Dr Renu RaJ IAS

Medical doctor Renu Raj, 27, of Changanassery in Kottayam District, sailed through the Civil Services Examination of the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) in her first attempt and is poised to enter Indian Administrative Services.

In her Class 10 exam, Renu ranked among the top students in Kerala. She repeated this feat in the Class 12 exam too. She decided to study medicine and was ranked no: 60 in the medical entrance exam. Renu joined the Government Medical College in Kottayam and completed her course in January 2013. An year later, she joined the Kerala State Civil Service Academy and appeared for the Civil Services Preliminary Examination after attending coaching classes for six months. After appearing for the main civil services entrance examination, she joined the ESI Hospital in Kollam.

Renu had the full backing of her father Rajakumaran Nair, who worked as a bus conductor and retired as a District Transport Officer in the Kerala State Transport Corporation in 2011, her mother, V.S Latha, a Malayalam literature graduate, her husband, medical doctor L.S Bhagat and of her sister, Ramya Raj, also a medical student. She rose to the occasion, prepared on her own, even while working and later joined the State Academy, went to the Pala Academy for her Malayalam literature optional paper and the NSS Academy for the international relations module and model interviews.

Dr Renu Raj says: "In both medicine and the civil services, you get close to people. This (being a doctor) will help me when I become a civil services officer".

Her advice for youngsters aspiring for the civil services is this: It's not difficult. All you need is perseverance and confidence.

As for Dr Renu Raj, once the honeymoon period of well wishes is over, there will come unending challenges which test the strength of character; whether one bends by the pressure of reality or gets broken down or stands tall irrespective of inevitable hardships.

Only a select few IAS officers have been able to leave their mark in the annals of history by virtue of their Integrity, Intellect, Determination, Dedication, Enthusiasm and Endurance. They did not allow themselves to be cowed into silence and compliance by the corrupt, thus they made the people remember and respect them.

Dr Renu Raj, you have certainly made a brilliant start. Congratulations and wish wishes for a great career ahead.