๐ง๐ผ Who Is Abhiram G. Sankar?
Abhiram G Shankar (often styled as Abhiram G. Sankar) is a distinguished 2010/2011-batch IAS officer belonging to the Karnataka cadre. He rose to prominence by achieving All-India Rank 4 (AIR 4) in his first attempt at the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination (syskool.com).
Born and raised in Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Abhiram’s parents are Girisankar R (a Federal Bank manager) and Meena Sankar (a homemaker); he has a younger brother, Akshay (syskool.com).
๐ Education
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Schooling: Sree Chithira Thirunal Residential Central School, Kunnathukal, and Arya Central School, Trivandrum (syskool.com)
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College: B.Tech (CSE) from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam (University of Kerala), completed in 2009 (syskool.com)
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UPSC Performance: Total marks 1316/2300 (~57.2%) with 1121/2000 in written and 195/300 in interview (syskool.com)
Abhiram attributes his success to disciplined planning, quality study, and mock interviews, especially at Shankar IAS Academy, Chennai (indianexaminations.blogspot.com).
๐ ️ Career Journey & Key Roles
Early Appointments in Karnataka
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Served in multiple administrative roles including CEO of Bidar and Mandya Zilla Panchayats, and Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Raichur district, before taking charge of Mysuru in April 2018 (thehansindia.com).
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As Mysuru DC, he played a pivotal role in:
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Leading pandemic response during COVID-19 in 2020
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Managing cluster outbreaks
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Implementing media control measures to curb paid news (starofmysore.com, thehansindia.com)
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Mysuru Deputy Commissioner (April 2018 – August 2020)
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Instrumental in public health coordination and district administration.
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Led efforts to contain COVID-19: overseeing testing, quarantines, and ensuring civic services .
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Initiated a local Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) to flag paid news and political propaganda in media (starofmysore.com).
Transfer & Role Transition
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Transferred in August 2020 after a tragic suicide of Nanjangud Taluk Health Officer, Dr. S. R. Nagendra, where subsequent inquiries implicated systemic pressures (thehansindia.com).
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Following transfer, he became Joint Director at ATI Mysuru (starofmysore.com).
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In June 2025, he was appointed Deputy Director (at Deputy Secretary level) at the prestigious LBSNAA, Mussoorie, the premier Civil Services training academy (whispersinthecorridors.in).
๐ Impact & Achievements
District Administration in Mysuru
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Recognized for proactive, people-centric governance during COVID-19.
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Lauded by MP Pratap Simha and local officials for setting high administrative standards, especially during pandemic surges (starofmysore.com).
Awards & Accolades
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Under his Mysuru leadership, the district earned national honors:
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Cleanest Medium City
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Fifth cleanest city in India
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5-Star Garbage-Free rating (usief.org.in)
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Contributed significantly to Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka Scheme execution (starofmysore.com).
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Commended for flood relief initiatives, clean-up drives, and urban sanitation efforts .
Training & Mentoring at LBSNAA
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Currently shaping the next generation of admin officers as Deputy Director at LBSNAA, Mussoorie .
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Previously served as Deputy Director at LBSNAA before promotion .
Personal Interests
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Passionate birdwatcher, contributing to eBird (Cornell Lab’s citizen‑science platform) (usief.org.in).
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Balances administrative responsibilities with family life; married with a daughter, and emphasises hygiene and family safety during the pandemic .
๐ Recent News & Controversies
Date | Event | Impact |
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June 23, 2025 | Appointed Deputy Director at LBSNAA, Mussoorie | Recognized for exemplary administrative career in Karnataka |
August 2020 | Transferred from Mysuru following ODHO suicide | Reflects complex accountability structures in civil services |
While his transfer sparked debate, many defended him as a conscientious, upright officer, with statements noting his transfer "at his own request" and praising Mysuru work (thehansindia.com).
✅ In His Own Words
Excerpts from interviews and media reports highlight Abhiram’s values and ethos:
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On COVID-19 household safety: “I take a hot water bath immediately after going home, … I have to assist my wife … not easy to maintain social distance” (newindianexpress.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
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On media ethics: Formation of MCMC reflects his stand against fake and paid news (starofmysore.com).
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On success & discipline: Emphasizes self-made notes, revision cycles, and analytical depth in preparation (indianexaminations.blogspot.com).
๐ Top Interesting Facts
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UPSC Prodigy: Ranked All‑India 4th in UPSC on his first attempt.
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Engineering Meets Public Service: B.Tech in Computer Science but chose civil administration.
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Bird Conservationist: Regular contributor to global birding database eBird (syskool.com, usief.org.in).
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Media Vigilance Pioneer: Instrumental in establishing Mysuru’s media monitoring framework (starofmysore.com).
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Trainer at LBSNAA: Now helps shape the next cohort of IAS and IPS officers.
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Family Man: Often seen as grounding public duties with family responsibilities.
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Environmental Focus: Spearheaded Mysuru’s sanitation awards and climate-conscious urban management.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Which year did he clear UPSC and what rank?
A: Passed UPSC in 2010 (published in 2011 exams) with AIR 4 on the first attempt (whispersinthecorridors.in).
Q2: What are his signature administrative achievements?
A: Key achievements include battling COVID-19 in Mysuru, urban cleanliness, waste management, and establishing media oversight in district governance.
Q3: What is his current role?
A: Since June 2025, he has served as Deputy Director at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, training future civil servants (whispersinthecorridors.in).
Q4: Has he been involved in any controversies?
A: His August 2020 transfer followed administrative scrutiny after a health officer's suicide. His handling was widely praised, and some noted the transfer was at his own request (thehansindia.com).
Q5: Personal interests beyond civil service?
A: A keen birdwatcher contributing to global science platforms and a dedicated family man prioritizing both home and service.
๐ Final Word
Abhiram G. Sankar exemplifies the essence of public service with a unique blend of technological insight, thoughtful governance, and empathetic leadership. From securing UPSC top rank to steering Mysuru through its biggest crises and now mentoring future officers at LBSNAA, his journey continues to inspire. Balanced, proactive, and principled—his story is truly one of modern India's bureaucratic promise.
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