Youngest IFS Officer of India, Abhay Kumar
Abhay Kumar became the youngest IFS officer after clearing UPSC at 22. Read on to know the youngest IFS officer and ambassadors in India.
Deeksha Dixit4 Sept, 2025
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Youngest IFS Officer: IFS Abhay Kumar Indian Foreign Service Officer, made headlines across the nation as the youngest officer to be appointed as the ambassador of India to Madagascar in 2018. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest IFS officer by getting selected for UPSC at the age of 22 in 2003.
His story inspires many, showing that with dedication, anyone can achieve their dreams in the UPSC Civil Services exam. He, along with many other young IFS officers, serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring aspirants to crack the exam at an early age. Their passion for service and commitment to excellence guide thousands of aspirants in IFS preparation.Youngest IFS Officer in India
Abhay Kumar, the youngest IFS officer in India, secured the 167th rank in the UPSC CSE 2003 exam results. This significant achievement marked the beginning of his remarkable career in diplomacy at the age of 22. His inspiring journey from a young aspirant to an ambassador is a testament to his unwavering determination and dedication. Born and raised in Rajgir, Bihar, IFS Abhay Kumar completed his education at Nehru Jawaharlal University. He is a multi-talented individual who has a keen interest in literature, history, and the Russian language. An avid poet and successful diplomat, Abhay Kumar is currently serving as the deputy director general of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi.
Top 10 Youngest IFS Officers
To become an Indian Foreign Service Officer, candidates are required to display a combination of qualities such as intelligence, knowledge, leadership, and a strong commitment to serving the nation's interests on the international stage during the UPSC interview. Very few have been successful in achieving the title of the youngest IFS officer with their first preference to IFS. Here is the list of the top 10 youngest IFS officers in India for aspiring diplomats:| Top 10 Youngest IFS Officers | |
| IFS Officer Name | Notable Achievement |
| Rahul Shrivastava | Ambassador of India to Venezuela (2015) at age 40, one of India's youngest-ever appointed ambassadors. |
| Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit | Named Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq in 2017 at around 38 years of age |
| Biraja Prasad | Appointed as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Tajikistan in 2015 at a young age |
| Moni Chadha | Appointed as Ambassador of India to Argentina in 1974 at the age of 37 |
| S Jaishankar | External Affairs Minister of India who joined the IFS in 1977 |
| Syed Akbaruddin | Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, known for expertise in West Asian matters |
| Nirupama Menon Rao | The second woman to be the Foreign Secretary of India, served in various diplomatic capacities |
| Jyotindra Nath Dixit | Joined the IFS in 1958 and held various diplomatic posts including Ambassador to Bangladesh and Foreign Secretary of India |
| Sneha Dubey | IFS officer of the 2012 batch who gained recognition for her work in the United Nations General Assembly |
| Abhay Kumar | Ambassador of India to Madagascar in 2018 and concurrently to the Union of the Comoros in 2019 |
Also Read: IFS Salary in India
Youngest Female IFS Officer
IFS Sneha Dubey is one of the youngest female Indian Foreign Service officers and serves as a beacon of empowerment for aspiring women candidates in the realm of diplomacy. Breaking traditional barriers, she cleared the UPSC CSE in 2012 on her first attempt. Sneha Dubey, IFS, has completed her higher studies at Pune Fergusson College and also holds an MPhil in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Sneha gained popularity after her impactful response to Imran Khan at the United Nations General Assembly. She is recognized as a fearless diplomat among aspirants.
How Can You Become the Youngest IFS Officer?
To become the youngest IFS officer, you need to excel in the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination on the first attempt. This requires sheer determination and perseverance during preparation for the IFS exam. Here are the steps to becoming the youngest IFS officer: Step 1: Begin your UPSC preparation as early as possible, ideally while pursuing your undergraduate studies. Step 2: Ensure that you cover the syllabus of the UPSC exam thoroughly. Refer to the previous year's questions to understand the pattern. Step 3: Enroll in the UPSC online course to supplement your self-study and balance college with preparation under the guidance of mentors. Step 4 : Develop a well-rounded understanding of current affairs by daily reading newspapers and referring to PW OnlyIAS magazines. Step 5: Practice answer writing regularly to improve your writing speed and analytical skills, which are crucial for the main examination that ultimately decides rank. Seek feedback from mentors to improve answers. Step 6: Maintain a disciplined study schedule, allocating sufficient time to cover each subject comprehensively. Step 7: Revise thoroughly to ensure the retention of important concepts starting from the initial days. Do not procrastinate in the revision of static subjects Step 8: Stay motivated till the target exam day, learn from your mistakes, and keep refining your preparation strategy to suit the evolving pattern of the exam. Step 9: Apply for the exam in the target year, and clear each stage with dedicated revision and practice. Step 10: Choose IFS as your first preference in DAF II after clearing the UPSC Prelims and Mains stages. Perform well in the personality test to ensure a top rank in the final merit list. Embark on your journey to becoming the youngest IFS officer with focused UPSC preparation. Enroll now in the top courses offered by Physics Wallah to achieve excellence!| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims Questions | IAS vs IFS | UPSC Prelims Admit Card |
| UPSC Study Material | UPSC Scholarship Test 2024 | UPSC Result 2024 |
Youngest IFS Officer FAQs
Who is the youngest IFS officer?
Abhay Kumar is the youngest IFS officer who cleared the UPSC exam at the age of 22 in 2003.
What is the age to apply for IFS?
The minimum age to apply for IFS is 21 while the maximum age is 32 years.
Who is the most famous lady IFS officer?
IFS C. B. Muthamma is the most famous lady IFS officer who is recognized as one of the pioneering female officers in this service.
Who is the highest IFS officer?
The Foreign Secretary is the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Foreign Service.
Can a girl join the IFS?
Yes, women are eligible to join IFS after qualifying UPSC Civil Services Examination. There have been many successful female officers in the service such as C. B. Muthamma, Meira Kumar, and Sneha Dubey.
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