Kollam candidates achieve top ranks in UPSC civil services exam 2024
T'puram: Kollam is celebrating as three of its candidates secured spots in the top 100 of UPSC civil services exam, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.
Kollam native
GP Nandana
(23) came third in state as she secured the 47th rank.
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She is the youngest rank holder from Kerala this year. A native of Valakom near Kottarakkara, she completed her degree in English literature from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram. After graduation, she enrolled at Fortune IAS Academy in the state capital for civil services coaching.
Nandana said she was happy with her rank. "It's a dream come true. I received excellent coaching and that helped me secure a good rank.
I prefer Kerala cadre and I hope to get a posting here," she said. This was her second attempt, after narrowly missing out the first time. Nandana's parents are school teachers and she credits them for her success.
Another top performer is Pathanapuram native
Reenu Anna Mathews
(25), who bagged the 81st rank. Mathews, who completed her graduation from St Stephen's College, New Delhi, did her civil services training at iLearn IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram.
She succeeded in her fourth attempt. "I opted for foreign service as my first choice, but I would also be happy to work in Kerala cadre," she said. Her father Mathew George is a retired shipping officer while her mother Ani Mathew is a housewife.
The third candidate from the district is Devika Priyadarshini (29), who secured the 95th rank. Originally from Chathannoor, Devika now lives in Valiyavila, Thiruvananthapuram, with her husband, Aravind MJ, a commercial pilot.
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She cleared the exam in her very first attempt. Priyadarshini, who trained at iLearn IAS Academy, said she would be happy to get a posting under Kerala cadre.
'Becoming a collector was my dream'
Kottayam: Mundakayam native Sonnet Jose (24), who secured the 54th rank in the UPSC civil service exam, said she nursed a dream of becoming a collector right from her childhood. "I was part of the student police cadets during my school days and I got a chance to interact with people who lived in tribal villages," she said, adding that this was one of the reasons for pursuing her dream.
After schooling in Mundakayam and Kanjirappally, she did her graduation in physics from Miranda House in New Delhi. After graduation, she joined a training academy in Thiruvananthapuram. "This was my second attempt. In my first attempt, I reached the interview phase. I thank my parents and teachers who encouraged me to achieve my dream," she said.
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