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Economic Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
How Virat Kohli's discipline inspired a 22-year-old to crack UPSC with AIR 3 in her first attempt
Ananya Reddy, an alumna of Miranda House, Delhi, turned her UPSC dream into reality by securing AIR 3 in her first try. Drawing motivation from cricket icon Virat Kohli, she managed stress with sports and novels, proving that consistency, not just hard work, defines success. In a nation where millions dream of donning the coveted UPSC cap, only a few make it to the finish line—fewer still in their first attempt. And when someone does it at just 22, clinching the All India Rank 3, the feat isn't just impressive—it's extraordinary. Meet Donuru Ananya Reddy, a name that has suddenly become synonymous with grit, balance, and unwavering ambition. Hailing from Mahabubnagar in Telangana, Ananya Reddy's journey to UPSC success began soon after she completed her undergraduate degree in Geography from Delhi's Miranda House. With a minor in Economics, her academic foundation was strong, but the Civil Services demanded more than just classroom knowledge. It required commitment, sacrifice, and a strategy tailored to her own strengths—and that's exactly what she crafted. She shifted to Delhi, rented a modest room near her coaching institute, and immersed herself in a lifestyle of purposeful study. Not one to blindly chase popular study routines, Ananya created a flexible yet focused approach. Study hours slowly increased—from scattered sessions to a disciplined 12-14 hour daily regime—but never at the cost of her mental well-being. While most UPSC aspirants fear burnout, Ananya understood the value of breaks. Her stress-buster? Cricket. Her hero? Virat Kohli. Not just for his runs on the pitch, but for the sheer discipline, resilience, and 'never-say-die' attitude he embodies. 'His work ethic and mental strength have been my biggest learnings,' Ananya shared in an interview with The Indian Express . Her leisure hours were filled with test matches and novels—each a mini-escape that kept her grounded amid the pressure. In 2023, with just two years of preparation, Ananya cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her very first attempt. She not only secured AIR 3 overall but emerged as the highest-ranking female candidate of the year. Her final score? A staggering 1065, including a remarkable 190 in the Personality Test. Her chosen optional was Anthropology—a subject she meticulously mastered with the help of coaching and extensive self-study. But beyond marks and ranks, it was her vision for public service that stood out. 'No matter where I'm posted,' she said, 'I want to bring the administration closer to the people.' With the UPSC 2025 prelims underway and over 13 lakh aspirants vying for a spot, stories like Ananya's shine like beacons. Her success isn't merely about long hours or academic brilliance—it's about clarity of purpose, mental discipline, and a refusal to give up. — jsuryareddy (@jsuryareddy) From a small town in Telangana to the UPSC merit list's top three, Ananya Reddy has proved that success doesn't always need a rigid schedule—it needs consistency, courage, and a bit of cricket when things get tough. For every young dreamer preparing to face their own version of the UPSC pitch, Ananya's story is a reminder: Believe like Kohli. Prepare like Reddy. And never stop playing to win.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
PM Modi's 10 key messages for civil servants that every UPSC aspirant must note
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge for the upcoming UPSC civil services exams. Here's the knowledge nugget for today. Relevance: Governance and bureaucracy are central to both the UPSC exam and the roles that civil service aspirants aim to take up. With two key events this week related to bureaucracy—the final results of the Civil Services Exam 2024 and Civil Services Day—today's knowledge nugget is especially significant for aspirants, as are the Prime Minister's words on this occasion. The key takeaways from his speech are highly relevant for Ethics, Essay, GS Paper II, and the Personality Test. More importantly, their relevance extends beyond the exam.) Why in the news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed an event organised on the occasion of Civil Services Day. Speaking to the civil servants, Prime Minister spoke on a range of themes related to bureaucracy and governance. Check out the 10 key takeaways. Key Takeaways : 1. Reflecting on the past role of bureaucracy as a regulator controlling the pace of industrialisation and entrepreneurship, he emphasised that the nation has moved beyond this mindset and is now fostering an environment that promotes enterprise among citizens and helps them overcome barriers. 'Civil services must transform into an enabler, expanding its role from merely being the keeper of rule books to becoming a facilitator of growth,' PM said. 2. PM Modi said India's bureaucracy and policy making cannot operate on outdated frameworks and that the policies the government is working on now are going to shape the future of the next 1,000 years. 'To fulfil these extraordinary aspirations, extraordinary speed is essential,' he said. 3. PM warned that in a technology-driven world, one should not forget the importance of human judgement, and urged civil servants to always pay attention to people's voices. 'Be sensitive, listen to the voice of the poor, understand their problems, make solving them your priority. Just like Atithi devo bhava (guests are like Gods), we have to move ahead with the mantra that Naagrik devo Bhava (citizens are like Gods).' 