RAIPUR :

 

CHHATTISGARH cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Awanish Sharan, whose journey from repeated competitive examination failures to securing All India Rank (AIR) 77 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination has inspired millions, is once again in the spotlight, this time for an impressive fitness transformation that has significantly improved his health at the age of 45. The 2009-batch IAS officer, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Raipur Development Authority (RDA), has often spoken about his unconventional academic journey. He scored 44.7 per cent in Class X, 65 per cent in Class XII and 60 per cent in graduation, failed the Combined Defence Services (CDS) and Central Police Forces (CPF) examinations, and was unable to clear the State Public Service Commission preliminary examination more than ten times before finally cracking the UPSC with AIR 77 in his second attempt. Sharan said he began his fitness journey after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but professional commitments and a surgery in 2024 disrupted his routine. In June 2025, he restarted with a disciplined approach centred on consistency rather than shortcuts.

 

Following a structured regimen of strength training, moderate cardio, daily walking, balanced homemade meals, adequate protein, proper hydration and regular health monitoring, he set himself a target on January 1, 2026, to achieve his best physique before his daughter Vedika’s birthday on June 27. He credited his wife Rudrani for supporting him throughout the journey. Sharan’s transformation also mirrors the broader national emphasis on preventive healthcare and active living championed through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement, which encourages citizens to make fitness an integral part of their daily routine. While his journey remains deeply personal, the results underscore how sustained lifestyle changes and disciplined habits can translate into measurable health gains beyond the gym. Reflecting on the journey, Sharan said becoming healthier at 45 than he was at 39 remains his biggest achievement. He believes lasting transformation comes through discipline, patience and sustainable daily habits rather than temporary motivation.