Subhankar Bala’s journey to becoming an IAS officer (2021 batch, AIR 79) began in a Maoist-affected region of West Bengal, where as a student he was deeply inspired by a Sub-Divisional Officer’s work during unrest a moment that ignited his dream of serving through civil administration. After graduating with an Electronics and Communication Engineering degree from NIT Warangal, he worked at Texas Instruments. Yet that childhood aspiration resurfaced, prompting him to prepare for the UPSC exam without enrolling in any coaching institute. 

Balancing preparation with a full-time job, he devoted three to four hours daily to self-study post-work, beginning with understanding the syllabus clearly and testing himself. To his surprise, he cleared the prelims on his first attempt, reinforcing his conviction that disciplined solo study could suffice. He made efficient use of standard books and online lectures, focusing especially on his weaker areas with targeted digital tools. His success underlines how resourcefulness, clarity of purpose, and a steady routine can enable UPSC cracking without formal coaching.