Karnataka village youth secures all India first rank in IFS examination

Karnataka village youth secures all India first rank in IFS examination

Mangalore Today News Network

Athani, May 9, 2026: Basavaraj Kempwad (25), a native of Savadi village in Athani taluk of Karnataka, has secured the All India First Rank in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Examination. The results were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday.

A bright student since childhood, Basavaraj completed his primary education from Class 1 to 5 at a private school in Savadi village. He later studied at the Morarji Desai Residential School in Alagwadi village of Raibag taluk until Class 10. For his PU education, he moved to Yallatti village in Jamkhandi taluk of Bagalkot district before pursuing a BSc in Forestry at Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district.

Later, he shifted to Bengaluru to prepare for the prestigious IFS examination. Coming from an agricultural family, Basavaraj said his interest in forest conservation inspired him to study Forestry and pursue a career in the Indian Forest Service.

“I was determined to succeed without joining any coaching centre. I stayed in Bengaluru, rented a room and studied independently in a library every day from 10 am till midnight. The result is the outcome of two years of continuous hard work,” he said.

This was his second attempt at the IFS examination. While he could not clear the preliminary stage in his first attempt, he achieved remarkable success in the latest examination.

“I identified the mistakes from my previous attempt and prepared in a systematic and planned manner,” he added.

Basavaraj said he now looks forward to completing his training and serving the nation through forest conservation and environmental protection. He also expressed his desire to use his knowledge for the welfare of society and preservation of forests.

He credited his success to the support of his parents, friends and teachers who guided him throughout his academic journey, from primary school to graduation.

Basavaraj also revealed that becoming an IAS officer had always been his dream. Meanwhile, his elder brother, Siddu Kempwad, is serving as a constable in the Mysuru City Armed Reserve Police.