About Me

I currently serve as the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax with the Income Tax Department, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, recently transferred to New Delhi under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

My roots trace back to Lucknow, a city that shaped my values and instilled in me a deep appreciation for culture and tehzeeb. My journey into the Indian Civil Services began with four intense years of preparation in Delhi. It was a path marked by resilience—I appeared for four UPSC interviews and succeeded in my final two attempts, securing All India Ranks 250 and 396, respectively.

Academically, my foundation lies in MBA (Marketing & International Business) from Amity University, Lucknow Campus (Foundation Batch 2004–06). I joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS-Income Tax) in 2010, and spent the next decade in Mumbai, leading complex assignments in tax enforcement, investigation, and compliance. This was followed by a year-long posting in Amritsar.

I then took a sabbatical to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University, New York, and an Executive CFO Program at Harvard Business School, further strengthening my global policy and strategic finance credentials. I also served as an Advisor at the United Nations Headquarters in New York for six months, contributing to international policy development. After returning to India, I resumed duties in Amritsar before my current posting in Delhi.

My early academic journey was far from linear. Despite excelling in PCM subjects in school, I chose to forgo engineering and instead pursued a BA from Lucknow University, majoring in Ancient Indian History—a decision born from personal setbacks and lack of structured guidance during formative years.

Through this blog, I aim to bridge that very gap. I believe the absence of timely, authentic guidance derails many talented Civil Services aspirants. This platform is my small attempt to share insights, simplify the path for future aspirants, and explore topics ranging from governance, finance, and leadership to motivation and personal growth.

You’ll also find reflections, curated thoughts, and quotes meant to inspire. I warmly welcome your feedback and thoughts—feel free to drop a comment or write to me at msduggal01@gmail.com.

Let’s build a thoughtful community.