Utkarsh, an architect with a Bachelor's degree from Chandigarh University, gained practical experience through an internship with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) at Varanasi Smart City Ltd. (VSCL). During this time, he worked on infrastructure projects, including site supervision, creating drawings, and preparing presentations.

His strong performance led to a promotion to Junior Architect. In this role, he worked closely with government agencies at the state and central levels on project conceptualisation, execution, and implementation, giving him insight into the complex political and bureaucratic systems at all government levels.

Utkarsh was also instrumental in developing and executing urban challenges proposed by the ministry in Varanasi. Due to the high visibility and tight deadlines of government projects, he developed his project management and problem-solving skills. Recognising the importance of effective management in addressing urban challenges, he decided to pursue a Master's in Urban Management from CEPT University.

 As a Research Associate at CRDF,  Utkarsh currently assists Mr. Suren Vakil on research projects focusing on infrastructure development in India. His duties involve conducting literature reviews, collaborating with stakeholders like government officials and consultants, overseeing data collection, performing detailed analysis, and preparing thorough reports of findings.