Keralites bask in Civil Service glory – stories of grit and determination

The Civil Service Examination results declared by the UPSC on Friday mark a splendid victory for Keralites, with 47 candidates from the state finding a place on the rank list of 958 candidates. Among them, two have secured positions within the Top 100, and over 10 candidates have successfully broken into the Top 200.

Sreeja’s childhood dream becomes reality (57th rank)

Sreeja J.S. emerged as the topper among the candidates from Kerala, securing the 57th rank. A native of Thiruvananthapuram and the daughter of a construction worker, Sreeja’s journey was marked by significant financial hardships. Despite these challenges, her academic determination remained unshaken.

By achieving this rank in her first attempt, she has fulfilled her childhood dream of joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). While she initially aimed for a top 20 spot, she views the 57th rank as a monumental achievement.

Aditya’s journey from IRS to IAS (68th rank)

Aditya Narayan H. from Kollam secured the 68th rank. Aditya was already undergoing IRS training in Nagpur when he appeared for the exam this year. He is the elder son of N. Harikrishnan and P.S. Sajitha. After two unsuccessful attempts in 2021 and 2023, he secured the 357th rank in 2024, which led him to the IRS. His persistence has now paved the way for a transition to the IAS.

Triumphing over visual impairment – Ajay’s inspiring journey (109th rank)

Ajay R. Raj from Kozhikode secured the 109th position, overcoming visual impairment through sheer hard work. This was his third attempt of the exam. In his previous attempt, he secured the 730th rank and was enrolled as a trainee in the Railway Management Service. A post-graduate in English Literature, Ajay has a history of academic excellence.

From medicine to administration, tracing Dr. Vineeth’s success (129th rank)

Vineeth Lohidakshan, a native of Kodanad, Perumbavoor, holds the 129th rank. The son of M.K. Lohidakshan and K. Sreedevi, Vineeth is an MBBS graduate from Chennai Medical College. His experience serving during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to pivot toward civil services to create a broader social impact. Currently in stage of completion of training as an Assistant Commissioner in the Revenue Service in Nagpur, this was his third successful attempt, having previously secured the 169th and 211th ranks.

Dr. V.C. Sreelakshmi ; Fulfilling a father’s dream (133rd rank)

Dr. V.C. Sreelakshmi, a native of Thrissur, has secured the 133rd rank in the examination. A graduate of Thrissur Medical College, Dr. Sreelakshmi completed her MBBS in 2014. Even during her rigorous medical studies, Sreelakshmi held a deep-seated desire to fulfill her father’s dream of seeing her in the civil services. To dedicate herself to this goal, she took a leave of absence from her practice at Ashwini Hospital to focus on exam preparation. Remarkably, her academic journey didn't stop at the UPSC; she also successfully secured her MD (Doctor of Medicine) during this same period.

Kajal Raju, defying physical limitations with grit (167th rank)

Kajal Raju from Nileshwaram secured the 167th rank, proving that physical challenges are no match for a determined spirit. Born without her right palm, Kajal never viewed her condition as a deficiency. Her achievement came while she was training for the Indian Railway Management Service in Jammu and Kashmir. Having jumped from the 910th rank in 2022 to the 167th this year, she has turned her challenges into a ladder for victory.

Relentless persistence pays off for Anjana (222nd rank)

Anjana B. hailing from Palakkad, has secured the 222nd rank in the UPSC Civil Service Examination. This achievement comes as the culmination of her dedication over four attempts. Anjana completed her degree in Engineering in 2021, which was the period when her aspirations for the civil services first began to take shape. She also went on to complete a post-graduation in Sociology. Despite her hard work and preparation, the news of her success came as a surprise. Reacting to the announcement, she said: "The result was completely unexpected."

Dr. K.R. Lakshmi: From Dentistry to Civil Service (376th rank)

Dr. K.R. Lakshmi, a native of Shoranur, has secured the 376th rank in the UPSC Civil Service Examination, a victory that comes after a long and persistent journey. Dr. Lakshmi began her UPSC attempts in 2019. Her path was marked by a narrow miss in 2022, when she missed out on a rank by a single mark. A BDS graduate, Dr. Lakshmi furthered her education with a Post Graduation from the prestigious National Institute of Forensic Science in Gujarat. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Director of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Delhi, bringing a wealth of administrative experience to her new achievement in the civil services.

Jaseela’s vision for success (397th rank)

Jaseela Jannath P., a visually impaired candidate from Vadakara, Kozhikode, secured the 397th rank. With a visual impairment exceeding 40%, Jaseela’s success marks a significant milestone for differently-abled aspirants. A former Project Associate at the Prajaahita Foundation, her interest in social dynamics led her to choose Sociology as her optional subject. This was her third attempt.

Athira’s unflinching commitment and unwavering determination (483rd rank)

Athira Sugathan K. a native of Kozhikode, has cleared the exam with a rank of 483, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination. Athira suffered severe head and spinal injuries in a road accident while studying BDS in Bengaluru. The accident left her paralysed below the chest and caused memory loss for nearly two years. During the period of memory loss, Athira said she had no recollection of her earlier studies. She added that without the accident, she might never have considered civil services. She said she plans to continue attempting the examination until she secures a place in the Indian Administrative Service.

Mohammed Ashmil Shah – Aiming for the Global Stage (382nd rank)

Mohammed Ashmil Shah, a native of Munniyoor, Malappuram, has secured the 382nd rank in the UPSC Civil Service Examination. He is currently pursuing his Post Graduation in International Relations at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. His academic focus on global dynamics aligns perfectly with his career goal: joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

These triumphs prove that while the UPSC syllabus is vast, it is no match for the grit of a determined spirit or the strength of a lifelong dream. Through these stories, Kerala finds a powerful reminder: no barrier—be it financial, physical, or personal—is truly insurmountable.