Contributor Stories: Deepanshu Katara

PriyankaRudramaina

Microsoft

Feb 28, 2025

Today, we're delighted to have a conversation with Deepanshu Katara, Lead Systems Engineer. Deepanshu stands out as one of the top contributors to Azure Data and App Services under Microsoft Q&A community, consistently aiding our customers with excellent code samples and answering technical questions in the Q&A section. With over 8 years of experience as a Cloud and DevOps Architect, Deepanshu's extensive expertise includes multi-cloud engineering, DevOps practices, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC).

If you’ve ever engaged with the content on the Microsoft Learn platform, the material you utilized was likely written or co-authored by dedicated contributors. These contributors, often volunteers, generously offer their time and expertise to fill knowledge gaps within our content portfolio by suggesting valuable updates to our material, sharing their knowledge within the Microsoft community, and/or answering questions on the Q&A area of the Microsoft Learn platform. 
In this interview series, we aim to acquaint ourselves with some of these valuable contributors. Through these conversations, we seek to understand their motivations for sharing their knowledge on Microsoft Learn and gain insights into their experiences. 

Welcome and congratulations on being our spotlighted contributor this month: Deepanshu Katara, a dedicated Lead Systems Engineer based in India. With around eight years of experience as a Cloud and DevOps Architect, Deepanshu has led high-impact projects for global clients in the retail, healthcare, and technology sectors. At EPAM Systems, Deepanshu spearheaded cloud migration and digital transformation initiatives using Azure DevOps, Terraform, and Bicep, ensuring seamless application deployment and operational excellence.

Deepanshu is an active member of Microsoft Community Champions. This program identifies, engages, and rewards technology experts who frequently provide high-quality answers to customers' questions on Microsoft Learn Q&A. Deepanshu is an Azure technology subject matter expert (SME), specifically focuses on Azure Q&A. He has answered over 1,000+ questions - supporting thousands of Azure users on Microsoft Learn Q&A by unblocking them from technical roadblocks.

Meet Deepanshu

Deepanshu Katara, Lead Systems Engineer at Epam Systems and Microsoft MVP.

Priyanka: Hi Deepanshu! It's great to have you with us today. Could you start by telling us a bit about your background and experience?

Deepanshu: Absolutely, Priyanka! I’m happy to. I thrive in collaborative environments where I can mentor teams and drive innovation. My experience includes architecting Kubernetes infrastructure, implementing secure cloud solutions, and automating deployments. Additionally, I actively contribute to the Azure community by organizing and hosting the weekly Azure Tech Talk series, which fosters knowledge-sharing and collaboration within the organization. My dedication to excellence and innovation is evident in my commitment to mentoring, integrating Agile methodologies, and architecting secure, scalable cloud solutions.

With years of experience as a Cloud and DevOps Architect, I bring a wealth of expertise in multi-cloud engineering, DevOps practices, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). My journey has involved leading and contributing to high-impact projects for global clients across retail, healthcare, and technology sectors.

Priyanka: That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing your impressive background, Deepanshu. Your extensive experience in multi-cloud engineering, DevOps practices, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is commendable. What inspired you to begin your journey with Microsoft Learn and the Microsoft Tech Community?
Deepanshu: My journey as a top contributor began as a curious user seeking solutions to my Azure-related questions on a Q&A platform. Initially, I relied heavily on the community to resolve challenges, and this invaluable resource shaped my early understanding of Azure. Over time, as I gained knowledge and practical experience, I realized the power of shared expertise and decided to give back by contributing to the same platform that had once guided me. This transition from a learner to a contributor marked the beginning of a fulfilling journey.

What keeps me motivated is the dual benefit of contributing: helping others while continuously growing myself. Sharing expertise not only allows me to support the community but also ensures I stay updated with the latest technologies and tools in Azure. Engaging with diverse questions and scenarios sharpens my problem-solving skills and deepens my technical knowledge. Additionally, it helps me refine my soft skills, such as communication and mentorship, enabling me to articulate complex concepts clearly and effectively. This mutual exchange of learning and giving back makes contributing a deeply rewarding experience, fueling my passion to remain an active participant in the community.

