CHENNAI: Civil Services officers are increasingly being acknowledged as role models for society, communities, and the nation, exemplifying the principle of “continuous learning” promoted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. A distinguished example of this commitment is Shri Samrat Bandopadhyay, an Indian Information Service officer currently serving as Director in the Press Information Bureau, Delhi. His recent academic achievements have established a new standard of excellence.
On February 9, Shri Bandopadhyay was honored at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, ranked number 1 in the NIRF ranking of the Ministry of Education. This learning endeavour in form of NPTEL, is funded by the ministry. He received multiple prestigious accolades, including the titles of “Megastar,” “Super Star,” “Domain Scholar in Intellectual Property (IP) Law,” “Enthusiast,” and “Motivated Learner.” These awards reflect his steadfast commitment to personal and professional development, demonstrating the impact of the continuous learning initiative at the heart of India’s civil services framework.
Shri Bandopadhyay’s academic achievements are a testament to his hard work and intellectual rigor, which he attributes to his role model PM Sri Narendra Modi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Science and Engineering (ranked 9th), an MBA from VGSOM, IIT Kharagpur, and most recently, a top position in his LL.B. (Law) degree from RGSoIPL, IIT Kharagpur. His exceptional performance includes topping 20 out of 21 courses across diverse fields such as Engineering, Management, Law, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
Notably, Shri Bandopadhyay was awarded the newly introduced “Megastar” title in the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) initiative, after achieving first place in 7 out of 8 courses during the 2024 semester. This achievement is unprecedented within the NPTEL framework, which is a collaborative effort by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to offer high-quality online education across technical and interdisciplinary domains.
The initiative saw over 29 lakh students enrolling in the July-December 2024 semester alone, with more than 9.2 lakh students taking examinations, making it one of the world’s largest Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) programs
Shri Bandopadhyay’s recognition as a “Megastar” by IIT Madras underscores his remarkable academic prowess and serves as an inspiring example for civil servants and professionals alike. During the award ceremony, IIT Madras Director, Prof. Dr. Kamakothi, commended Shri Bandopadhyay as an “Exceptional Learner,” reinforcing his status as a key contributor to India’s educational and professional landscape.
These achievements highlight the significance of continuous learning within India’s civil services and emphasize the vital role of education and self-improvement in nation-building.
