer, and Sai Chaitanya Jadhav sir, who is an IAS officer. Their insights and mentorship were very helpful during my preparation.
Overall, the Core Batch at La Excellence provided both academic guidance and a supportive environment, which played an important role in my UPSC journey.
Did you have strong peer support during your preparation?
Yes, the peer support in the La Excellence Core Batch was very valuable for me. Preparing for UPSC can sometimes feel like a long and lonely journey, but having serious aspirants around you makes a big difference.
Some of my friends and batchmates supported me a lot during this phase. Among them, Vihari, who is currently working in AP Group-1 services, helped me during my preparation for the Forest Service examination. My hostel roommate Meghana was also a strong support system, especially during stressful times.
Vinay, who is currently preparing for the Indian Forest Service interview, also helped me during my Forest Service preparation. Having friends who understand the challenges of this exam helps you stay motivated and focused.
All of us were part of the La Excellence Core Batch, and that shared journey created a strong bond and a positive learning environment. I also wish Vihari and Vinay all the very best for their Forest Service interviews.
During the UPSC Mains phase, I wrote my daily mains tests as part of the La Excellence Core Batch. In this picture, you can see me sitting in the middle row, on the third bench, just behind Srujana, who later secured AIR 55 in UPSC CSE 2025. Interestingly, Sravan Kumar, who secured AIR 768 in the same examination, was seated right in front of her. Ramu and Panduranga are also visible in the picture writing the daily test. In fact, six rankers from the Core Batch can be seen in this single frame.
Looking back at that moment now feels quite special. Many of us who prepared together in the La Excellence Core Batch eventually secured ranks in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025. It truly reflects the strength of the environment there, where studying alongside dedicated peers keeps you motivated and constantly pushes you to improve.
“The structured preparation system and peer support at La Excellence helped me refine my approach and stay consistent in preparation.”
— B. Laxmi Rachana, AIR 178, UPSC CSE 2025.
Anthropology Optional — Strategy and Approach
Why did you choose Anthropology? What are your sources for the subject?
When it came to choosing my optional subject, I decided to go with Anthropology. One of the main reasons was that the subject has clear concepts and a relatively compact syllabus, which makes it manageable during long preparation cycles.
I also found the subject genuinely interesting. Anthropology talks about human evolution, tribal societies, and different cultures, which helped me understand many social issues in a better way. My personal interest in the subject helped me stay consistent and motivated throughout my preparation.
Books and Sources I Used:
For Anthropology, I tried to keep my sources limited and focused. My preparation mainly depended on standard anthropology textbooks, previous year UPSC Anthropology question papers, and my class notes and revision material. I also referred to a few online resources and diagrams to improve my conceptual clarity.
Instead of collecting too many sources, I focused more on revising the same material multiple times, which helped me understand the subject better and remember it during the exam.
What was your Approach for Answer Writing?
For Anthropology, presentation matters a lot. In my answers, I tried to incorporate diagrams, flowcharts, and citing anthropological thinkers wherever possible. This not only improves clarity but also helps present concepts more effectively.
How PYQ Analysis helped you?
I spent a good amount of time going through previous year UPSC questions. This helped me understand the important themes in Anthropology and also gave me a clear idea of how UPSC usually frames questions in the subject.
What was your Revision Strategy?
Revision played a very important role in my preparation. I revised the entire optional four times.
- Two revisions before Prelims
- One detailed revision during the Mains preparation phase
- One final quick revision just before the exam
These repeated revisions helped me remember the concepts clearly and also improve my answer writing in the exam.
Any Support from La Excellence IAS?
The guidance I received at La Excellence IAS helped me improve both my conceptual clarity and answer presentation. Discussions with mentors like Sai Chaitanya Jadhav (IAS) sir and with my peers helped me understand how to approach Anthropology answers in a clearer and more effective way.
What was your General Studies Preparation Strategy?
For General Studies, I tried to keep my preparation simple and well organized. I followed limited sources and focused on revising them multiple times instead of collecting too much material.
