Avi Prasad IAS biography covers his UPSC journey, age, wife Ankita Dhakre, career achievements as Collector, and role as CEO Employment Guarantee Council MP.
Who is Avi Prasad?
Avi Prasad IAS biography showcases the inspiring journey of a dedicated civil servant who has made significant contributions to public administration in India. Born on 9 April 1986 in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, Avi Prasad is a 2014 batch Indian Administrative Service officer currently serving in the Madhya Pradesh cadre. At 38 years old in 2025, he holds the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Employment Guarantee Council under the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Prasad’s journey to the civil services reflects determination and strategic planning. Before joining the IAS, he worked as a manager at the Reserve Bank of India, demonstrating his competence in the financial sector. His decision to pursue civil services led him through multiple attempts, ultimately achieving an impressive All India Rank 12 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2014.
Throughout his career, Prasad has served in various administrative positions across Madhya Pradesh. His tenure as District Collector of Katni brought him widespread recognition for his innovative approach to combating child malnutrition. The community-based adoption programme he launched became a model for other districts to follow.
Avi Prasad comes from a family with a political background. His grandfather, Tambeshwar Prasad, also known as Bacha Babu Chaudhary, served as a minister in the Charan Singh government, establishing a legacy of public service that continues through his grandson.
Quick Facts Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Avi Prasad |
| Date of Birth | 9 April 1986 |
| Age (2025) | 38 years old |
| Place of Birth | Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Service | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) |
| Batch | 2014 |
| Cadre | Madhya Pradesh |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 12 (CSE 2014) |
| Current Position | CEO, Employment Guarantee Council, MP |
| Education | BIBF, LLB, MBA (MBL) |
| Wife | Ankita Dhakre (IAS, 2017 batch) |
| Grandfather | Tambeshwar Prasad (Former Minister) |
| Languages | Hindi |
Early Life and Background
Avi Prasad was born into a family with deep roots in public service in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. His grandfather, Tambeshwar Prasad, popularly known as Bacha Babu Chaudhary, served as a cabinet minister in the government led by former Prime Minister Charan Singh. This political heritage instilled in young Avi an early understanding of governance and administration.
Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, Prasad developed a keen interest in academics and public affairs. Despite his family’s political connections, he chose to pursue a career in the civil services, opting for a permanent role in governance rather than electoral politics.
Educational Background
Avi Prasad pursued a diverse educational path that equipped him with skills across multiple disciplines. He completed his graduation in International Business and Finance (BIBF Honours) from Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi. This foundation in international trade and finance would later prove valuable in his administrative career.
Prasad further enhanced his qualifications by obtaining a law degree (LLB) and a Master of Business Administration with a specialisation in Business Laws (MBA-MBL). According to his LinkedIn profile, he also studied at the National Law University in Jodhpur. This combination of business, finance, and legal education created a well-rounded administrator capable of handling complex policy matters.
UPSC Journey and Career
Avi Prasad’s path to the IAS was marked by perseverance and determination. Before attempting the civil services examination, he worked as a manager at the Reserve Bank of India, gaining valuable experience in financial administration. However, his ambition to serve at the grassroots level drew him towards the UPSC examination.
In his first successful attempt at UPSC CSE 2013, Prasad secured All India Rank 13 and was allocated to the Indian Police Service. He joined the IPS foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. However, driven by his goal of becoming an IAS officer, he made the bold decision to leave the IPS training midway and attempt the examination again.
His determination paid off when he cleared the UPSC CSE 2014 with an impressive All India Rank 12, securing admission to the Indian Administrative Service. He was allocated the Madhya Pradesh cadre, where he has since served in various capacities with distinction.
