In a quiet village called Alladapeta, tucked away in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, a dream once whispered in the corner of a school classroom has turned into a nationwide inspiration. Banna Venkatesh, a son of the soil, has secured All India Rank – 15 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 — one of the most competitive and demanding exams in the country.
His story is not one built on shortcuts or privilege. It is the story of determination shaped by hardship, of ambition rooted in rural life, and of a young man who believed that the strength of one’s dream is greater than the weight of their background.
Early Life: Growing in the Shadows of Simplicity
Venkatesh was born in a farmer’s home in Alladapeta village of Jalumuru Mandal. His father, Banna Chandra Rao, is an agriculturist with a modest annual income. His mother, Banna Rohini, a homemaker, ensured her children were raised with values, even when money was scarce.
The family lived a simple life — no luxuries, no English-speaking environment, no elite schooling. Venkatesh studied in the Telugu medium till his 10th class. Many would see this as a disadvantage, especially in an exam like UPSC that heavily tests comprehension, articulation, and awareness. But Venkatesh turned this into his strength. He built his foundation slowly and solidly.
In a world where people often blame the system for their stagnation, Venkatesh looked inward. He never saw his rural background as a burden. For him, it was a reason to rise — to prove that talent exists beyond metro cities and coaching capitals.
Academic Brilliance: A Pattern of Persistence
Right from his school days, Venkatesh stood out as a top student.
- In Class 10, he scored a 9.8 GPA, studying at Keshava Reddy EM High School.
- In Intermediate, he achieved an exceptional 98.4% at Sri Chaitanya Junior College, Visakhapatnam.
- He then cracked one of the most competitive engineering entrances and secured admission to NIT Trichy, one of India’s premier technical institutions.
At NIT Trichy, he pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and passed out with a CGPA of 9.47, placing him among the top academic performers. But academics were only one part of the picture.
He actively participated in campus life:
- Received Bronze Medal for academic excellence.
- Awarded the Swami Dayanand Scholarship.
- Played district-level cricket, captained the college volleyball team.
- Served on the Placement Committee and was the Coordinator for PROBE, the college’s technical festival.
This balance of intellect and initiative gave him a personality ideal for civil services — thoughtful, grounded, and action-oriented.
Leaving Corporate Comfort for Civil Ambition
After graduating from NIT, Venkatesh was placed in Qualcomm India Pvt. Ltd., a top multinational firm. He worked first as an Associate Engineer, and later as a full-time Engineer, drawing a handsome salary and working on cutting-edge tech.
Yet, something inside him was restless.
Despite the prestige and comfort of his job, Venkatesh yearned for a more meaningful impact. Having grown up in a region often ignored by policymakers and plagued by rural distress, he felt that his true calling lay in public service.
In 2021, with no certainty ahead, he quit Qualcomm and began preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
The UPSC Journey: Failures, Lessons, and Breakthrough
Venkatesh’s journey through UPSC was not a fairy tale. It took three serious attempts before success embraced him fully.
- 2022: He appeared for the Prelims, but didn’t qualify for Mains. It was a tough moment. For someone who had left a secure job, this early failure could’ve broken him. But he chose to recalibrate rather than retreat.
- 2023: He cleared both Prelims and Mains and faced the Interview Board. That year, he was selected into the Indian Police Service (IPS). It was a huge achievement, and he joined training at SVPNPA, Hyderabad in December 2024.
But he still hadn’t reached the destination he envisioned. While undergoing IPS training, he prepared again for CSE 2024 — balancing duty and study. That in itself is no ordinary feat.
- 2025: His dedication paid off. With sharper focus, refined strategy, and renewed energy, he cracked the exam and secured AIR–15. The following are his marks in 2025 exam:
Most remarkably, in his final DAF, Venkatesh opted for only one service — the IAS. He didn’t tick other services. He didn’t hedge bets. He was clear: administration was his goal, not prestige or fallback.
His Journey with La Excellence:
Banna Venkatesh was a dedicated member of La Excellence’s Core Batch, where his commitment, clarity of purpose, and academic rigour consistently stood out. Under the guidance of our experienced faculty and a focused peer group, he refined his preparation and strategy with discipline and determination.
His growth during the program was evident in his balanced approach to Prelims, Mains, and Interview. We take immense pride in having been part of his journey from a quiet, sincere aspirant to securing AIR 15 in UPSC CSE 2025. Venkatesh’s success reaffirms the value of focused mentorship and perseverance at La Excellence.
The Mindset That Carried Him
Venkatesh isn’t a loud motivator. He doesn’t speak in flamboyant quotes. But his life choices speak volumes.
He’s someone who:
- Chose to rise silently, without social media applause.
- Focused on depth, not just speed.
- Believed in long-term service, not quick results.
Even his hobbies reflect simplicity — he enjoys playing and watching cricket, and spending time with children. These aren’t resume boosters; they are glimpses into a person who values connection, joy, and humanity.
Commitment to the Land That Raised Him
Venkatesh’s DAF reveals more than just exam stats. It shows a man committed to his home state.
- He chose Andhra Pradesh as his first preference for cadre allocation.
- In his zone preferences, Zone V (Southern India) topped the list.
- He declined to opt for foreign service, central accounts, and even IPS — which he had already been selected into.
This wasn’t accidental. It was a conscious choice. Venkatesh wanted to serve where he came from — where people speak his language, where issues are close to his heart, and where transformation is deeply personal.
Message to Aspirants: Let Effort Speak Louder Than Fear
For those preparing for UPSC, Venkatesh’s journey offers clarity in a space often clouded by doubt:
- Your background doesn’t define your future. What you do daily does.
- One failure doesn’t mean you’re done. He failed in 2022, came back stronger in 2023 and 2024.
- Elite coaching isn’t the only path. Dedication and a clear strategy matter more.
- Don’t settle too early. Even after IPS, he gave another attempt to pursue IAS.
- Stay rooted. Serving your own people can be the noblest motivation.
Looking Ahead: From Srikakulam to Secretariat
With AIR–15, Banna Venkatesh is poised to join the Indian Administrative Service. If allotted his home cadre, he may soon be seen leading development initiatives in districts like the one he came from. His story will inspire not just aspirants, but also rural youth who often give up on dreams they think are “too far.”
He won’t walk into government halls as a stranger to struggle. He’ll walk in as someone who has lived it. That empathy — born not from textbooks but real life — is what makes him a future-ready officer.
In Conclusion
In an exam often dominated by coaching stories and urban success, Banna Venkatesh’s journey stands out. It reminds us that even from the humblest corners of India, greatness can rise. We are proud that he is part of La Excellence Core Batch.
His is not a tale of overnight victory. It’s a story of building — step by step, day by day. A story that will be told in classrooms, coaching halls, and village gatherings — not for its glamour, but for its grit.
He’s proof that the village boy with a dream can become the officer with a vision.
Here is what Banna Venkatesh after securing IPS (2023) shared with our chairman Dr. Rambabu sir :
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