GS Paper 1 — History, Geography, and Society
For GS-1, I relied mainly on standard history and geography books along with current affairs.
My preparation focused particularly on social issues, post-independence history, and physical geography, as these areas often appear in the examination.
GS Paper 2 — Polity, Governance, and International Relations
For GS Paper-2, my preparation mainly focused on polity textbooks, government reports, and important government schemes, integrating them with Current Affairs.
I paid special attention to constitutional provisions, welfare schemes, and India’s foreign policy, as these topics are frequently asked in the examination.
GS Paper 3 — Economy, Environment, Science & Technology
For GS-3, I focused on economy resources like Economic Survey, gist of environmental reports, and current affairs.
My preparation emphasized areas like government schemes, biodiversity and environmental issues, and emerging technologies.
GS Paper 4 — Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
For GS Paper-4 (Ethics), I mainly focused on ethics notes and practicing case studies regularly. I tried to build clarity on ethical frameworks, values, and practical decision-making, which are important for solving case studies in the exam. The tips and guidance from Kalyan Sir also helped me understand how to approach Ethics answers better.
Essay Preparation
For the Essay paper, my approach was to write essays that combine values, philosophical perspectives, governance issues, and current affairs examples.
I tried to ensure that my essays had a balanced structure and a clear flow of ideas.
CSAT Preparation
For CSAT, I maintained regular practice to ensure that I comfortably crossed the qualifying threshold.
Consistent practice helped me maintain speed and accuracy.
What was the strategy for your UPSC Interview Preparation?
I appeared before the UPSC Personality Test Board in 2025.
My preparation for the interview included:
- Mock interviews
- Regular newspaper reading and Revision of current affairs
- Reflecting on my own background and experiences as mentioned in the DAF.
The focus during interview preparation was not just on knowledge, but on developing clarity of opinion, analytical thinking, and balanced perspectives. That helped me score 204 in my Personality Test.
Laxmi Rachana’s Interaction with Students at La Excellence IAS
During an interaction session at La Excellence IAS, Laxmi Rachana answered several questions from students preparing for the UPSC examination.
Her responses reflected the lessons she learned through multiple attempts.
Her Interaction with Students at La Excellence IAS
During an interaction session at La Excellence IAS, Laxmi Rachana engaged with students preparing for the Civil Services Examination and answered several questions about preparation strategy, mindset, and handling the challenges of the UPSC journey.
Her responses reflected the lessons she had learned through multiple attempts, setbacks, and eventual success in UPSC CSE 2025 (AIR 178).
1. Balancing Prelims, Mains, and Interview
Student (Pravallika Banavath):
Mam, How should we balance preparation for Prelims, Mains, and the Interview stage?
Laxmi Rachana:
Prelims should be treated as a qualifying stage. If you are a beginner, you can start serious preparation around November. Clearing Prelims alone does not bring any medal, so it is important to start preparing for Mains early and not wait until after Prelims.
For the Interview stage, developing personality and awareness is important. Regular newspaper reading and pursuing hobbies help build perspective and confidence.
2. Choosing the Optional Subject
Student (Rishita):
Mam, How should we choose our optional subject?
Laxmi Rachana:
The most important factor should be your interest in the subject. Trends and scoring patterns keep changing every year.
For example, recently subjects like Economics, Physics, and Commerce & Accountancy have produced many top ranks. But trends should not be the main factor. The safest choice is always a subject you genuinely enjoy studying and can stay consistent with for a long time.
3. Handling Unpredictable Questions
Student (Radhy Pandya):
Mam, How should we deal with uncertain or unexpected questions in the exam?
Laxmi Rachana:
UPSC often throws what we call “bouncer questions.” You cannot predict everything.
The key is to stay calm, follow the structure of answer writing, and manage your time effectively. These unexpected questions usually do not decide the final result, so aspirants should not panic.
4. Importance of Newspaper Reading
Student:
Mam, How important is daily newspaper reading for UPSC preparation?
