WARANGAL: Warangal celebrated the victory of two local candidates who secured top national ranks in the 2024 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Ettaboina Sai Shivani claimed All India Rank 11, becoming the district’s highest-ranked candidate, while Potharaju Hari Prasad of Hanamkonda earned Rank 255.
Shivani, a BTech graduate, prepared exclusively with free online resources and personal discipline during the Covid-19 lockdown. Her first attempt ended at the prelims, but “expert guidance and strong encouragement from family and friends” helped her refine her strategy and persevere, she said. “Since I was a child, I’ve wanted to do something meaningful for society. That dream gave me the strength to keep going,” she said.
Hari Prasad, an IIT Bombay alumnus, left a lucrative AI research position in Japan’s Daikin headquarters to pursue public service. He began his UPSC journey in 2021 with Mathematics as his optional, facing three unsuccessful attempts — two at the interview stage and one at prelims — before achieving AIR 255. “I analysed past mistakes, improved my strategy, and stayed positive,” he noted, crediting his supportive family and peer group.
“Working abroad and earning well was satisfying to an extent, but I felt a deep desire to serve people directly,” he added.
“Surrounding yourself with encouraging friends and staying focused on your goal can make all the difference,” he advised fellow aspirants.
