A 23-year-old IIT Bombay topper from Chhattisgarh has captured national attention by winning Rs 50 lakh on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 and then rejecting a lucrative campus placement of Rs 18 lakh to pursue his UPSC dream. Yogesh Sahu chose the path of civil services over corporate wealth even though his father earns just Rs 20,000 per month as a driver. His story is inspiring young Indians across the country to follow their true calling.
IIT Topper and KBC Winner
Yogesh Sahu topped IIT Bombay in BTech Electrical Engineering after cracking JEE in his very first attempt. He scored 98 percent in Class 10 and became the state second topper in the Chhattisgarh board. He went on to win Rs 50 lakh on KBC 18 hosted by Amitabh Bachchan with sharp thinking and composure.
Rejected Rs 18 Lakh Package for UPSC
Despite a campus placement offer of Rs 18 lakh per year, Yogesh turned it down without hesitation. His goal is to crack the UPSC Civil Services exam and become an IAS officer. He told his father that the job would improve their finances but would end his dream. His father supported his choice and encouraged him to keep preparing for the exam.
Father Drives Car, Son Aims for Collector
Yogesh decided to become a collector after watching people salute his father as he drove their cars. The Chief Minister and the local Collector provided financial support for his IIT admission when he needed it most. His father continues to work as a driver, earning Rs 20,000 per month to support the family.
Quit at Rs 1 Crore Question
When the Rs 1 crore question appeared on KBC, Yogesh did not know the correct answer. The question asked which horse of the Maharaja of Baroda won the first Indian Derby in 1943 at Mumbai’s Mahalakshmi Racecourse. He used his last lifeline Sanket Suchak, which hinted at a city in present-day Tamil Nadu. He decoded the pattern connecting Nobel Prize winners to their birth cities. Choosing not to risk the prize, he quit with Rs 50 lakh.