Career Timeline
| Year | Position | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2013 | Manager, RBI | Corporate experience before civil services |
| 2013 | IPS (AIR 13) | First UPSC success, left for IAS goal |
| 2014 | IAS (AIR 12) | Achieved IAS through second attempt |
| 2022-2024 | Collector, Katni | Launched malnutrition reduction programme |
| 2024 | Deputy Secretary, MP Secretariat | State-level policy role |
| 2025 | CEO, Employment Guarantee Council | Current posting |
Administrative Achievements
Avi Prasad’s tenure as District Collector of Katni from November 2022 to July 2024 stands out as the highlight of his career. During this period, he launched an innovative community-based programme to combat child malnutrition that gained national attention.
When Prasad arrived in Katni, he discovered alarming rates of severe acute malnutrition among children. Rather than relying solely on government resources, he conceptualised a unique model where community members could adopt malnourished children and provide them nutritional support.
Under his initiative, 111 out of 211 identified severely malnourished children were adopted by individuals from various economic backgrounds. The programme reduced malnutrition rates in Katni district by approximately 30 per cent. The Atal Bal Mitra Yojana allowed citizens to sponsor nutritional meals for malnourished children for just Rs 600, ensuring the programme’s sustainability.
Personal Life and Relationships
Avi Prasad’s personal life has attracted considerable attention alongside his professional achievements. In February 2026, he married IAS officer Ankita Dhakre in a ceremony held at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Ankita Dhakre belongs to the 2017 batch of the Indian Administrative Service and serves as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of State Administrative Services.
Prasad was previously married to Riju Bafna, his batchmate from the 2014 IAS batch who currently serves as Collector of Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh. Following their divorce, he married Misha Singh, a 2016 batch IAS officer originally from the Andhra Pradesh cadre. After their marriage, Singh’s cadre was transferred to Madhya Pradesh. She presently serves as the Collector of Ratlam district.
Despite the complexities in his personal life, Prasad has maintained focus on his administrative responsibilities, earning recognition for his work across different postings in Madhya Pradesh.
Current Role and Responsibilities
As of 2025, Avi Prasad serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Employment Guarantee Council under the Government of Madhya Pradesh. This position places him at the helm of implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in the state.
In this capacity, Prasad oversees the planning, monitoring, and execution of employment guarantee schemes across Madhya Pradesh. Before this posting, he served as Deputy Secretary in the Madhya Pradesh Secretariat following his transfer from Katni in July 2024.
Final Thoughts
Avi Prasad’s career exemplifies the determination required to achieve success in India’s competitive civil services. His decision to leave the IPS foundation course to pursue his dream of becoming an IAS officer demonstrates remarkable conviction and clarity of purpose.
His innovative approach to addressing malnutrition in Katni district showcases how administrative officers can create lasting impact through community engagement and creative problem-solving. The programme he initiated continues to inspire similar efforts in other districts across the country.
As he continues his journey in the Indian Administrative Service, Prasad carries forward a family legacy of public service while carving his own path through meaningful contributions to governance and development in Madhya Pradesh.
FAQs About Avi Prasad
What is Avi Prasad’s UPSC rank?
Avi Prasad secured All India Rank 12 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2014. He had earlier cleared UPSC CSE 2013 with AIR 13 for IPS but left the service to achieve his IAS goal.
Who is Avi Prasad’s wife?
Avi Prasad is married to IAS officer Ankita Dhakre, a 2017 batch officer serving as Deputy Secretary. They married in February 2026 at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
What is Avi Prasad’s current posting?
Avi Prasad currently serves as CEO of the Employment Guarantee Council under the Government of Madhya Pradesh, overseeing MGNREGA implementation in the state.
Where is Avi Prasad from?
Avi Prasad is originally from Sitapur district in Uttar Pradesh. His grandfather Tambeshwar Prasad was a minister in the Charan Singh government.
What is Avi Prasad’s educational qualification?
Avi Prasad holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Finance from Jamia Millia Islamia, along with LLB and MBA (MBL) degrees. He also studied at National Law University, Jodhpur.
What is Avi Prasad known for?
Avi Prasad gained national recognition for his innovative community-based programme to combat child malnutrition during his tenure as Collector of Katni, which reduced malnutrition rates by 30 per cent.
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