At THE WEEK Education Conclave 2026, IAS officer Athar Aamir Khan, a UPSC topper and District Magistrate in Budgam, shared insights that transcended the typical success narrative, emphasizing that life and career paths are rarely linear, embracing uncertainty is crucial, and empathy is as vital as achievement in public service. Khan, who transitioned from medicine to engineering and then to civil services, highlighted the importance of discipline, consistent hard work over shortcuts, and the habit of practicing answer writing early in UPSC preparation, advising aspirants to choose optional subjects based on genuine interest and cultivate regular reading habits for awareness and analytical thinking. His most profound message focused on public service, stating that empathy is paramount and that simple reassurances like "It's okay" can be profoundly impactful when assisting people.

At THE WEEK Education Conclave 2026, IAS officer Athar Aamir Khan, a UPSC topper and District Magistrate in Budgam, shared insights that transcended the typical success narrative, emphasizing that life and career paths are rarely linear, embracing uncertainty is crucial, and empathy is as vital as achievement in public service. Khan, who transitioned from medicine to engineering and then to civil services, highlighted the importance of discipline, consistent hard work over shortcuts, and the habit of practicing answer writing early in UPSC preparation, advising aspirants to choose optional subjects based on genuine interest and cultivate regular reading habits for awareness and analytical thinking. His most profound message focused on public service, stating that empathy is paramount and that simple reassurances like "It's okay" can be profoundly impactful when assisting people.

At THE WEEK Education Conclave 2026, IAS officer Athar Aamir Khan, a UPSC topper and District Magistrate in Budgam, shared insights that transcended the typical success narrative, emphasizing that life and career paths are rarely linear, embracing uncertainty is crucial, and empathy is as vital as achievement in public service. Khan, who transitioned from medicine to engineering and then to civil services, highlighted the importance of discipline, consistent hard work over shortcuts, and the habit of practicing answer writing early in UPSC preparation, advising aspirants to choose optional subjects based on genuine interest and cultivate regular reading habits for awareness and analytical thinking. His most profound message focused on public service, stating that empathy is paramount and that simple reassurances like "It's okay" can be profoundly impactful when assisting people.

For many UPSC aspirants, IAS officer Athar Aamir Khan represents the pinnacle of success—a topper who cracked one of the world's toughest examinations and went on to serve in the prestigious Indian Administrative Service. 

But at THE WEEK Education Conclave 2026, the man currently serving as District Magistrate and District Development Commissioner, Budgam, UT of J&K, offered a message that was far simpler than any success formula: life is rarely linear, uncertainty is inevitable, and empathy matters as much as achievement.

In a candid conversation moderated by THE WEEK Senior Assistant Editor Maijo B. Abraham, Athar spoke not just about examinations and ranks but about self-doubt, discipline and the human side of public service.

"It is always a confusing thing," he reflected while speaking about career choices. "Things have melted, barriers have broken."

His own journey is proof of that. After securing admission to Government Medical College (JMC), Athar spent six months pursuing medicine before realising that it was not what he truly wanted. He then completed his engineering from IIT Mandi. Rather than continuing on a path that did not inspire him, he made a difficult decision to change course and begin preparing for the UPSC examination.

The transition was far from easy. Yet, Athar said, the discipline he had developed as a student became his biggest strength. 

"UPSC is stressful, but uncertainty is always there," he said.

Hard work is the key

Comparing the civil services examination to a marathon rather than a sprint, he stressed the importance of routine and consistency over shortcuts. From maintaining a timetable to practising answer writing regularly, success comes from building habits, he said. One common mistake aspirants make is reading endlessly without writing enough. "Don't wait too long before practising questions," he advised.

The session became particularly engaging when students from the audience took the conversation forward. Maitreyee Singh, a second-year Economics Honours student at Deshbandhu College and a UPSC aspirant, sought guidance on optional subject selection and the role of coaching institutes. Anushka, a Class IX student from Ryan International School, wanted to know how one should begin preparing for the examination at an early stage.

Athar's answer was practical and reassuring. Subject choices, he said, should be driven by genuine interest rather than trends. More importantly, students should cultivate the habit of reading newspapers and magazines regularly to develop awareness and analytical thinking.

Yet, it was his remarks on public service that perhaps resonated most deeply with the audience.

"Empathy comes first in this profession," he said. "We are for people. The respect is non-negotiable."

Drawing from his experience as an administrator, Athar shared a simple lesson. Often, when people approach him with problems, the first thing he tells them is, "It's okay." Those two words, he observed, can work wonders.

TAGS