Awanish Sharan is a 2009-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre who secured All India Rank 77 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. As of 2026, he is posted as CEO of Raipur Development Authority, Raipur (since January 22, 2026). He is also one of India’s most popular IAS officers on social media, known for his honest, grounded, and motivational content.
Contents
- Quick Stats Table — Awanish Sharan IAS
- The Man Behind the Rank — Who Is Awanish Sharan?
- Awanish Sharan’s Early Life — A Village Boy With a Dream
- Awanish Sharan Education — What Did He Study?
- Awanish Sharan UPSC Journey — From 10+ Failures to AIR 77
- Awanish Sharan IAS Age, Category, and Key Personal Details
- Awanish Sharan IAS Current Posting — Where Is He in 2026?
- Awanish Sharan’s Family Life — The Personal Side
- The Social Media IAS — Awanish Sharan on X (Twitter)
- Awanish Sharan’s Biggest Life Lessons — The UPSC Aspirant’s Bible
- Notable Achievements and Recognition
- Conclusion — Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Stats Table — Awanish Sharan IAS
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Awanish Kumar Sharan |
| Date of Birth | January 20, 1981 or 1982 (sources vary) |
| Age (2026) | 44–45 years |
| Birthplace | Kevata village, Samastipur, Bihar |
| Domicile State | Bihar |
| UPSC Batch | 2009 |
| UPSC Rank (AIR) | 77 |
| UPSC Attempt | 2nd attempt |
| Cadre | Chhattisgarh |
| Category | General (Direct Recruit) |
| Current Posting (2026) | CEO, Raipur Development Authority, Raipur |
| Current Posting Since | January 22, 2026 |
| Graduation Subject | History (Graduate) |
| 10th Marks | 44.5% |
| 12th Marks | 65% |
| Graduation Marks | 60% |
| Pay Level | Level 14 (IAS Pay Matrix) |
| Years of Service | 17 years (as of 2026) |
| Total Postings | 13 documented postings |
| Father’s Name | Lokesh Sharan |
| Wife | Name not publicly available |
| Children | Two daughters — Vedika and Kritika |
| Social Media (X) | @AwanishSharan (11,700+ posts) |
| Officer ID | 01CG108E03 |
The Man Behind the Rank — Who Is Awanish Sharan?
- Awanish is not your typical IAS officer story where a class topper cruises through every exam on the first attempt
- He is the boy from a small Bihar village who failed the CDS exam, failed the CPF exam, and — brace yourself — failed the State Public Service Commission’s preliminary examination more than 10 times
- Yet, this same man cracked one of India’s toughest exams, the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and secured AIR 77
- His story has inspired lakhs of UPSC aspirants across India, especially those who feel “not smart enough” for the civil services
- In 2026, Awanish Sharan IAS serves as the CEO of Raipur Development Authority — a role focused on urban planning and city development in Chhattisgarh
Awanish Sharan’s Early Life — A Village Boy With a Dream
- Born on January 20, 1981 (some sources cite 1982), in Kevata, a small village in Samastipur district, Bihar
- His father, Lokesh Sharan, worked hard to provide for the family under difficult financial conditions
- He also has a brother named Arjun Sharan
- The family was not wealthy — Awanish grew up without the luxury of expensive coaching or prestigious schools
- He completed his entire education from government schools and colleges in Bihar
Academic Record — The “Shocking” Marksheet That Went Viral
| Exam | Marks/Percentage |
|---|---|
| Class 10 | 44.5% |
| Class 12 | 65% |
| Graduation | 60% |
- These are the marks of a man who went on to become an IAS officer
- Awanish himself shared his academic record on X (Twitter) — and it went massively viral
- The reason it shocked people: most assume IAS officers were always toppers. Awanish smashed that myth
- His post became one of the most shared motivational posts in the UPSC community
Awanish Sharan Education — What Did He Study?
- Awanish Sharan education details are straightforward and honest, just like the man himself
- Completed schooling from government institutions in Bihar
- Passed Class 10 and Class 12 from Bihar state board schools
- Awanish Sharan graduation subject was History — he holds a graduate degree in History
- His graduation percentage was 60%, which is not exceptional by any standard
- Despite not being from an elite institution, he cracked the UPSC exam — proving that the subject or college matters far less than the will to prepare
Awanish Sharan UPSC Journey — From 10+ Failures to AIR 77
- Most people give up after 2-3 failures. Awanish failed 10+ times in state-level exams alone
- He reached the interview stage in his first UPSC attempt — a massive achievement in itself
- In his second UPSC attempt, he cleared the exam with All India Rank 77
- Awanish Sharan IAS rank of 77 is remarkable, especially given his academic background
Awanish Sharan’s Pre-UPSC Attempt Timeline
| Exam | Result |
|---|---|
| CDS Examination | Failed |
| CPF Examination | Failed |
| State PCS Preliminary Exam | Failed — more than 10 times |
| UPSC CSE (1st Attempt) | Reached Interview Round |
| UPSC CSE (2nd Attempt) | Selected — AIR 77 |
Awanish Sharan IAS Age, Category, and Key Personal Details
- Awanish Sharan IAS age as of 2026 is 44–45 years (born January 20, 1981 or 1982 — sources differ; exact DOB not officially confirmed)
- Awanish Sharan category is General — he qualified under the General (Open) category with no reservation benefit
- This makes his success even more impressive — competing on an equal footing in one of India’s most competitive exams
- He belongs to the 2009 UPSC batch, one of the most celebrated batches in recent IAS history
- Home state: Bihar (outside cadre allocation — he was allotted Chhattisgarh cadre)
- He currently holds Pay Level 14 in the IAS Pay Matrix
Awanish Sharan IAS Current Posting — Where Is He in 2026?
