The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the toughest exams in India. Every year, lakhs of students appear for it. However, only a small number succeed and achieve their dream of becoming IAS, IPS, IFS, or IRS officers. The exam has three stages: the Preliminary exam, the Main exam, and the Interview. Passing all three stages needs hard work, discipline, and dedication.
This article shares the success story of IAS officer Renu Raj, who cleared the UPSC exam in her very first attempt and secured All India Rank 2. Before becoming an IAS officer, she was a medical doctor.
Renu Raj was born in 1987 in Changanassery, Kottayam district of Kerala. She comes from a modest family. Her father, M.K. Rajakumaran Nair, worked as a KSRTC bus conductor, and her mother, Latha V. N., is a homemaker. She completed her schooling at St. Teresa’s Higher Secondary School in Changanassery.
Renu Raj wanted to become a doctor and pursued an MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Kottayam. After completing her studies, she worked as a surgeon at ASI Hospital in Kalluvathukkal, Kollam district. While working full-time as a doctor, she developed the dream of becoming an IAS officer.
She started preparing for the UPSC exam in December 2013. Even with her busy schedule, she studied for 3 to 6 hours every day and stayed consistent. She mainly depended on self-study but also took coaching for better and structured preparation. She chose Malayalam Literature as her optional subject.
Renu Raj regularly read newspapers, practiced answer writing, and took many mock tests. Her focused and disciplined approach helped her succeed. At the age of 27, she cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2014 in her first attempt and secured AIR 2.
After joining the IAS, she served in important roles such as Sub-Collector and District Collector in various districts of Kerala. She is currently working as the Director of the Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Government of Kerala. Her journey is a strong example of hard work, consistency, and determination.