Priyanka: It's truly inspiring to hear how you transitioned from a learner to a top contributor and how your dedication to helping others has fueled your own growth. Your commitment to fostering a knowledge-sharing culture and driving innovation within the Azure community is commendable.
I’d love to know what led you to start contributing to Microsoft Learn. What inspired you to take that step and become an active participant in the community?
Deepanshu: Contributing to the Microsoft Learn platform has been pivotal in advancing my career and enhancing my skill set. Engaging with the community has allowed me to explore a wide range of Azure technologies and scenarios beyond my daily responsibilities. This exposure has significantly broadened my technical expertise, keeping me up-to-date with the latest advancements in Azure and related tools. Additionally, crafting detailed and precise responses to complex queries has honed my problem-solving abilities and improved my capability to communicate technical concepts effectively.

This experience has also boosted my confidence in sharing knowledge and mentoring others, positively impacting my leadership skills. It has strengthened my ability to think critically and adapt quickly to new challenges. By actively contributing, I have not only solidified my understanding of Azure technologies but also gained recognition within the community, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations in my professional journey. 🙂

Priyanka: That's fantastic! Having real-time visibility of potential problems on the Q&A site, along with exposure to diverse solutions, can significantly impact someone's technical growth. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying it and making a difference by helping hundreds of users. Could you shed some light on your experience partnering with Microsoft as part of Microsoft Community Champions so far?

Deepanshu: Partnering with Microsoft through the Azure Community Champions program has been an incredibly collaborative and empowering experience. One recent example that stands out is when I needed assistance in designing an audit framework for Azure resources at the management group level. The task was complex and required a thorough understanding of Azure's hierarchical resource organization, policies, and best practices. Reaching out to the community of fellow champions proved invaluable. I received exceptional support and insights from other champions who shared their expertise, tools, and real-world experiences, helping me craft a robust and scalable framework.

This experience highlighted the strength of the Azure Community Champions program as not just a knowledge-sharing platform but a collaborative network where professionals support each other in solving advanced technical challenges. It reaffirmed the value of being part of such a passionate and knowledgeable group, fostering continuous learning and mutual growth while contributing to impactful Azure solutions.

Priyanka: I’m glad you got that little nudge to join our Microsoft Q&A Community and to contribute to it – sounds like it was an excellent experience for you. What advice would you give to people who want to start contributing to technical community forums?
Deepanshu: For those looking to start contributing to forums, my advice is to begin by identifying areas you are passionate about or technologies you frequently use. Start small—explore existing open-source projects, participate in discussions, or address issues flagged by the community. You don’t need to be an expert; even updating documentation, fixing minor bugs, or sharing feedback can make a significant impact. Platforms like MS Q&A and other community forums provide an excellent starting point for discovering projects and interacting with contributors.

Consistency and collaboration are key to building your presence in the open-source community. Approach your contributions with a learning mindset and focus on adding value while honing your skills. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from experienced contributors; open source thrives on inclusivity and mentorship. Over time, contributing will enhance your technical expertise and improve your collaboration and problem-solving skills, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Priyanka: Awesome insight and advice, thanks! One final question for you. One purpose of this interview is to learn a little about the person behind the contributions. What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies?
Deepanshu: Outside of work, I am an avid sports enthusiast and love engaging in physical activities. I frequently participate in corporate cricket tournaments and enjoy playing basketball. Athletics have always been a significant part of my life—I used to compete in the shot put, which instilled in me discipline and a love for competition. Staying active through sports not only keeps me physically fit but also enhances my teamwork and focus, qualities I bring into my professional life.

In addition to sports, I enjoy spending my free time watching movies and relaxing with my son, who bring immense joy and relaxation to my routine. These activities provide a perfect balance to my tech-driven career, keeping me refreshed and inspired while offering opportunities for connection and leisure.

With my Son

Priyanka: That's wonderful to hear! Engaging in sports and physical activities is a fantastic way to stay fit and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Participating in corporate cricket tournaments and playing basketball must be a lot of fun. Well, it was wonderful meeting you today. Before we finish up, is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience contributing?

Deepanshu: Thanks, Priyanka. It was nice to meet you, as well! I'd like to share that contributing to the community has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has allowed me to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded professionals continuously. The support and collaboration within the community have been invaluable, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to give back and help others on their journey. Thank you for having me!

Priyanka: It was great having you, Deepanshu. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. Kudos to you for all the great work you have been doing with the online communities and Microsoft Learn Q&A forum. Thank you.