PSI cracks civil service exams with AIR 641

In an inspiring achievement, Sagar Ashwathappa, currently serving as a Police Sub-Inspector (Civil) in Mandya, has cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, securing All India Rank (AIR) 641.

A native of Kolar district, Sagar hails from Nenumanahalli village. He completed his schooling in the government schools of the district and later moved to Bengaluru to pursue engineering.

He began his UPSC preparation in 2019 and chose Kannada Literature as his optional subject. Sagar cleared the preliminary exam, mains and interview in his first full attempt cycle, eventually securing AIR 641 in the 2025 Civil Services Examination after six attempts.

Before joining the police department, Sagar had also worked at Vidhana Soudha on a contract basis.

With his ranking, he will likely not get IAS or IPS postings, which he said he aspires for. “I am happy that I made it, but I want to try again to get into the IAS. I will attempt the exam one more time,” he told The Hindu.

Sagar’s success has become a source of inspiration for many aspirants from rural backgrounds who dream of cracking the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination. “I used to study for about six hours a day — two hours in the morning before going to work and four hours after returning from work. I was weak in mathematics, and it took me five attempts to clear the exam, but I never lost hope. My parents, who are uneducated and come from an agricultural background, always encouraged me. My seniors, including Deka Kishore Baby, Akshay M. Hakay and IGP Boralingaiah, supported me throughout and provided the help I needed,” Mr. Sagar said.