Laxmi Rachana:
Newspapers are definitely important, but quality of reading matters more than quantity.
If I miss reading the newspaper on a particular day, I refer to monthly magazines to cover important developments. Many institutions also provide summaries and analysis videos, which can help in understanding issues better.
5. UPSC as a “Snake and Ladder Game”
Student:
Akka, UPSC preparation often feels like a snake-and-ladder game. How should we deal with this uncertainty?
Laxmi Rachana:
That analogy is actually very accurate.
In this journey, it is important to identify your weak areas and work on them consistently. Improving weak areas helps you climb the ladder, while ignoring them can become a snake trap.
Preparation requires continuous self-correction and careful focus.
6. Mistakes to Avoid During Preparation
Student:
Mam, What are some common mistakes aspirants should avoid?
Laxmi Rachana:
One common mistake is choosing the optional subject without proper thought. Aspirants should be very careful while selecting their optional.
Another important aspect is maintaining a realistic preparation schedule. You must take every stage of the exam seriously and prepare accordingly.
7. Anthropology Optional Strategy
Student:
Mam, How did you prepare for Anthropology optional?
Laxmi Rachana:
Anthropology requires multiple revisions.
My revision strategy included:
- Two revisions before Prelims
- One detailed revision during the Mains preparation phase
- One final quick revision just before the Mains examination
Consistent revision helped me retain concepts and improve answer presentation.
8. Coping with Stress During Preparation
Student Ramya:
How did you deal with stress during UPSC preparation?
Laxmi Rachana:
You have to continue preparing even during mental stress, because the exam does not wait for the perfect mood.
Having a good peer group, sharing your thoughts, and seeking support from family members helps a lot in managing stress.
9. Other Competitive Exams Attempted
Student:
Did you attempt any other competitive examinations during your UPSC preparation?
Laxmi Rachana:
Yes, during my UPSC preparation years, I also explored a few other competitive opportunities. Along with my civil services preparation, I also prepared for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) examination. Preparing for IFoS helped me strengthen my conceptual understanding and broaden my approach to subjects that overlap with UPSC.
I was also selected as an Assistant Director in the Sports Authority of India (SAI) through their recruitment process. As part of that role, I am undergoing training in Patiala.
Appearing for these examinations helped me develop better discipline, subject depth, and exam temperament, which ultimately helped me in my UPSC preparation as well.
Her Message to Students:
” Life is beyond UPSC. Give your fullest possible to the exam but do not forget there is life outside UPSC exam. Make everything count. Do not miss the smallest of the experiences that defines your life.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many attempts did Laxmi Rachana take to clear UPSC?
Laxmi Rachana cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 in her fourth attempt. She began her UPSC journey in 2021.
What was Laxmi Rachana’s optional subject?
Her optional subject was Anthropology.
Was Laxmi Rachana already a government officer before UPSC?
Yes. She was selected as Assistant Director in the Sports Authority of India before clearing UPSC.
Which coaching institute did Laxmi Rachana attend?
Laxmi Rachana was part of La Excellence IAS Academy’s Core Batch in Hyderabad.
What rank did Laxmi Rachana secure in UPSC CSE 2025?
She secured All India Rank 178 in UPSC CSE 2025.
Where is Laxmi Rachana from?
Laxmi Rachana is from Ranga Reddy District, Telangana.
What is Laxmi Rachana’s educational qualification?
She completed B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Indore in 2021 with 8 CGPA.
Key Lessons we learnt from Laxmi Rachana’s Journey
- Persistence Wins: UPSC success often comes after several attempts and continuous improvement.
- Peer Ecosystem Matters: A strong peer group helps maintain motivation and accountability.
- Test Practice is Crucial: Mock tests and answer writing improve performance in Mains.
- Optional Subject Should Be Interest-Based: Interest helps sustain long preparation cycles.
- Emotional Stability Matters: Journaling, family support, and self-reflection help manage stress.
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