Ravindra Kumar (mountaineer)

Ravindra Kumar is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2011 batch, belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre, and hails from Begusarai district, Bihar. He is the first IAS officer from Begusarai to summit Mount Everest, and remains the only administrative officer in India to have done so twice.
Early life and education
Ravindra Kumar was born in Basahi village under Cheria Bariarpur block in Begusarai district of Bihar and raised in a farming family headed by his father, Shivnandan Mahto. He is an alumnus of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Begusarai, and later completed a degree in nautical science from a Mumbai-based institute before embarking on a maritime career.
Merchant Navy career
After his graduation in nautical science, Kumar joined a private shipping firm and served in the Merchant Navy, rising to the rank of Chief Officer by 2007. He worked at Pentagon Marine Services (the manning agency for Finaval Spa) from 2002 until his resignation in 2008 to prepare for the civil services examination.
Civil service career
Kumar cleared the Union Public Service Commission examination in 2011 and was initially allotted the Jammu & Kashmir cadre; his cadre was subsequently transferred to Uttar Pradesh. Over his tenure, he has served in various roles including Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Namchi (South Sikkim), Personal Secretary to Union Minister Uma Bharti, District Magistrate of Jhansi and Bareilly, and, as of mid-2019, was posted in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India.
Mountaineering achievements
First ascent (2013)
On 19 May 2013, while serving in Sikkim, Kumar became the first IAS officer from Begusarai to summit Mount Everest, ascending via the South Col (Nepal) route.
Second ascent (2019)
On 23 May 2019 at 4:20 AM, Kumar again scaled Everest—this time via the North Col (China) route—becoming the first and only IAS officer to reach the summit twice.
Awards and recognition
* Vishesh Khel Samman, Government of Bihar, in 2013 for his first Everest ascent.
* Sikkim Khel Ratna Award, Government of Sikkim, in 2013.
* Seafarers Achievement Award, Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India.
* Rs 1 lakh award and citation from the Chief Minister of Bihar, Jitan Ram Manjhi, in August 2014.
Personal life
Kumar is the eldest of four siblings. His father, Shivnandan is a farmer in Begusarai, and his brothers Birendra Kumar and Amar Kumar have pursued careers outside the civil services.

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