Silicon to Silver Screen to Service: Abhay Daga’s Scripted Switch from Microsoft Code to IPS Commando

Key Points:

Abhay Daga, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, quit a well-paying Microsoft job and a promising acting career to clear the UPSC Civil Services Exam

He achieved All India Rank 185 in UPSC 2023 and is now an IPS officer in the Uttar Pradesh cadre

His life journey spans engineering, entertainment, and public service, inspiring thousands

Early Life and Background

Abhay Daga is from Wardha, Maharashtra, where his parents are celebrated pediatricians

He finished his education at BVB Lloyds Vidya Niketan, Wardha, and 10+2 from Sri Chaitanya Narayana Jr Kalasala, Hyderabad

He cleared the IIT JEE in 2013 with a very good rank (about 500), securing admission into IIT Kharagpur for a dual degree in Computer Science and Engineering

Career Achievements

During his stay at IIT Kharagpur, Abhay found an interest in acting, actively engaging in plays and college plays

He also appeared on television for the first time in 2018, playing Shatrughan in Star Plus's historical show 'Siya Ke Ram'

Leaving his short career in entertainment behind, Abhay worked at Microsoft as a Software Engineer, focusing on cyber security, from 2018 to 2021

Turning Point: The UPSC Dream

Neither tech nor telly satisfied the innate desire to make a difference to society and to help fix problems such as poverty, education, and healthcare for Abhay

In 2021, he quit his well-paying job at Microsoft to prepare full-time for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of India's most challenging competitive exams

His preparation was characterized by systematic study, optimal utilization of resources, and focus on practical issues

Success in Civil Services

In 2023, after two years of intense preparation, Abhay cracked the UPSC CSE with an All India Rank of 185

He chose the Indian Police Service (IPS) and was assigned the Uttar Pradesh cadre, even though his native state is Maharashtra

Abhay's scores comprised 799 in mains and 179 in the interview round

Current Status and Future Prospects

Abhay Daga has undergone IPS training at Hyderabad as of May 2025 and is currently serving in the Uttar Pradesh cadre

He has left behind acting for the time being, focusing on public service and law enforcement

Abhay's path continues to inspire contenders across streams, showing that career turns and radical decisions can bring about positive influence

Quick Recap

IIT Kharagpur alumnus

TV actor in 'Siya Ke Ram'

Microsoft Software Engineer

UPSC CSE 2023 Rank 185

Now an IPS officer, Uttar Pradesh cadre

Source names: NDTV, Loksatta, India TV, ForumIAS, Times Now, Times of India