- Awanish Sharan IAS current posting (as of 2026) is CEO, Raipur Development Authority (RDA), Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- He was posted to this role on January 22, 2026
- The Raipur Development Authority is an urban development body established by the Government of Chhattisgarh, focused on Raipur city’s infrastructure, township, and planning
- RDA is currently executing the Kamal Vihar project — a flagship township project with world-class amenities
- As CEO of RDA, Awanish is responsible for planning, infrastructure execution, and urban development oversight in Raipur
Career Posting History — 13 Roles in 17 Years
| Sector | Experience (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Land Revenue | 6.3 years |
| Urban Development | 4.9 years |
| Personnel & General Administration | 2.6 years |
| Technical Education | 3.5+ years |
- Total documented postings: 13 roles across 6 distinct locations in Chhattisgarh
- His longest single posting: Director at Technical Education Department, Chhattisgarh (approximately 3.5 years)
Awanish Sharan’s Family Life — The Personal Side
Wife and Children
- Wife Awanish Sharan IAS — her name is not publicly disclosed, respecting the family’s privacy
- He got married around 2010, one year after clearing the UPSC exam
- The couple has two daughters: Vedika and Kritika
- In 2017, Awanish made news for a deeply personal yet powerful decision — he chose to have his wife deliver their child at a government hospital, and later admitted his daughter to a government school
- This act became widely discussed and praised, especially on social media
Father and Family Background
- Father: Lokesh Sharan — a hardworking man from Bihar who instilled values of discipline and perseverance in Awanish Sharan
- Mother’s name is not publicly available
- Brother: Arjun Sharan
- Awanish Sharan father in law — this information is not publicly available, and the family maintains a private life
The Social Media IAS — Awanish Sharan on X (Twitter)
- Awanish is one of the most followed and celebrated IAS officers on social media in India
- His X handle: @AwanishSharan — with over 11,700 posts as of 2026
- His bio on X reads simply: “IAS 2009. Son. Husband. Dad.” — three things before the designation. That tells you everything about his priorities.
Posts That Made Him Famous
| Viral Post | Why It Went Viral |
|---|---|
| Shared his academic record (44.5% in 10th) | Broke the myth that IAS officers are always toppers |
| “Definition of Irony” (truck with ‘Plant Trees’ carrying logs) | Relatable, witty observation |
| “We the middle class” (reshared Nidhi Narwal’s video) | 25,000+ likes — hit middle-class India in the feels |
| Post on batchmate’s suicide — mental health among civil servants | Raw, honest, deeply human — sparked national conversation |
| Post about daughter’s admission to govt. school | Praised across media for walking the talk |
Awanish Sharan’s Biggest Life Lessons — The UPSC Aspirant’s Bible
- Never stop at one attempt — He failed state PCS more than 10 times before cracking UPSC
- Use failures as data — Each failure taught him something new about the exam pattern
- No elite background needed — Government school, government college, and he still made it
- Walk the talk — As an IAS officer, he used government hospitals and government schools himself
- Stay human on social media — He connects with millions because he doesn’t pretend to be superhuman
Notable Achievements and Recognition
- Secured AIR 77 in UPSC CSE 2009 from the General category — no reservation benefit
- Became a role model for students from Bihar and small-town India
- Recognised widely as one of the most relatable and motivating IAS officers in the social media era
- His 2017 decision to use government healthcare and schooling for his family was covered by major national media outlets
- He was among the first IAS officers to openly discuss mental health among civil servants — a topic that was largely taboo in bureaucratic circles
- Currently heading Raipur Development Authority — one of Chhattisgarh’s key urban infrastructure bodies
Conclusion — Key Takeaways
- Awanish is a 2009-batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre who secured AIR 77 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination
- He was born on January 20, 1981 or 1982 (sources vary) in Bihar and completed his education entirely from government institutions
- Awanish Sharan graduation subject was History, and he scored just 60% — yet went on to crack one of India’s hardest exams
- Awanish Sharan IAS rank of 77 came in his second UPSC attempt, after failing the CDS, CPF, and State PCS (preliminary) more than 10 times
- Awanish Sharan IAS age in 2026 is 44–45 years (date of birth reported as January 20, 1981 or 1982 across different sources)
- Awanish Sharan IAS current posting in 2026 is CEO, Raipur Development Authority, Raipur, Chhattisgarh (since January 22, 2026)
- His story is not just about UPSC — it is about what happens when someone refuses to quit
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Awanish Sharan’s IAS rank?
Awanish Sharan IAS rank is AIR 77, which he secured in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2009 on his second attempt.
2. What is Awanish Sharan IAS current posting in 2026?
As of 2026, Awanish Sharan IAS current posting is CEO of Raipur Development Authority (RDA), Raipur, where he took charge on January 22, 2026.
3. What is Awanish Sharan’s graduation subject?
Awanish Sharan graduation subject is History. He completed his graduation in History from an institution in Bihar.
4. What is Awanish Sharan’s age in 2026?
Awanish Sharan IAS age in 2026 is around 44–45 years. Sources report his birth year as either 1981 or 1982.
5. Who is Awanish Sharan’s father?
Awanish Sharan’s father is Lokesh Sharan, who supported his family while living in their village in Bihar. Details about his father-in-law are not publicly available.
6. What category does Awanish Sharan belong to?
Awanish Sharan category is General. He entered the IAS through the UPSC Civil Services Examination as a direct recruit.
7. Who is Awanish Sharan’s wife?
The wife of Awanish Sharan IAS has not been publicly identified. The couple reportedly married around 2010 and have two daughters, Vedika and Kritika.
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