Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025, Chanchal Rana is a respected Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. He is known for his hard work and dedication. As of May 2025, he is serving as the Collector and District Magistrate of Puri, Odisha. Chanchal Rana’s journey from a small town boy to a top IAS officer is inspiring for many young Indians.
Early Life and Family
Chanchal Rana was born in NALCO Nagar, Angul district, Odisha. His family is originally from West Medinapore district in West Bengal. His father, Anil Kant Rana, works at NALCO, a well-known company. His mother, Banajyotsna, is a homemaker. Chanchal grew up in Odisha, but he is Bengali by origin.
Chanchal Rana’s family always supported him. They wanted him to do well in life. His parents hoped he would get a good job after his studies. Chanchal has always been loyal to his parents and wanted to make them proud.
Education
Chanchal Rana studied at Delhi Public School in Nalconagar, Angul. He was a good student. After school, he went to the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Silchar. He studied Electrical Engineering there and completed his B.Tech degree.
Chanchal Rana IAS Wiki, Biography, Age, Caste, Wife
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chanchal Rana |
| Date of Birth | November 23, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Hometown | Nalco Nagar, Angul District, Odisha |
| Family Background | Father: Anil Kant Rana (NALCO employee); Mother: Banajyotsna (homemaker) |
| Education | School: Delhi Public School, Angul B.Tech in Electrical Engineering, NIT Silchar, Assam |
| Early Career | Grade A Officer, Indian Oil Corporation, Barauni Refinery (2010–2013) |
| UPSC Journey | - 2012: Cleared UPSC, AIR 219, selected for IPS - 2013: AIR 7, selected for IAS (Odisha cadre, 2014 batch) |
| IPS Career | Trained at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad; transitioned to IAS in 2014 |
| IAS Career | - Collector & DM of Balangir (Sep 2020–2024) - Collector & DM of Khurda (Jan 2024) - Collector & DM of Puri (from Jun 29, 2025) |
| Key Achievements | - Led “Milk Revolution” in Balangir - Organized Balangir Dairy Summit (Dec 2022) - Implemented Project Sweekruti (jobs for transgender people) |
| Awards | Indian Express Excellence in Governance Award (2023); “Milkman of Odisha” for dairy initiatives |
| Major Crisis Handled | Managed COVID-19 pandemic in Balangir; Led relief during 2022 cyclone; Managed Rath Yatra stampede response in Puri |
| Personal Life | First marriage: Swadha Dev Singh (IAS, later divorced) Second marriage: Ananya Das (IAS, married May 1, 2023) |
| Hobbies/Interests | Enjoys time with family and friends; owns pet dogs Atom and Alex |
| Notable Traits | Hard work, humility, people-centric governance, dedication to social work |
| Current Role | Collector & District Magistrate of Puri, Odisha (focus on Jagannath Rath Yatra devotee safety) |
| Recognition | Praised for efficient, dynamic leadership; known for grassroots development and crisis management |
Early Career
After finishing engineering, Chanchal got a job at Indian Oil Corporation. He worked at the Barauni Refinery from 2010 to 2013. This job made his parents happy. But Chanchal wanted to do something more meaningful. He wanted to serve the people and the country.
Dream to Become an IAS Officer
Chanchal Rana decided to prepare for the Civil Services Examination. This exam is very tough and only a few people clear it every year. His parents were worried at first. They wanted him to do an MBA and get a stable job. But Chanchal was determined. He believed that being an IAS officer would help him serve the nation better.
He worked hard and managed his job and studies together. He studied for five hours every day, even after coming home from work. He was very punctual and disciplined in his preparation.
UPSC Journey
Chanchal Rana gave the UPSC exam three times. In his first attempt, he reached the interview stage but did not get selected. In his second attempt, he got the 219th rank and was selected for the Indian Police Service (IPS). But he was not satisfied. He wanted to become an IAS officer. In his third attempt, he got the 7th rank in India and fulfilled his dream.
He chose Geography as his optional subject. He said Geography is logical and good for engineers. It also helps in the interview and covers many topics in the General Studies papers.
Marks in UPSC
Written Exam: 865 out of 2000
Interview: 222 out of 300
Total: 1087 out of 2300 (47.26%)
Work as an IAS Officer
Chanchal Rana is known for his good work as an IAS officer. He has served in many places in Odisha. He was the Collector and District Magistrate of Balangir before being posted to Puri. He is famous for starting the “Milk Revolution” in Odisha, which helped local farmers and improved the dairy sector.
Chanchal always tries to solve people’s problems. He believes that IAS officers are directly connected to the people and play an important role in the development of the country.
Personal Life
Chanchal Rana is married to Ananya Das, who is also an IAS officer. Their marriage became popular news in February 2023 because both are IAS officers and serve in Odisha. Earlier, he was married to Swadha Dev, an IAS officer from the 2014 batch. Chanchal likes social work and traveling. He enjoys visiting mountains and beaches.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5 feet 10 inches (approx)
Weight: 66 kg (approx)
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Interview Experience
Interview Experience Ias
Chanchal’s UPSC interview was detailed and covered many topics. He answered questions about his background, education, and knowledge about Odisha. He talked about the problems of Odisha, like natural disasters and underdeveloped tribal areas. He suggested solutions like better disaster management and development in tribal regions.
He also answered questions about the oil sector, his previous job, and general awareness topics. He was honest when he did not know the answer and always tried to stay calm and polite.
Personal Tips
Chanchal Rana believes that discipline and regular study are very important. He says that even if you have a job, you can prepare for UPSC if you manage your time well. He suggests studying for at least five hours every day. He also says that preparing for the Civil Services exam improves your knowledge and makes you ready for any challenge in life.
Achievements and Recognition
Chanchal Rana is respected for his work as an IAS officer. He is known for his honesty, hard work, and dedication to public service. His efforts in improving the dairy sector in Odisha are well recognized. He is an inspiration for many young people who want to become IAS officers.
Conclusion
Chanchal Rana’s story shows that with hard work, discipline, and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams. He came from a simple background and became one of the top IAS officers in India. His life is a message to all young Indians: never give up on your dreams, work hard, and always try to help others.
