Founder's Message

The “Inside-Out” Approach to UPSC

From the Boardroom to the Steel Frame: Why I Mentor for the “Human Papers”

When I served as a Group A Officer under the Government of India, my days were not spent revising books or memorizing facts. They were spent solving real human dilemmas—addressing governance gaps, motivating teams, managing crises and ensuring that public services reached the last citizen in the line.

Before stepping into the “Steel Frame,” I was a Mechanical Engineer, and later, I completed my MBAs in International Business, Marketing and HR. Moving through these diverse domains—from technical rigor to corporate strategy, and finally to administrative responsibility—I discovered one fundamental truth about the UPSC Civil Services Examination:

UPSC is not an exam of memory.

It is an exam of maturity, judgment and administrative mindset.

This realization is the foundation on which Pinnation IAS has been built.

I created this academy with a deliberate and focused purpose—to mentor aspirants in the spaces where an Officer’s Perspective truly transforms performance:
Ethics (GS–IV), Governance (GS–II), the Essay, Test Series and Strategic Mentorship.
These are what I call the “Human Papers.”
They are not learned; they are cultivated.

The Five Pillars of Pinnation IAS

1. Ethics is not Philosophy; it is Decision Making.

Having worked in HR, organizational behaviour and public administration, I teach Ethics as Applied Administrative Logic. Here, values are not chapters—they are tools to solve real case studies, the same way I tackled challenges in the field.

2. Governance is not Theory; it is Implementation.

Students often find GS–II abstract or “dry.” I show you the life inside the file—how RTI works in practice, how citizen charters succeed or fail, and how e-governance transforms or stagnates in the field.

3. The Essay is the Mirror of Your Personality.

An MBA trains you to structure thoughts. An Officer’s career teaches you to provide solutions. Under my guidance, you will learn how to write essays that reflect intellectual depth, administrative clarity and national vision—qualities that examiners instantly recognize.

4. The “Officer-Led” Mentorship Programme.

This is the beating heart of Pinnation IAS. Knowledge is everywhere. Strategy is nowhere. As your mentor, I do not merely teach—I become your Strategic Partner. Using management principles such as ROI-based study, SWOT analysis of your mock tests and lean preparation models, I ensure that your preparation becomes targeted, time-efficient and professionally structured.

You will begin building Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) from day one—not just during the interview phase.

5. Precision Test Series and Real-World Assessment.

Every test you take here is evaluated through the lens of an administrative practitioner. We assess not only what you wrote, but how an officer would think in your place.

My Commitment to You

As the Chief Mentor, I am not interested in creating a coaching factory.
I am building a focused, elite circle of aspirants, who are willing to work smart, stay disciplined, and rise above the noise of mass-market content.

Through my Masterclasses and 1-on-1 Mentorship, you will receive the honest, unfiltered truth of what it takes to succeed in UPSC—and what it takes to serve the Government of India with competence and character.

You bring the determination.
I will bring the Administrative Edge.

Together, we will prepare not just for an exam—but for a career of purpose.

Parag Gupta

Founder & CMD – Pinnation IAS
Ex-Group A Officer, Government of India
BE (Mechanical) | MBA (International Business & Marketing), MBA ( HR)

Empowering aspirants to achieve excellence in the UPSC IAS exams through comprehensive guidance, quality education, and personalized mentorship.

Useful Links

Our Courses

Enquiry Form

Copyright 2026, Pinnation IAS. All Rights Reserved.