4. He said in the age of technology, governance is not about managing systems, it is about multiplying possibilities. In the last decade, he said, the government has bridged the gap with citizens by leveraging technology, innovation and new practices. 'Its impact is visible in rural and urban areas as well as in remote areas,' he said. To remain relevant, the PM said, the members of civil service have to adapt themselves according to contemporary challenges. The prime minister said quality in governance is determined by how deeply schemes reach the people and their real impact on the ground. The holistic development of India means no village, no family and no citizen is left behind. 'Holistic Development of India' was the theme of this year's Civil Services Day. 5. In the past 10 years, he said, India has moved beyond incremental change to witness impactful transformation. 'India is setting new benchmarks in governance, transparency and innovation,' he added. Referring to the G20 Summit hosted by India in 2023, he said the approach of 'janbhagidari' turned the event into a people's movement and the world acknowledged. 6. Regarding efforts to reduce bureaucratic delays, he said that the government has eliminated over 40,000 non-compliances, and decriminalised over 3,400 legal provisions. 'I remember, when we were working to reduce the burden of compliance, when we were decriminalising some of the mistakes that happen during business, it was a surprise to me that there were voices of protest in some corners. Many people used to say, 'it has not happened till date, why are you doing it'? 'It is working, let it be'. 'What difference does it make to you? Let them comply, why are you increasing your work',' he said. 7. India has ambitious goals for the coming years in all sectors from clean energy, energy security to advancements in sports and space exploration, he said, adding that with these goals in mind, civil servants have an immense responsibility and should strive to prevent delays. 8. Reiterating the 'Panch Pran' vision announced from the Red Fort—emphasizing the resolve for a developed India, liberation from the mindset of servitude, pride in heritage, the power of unity, and the honest fulfillment of duties— PM Modi emphasized that civil servants are key to upholding these ideals. He stated, 'Every time you choose integrity over ease, innovation over inertia, or service over status, you push the nation forward,' affirming his full trust in the civil service. 9. Addressing young officers at the start of their careers, he acknowledged the role of society in shaping individual success, noting that many aspire to give back. He urged them to recognize the unique privilege they hold in serving the nation and to make the most of this opportunity granted by the people. 10. Recalling Sardar Patel's historic remark on April 21, 1947, calling civil servants the 'Steel Frame of India,' PM Modi highlighted Patel's vision of a disciplined, honest, and democracy-driven bureaucracy committed to national service. He stressed the continued relevance of these ideals in India's journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat. 'We have to increase the competence of civil servants so that we can prepare a future-ready civil service; that is why I consider both Mission Karmayogi and Civil Service Capacity Building Programme very important.' BEYOND THE NUGGET: Mission Karmayogi — It is capacity-building scheme for civil servants aimed at upgrading the post-recruitment training mechanism of the officers and employees at all levels. — The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB) envisioned by the Government, addresses the changing needs and aspirations of the citizen. Anchored by an apex body and headed by the Prime Minister, it is designed to enhance the civil services under a national programme. — The NPSCSB aims to embark on a learning transformation program that will address the capacity building issues of the Civil Services through a comprehensive online platform – iGOT Karmayogi. — iGOT Karmayogi provide 'anytime-anywhere-any device' learning to train around 2.0 crores users which was so far unachievable through traditional measures. Supported by a robust e-learning content industry the content can be curated by individual government ministries or organizations. (a) 'Bringing Citizens and Government closer' (c) 'Holistic Development of India'
Business Standard
23-04-2025
- General
- Business Standard
KingMakers IAS Academy Leads Tamil Nadu in UPSC 2025 Results
PNN New Delhi [India], April 23: In the recently announced All India Civil Services Examination results by the UPSC, B. Sivachandran, a student of KingMakers IAS Academy, has secured the top rank from Tamil Nadu. This was announced by the Director of KingMakers IAS Academy, Prof. Sathyashree Boominathan. He further stated: Outstanding Achievements by KingMakers Students A total of 138 students from KingMakers IAS Academy have made it to the final list and achieved success. Out of the top 50 ranks in India, five students are from KingMakers. Among them, Abhishek Vashishtha secured the 14th rank, Vibhor Bhardwaj secured the 19th rank, and B. Sivachandran secured the 23rd rank in the UPSC results. KingMakers Academy Turns the Dream of Tamil Nadu Students into Reality B. Sivachandran secured the first rank in Tamil Nadu, followed by P. Pavithra, marking a significant achievement for the state. KingMakers IAS Academy's Legacy of Success KingMakers IAS Academy was inaugurated by the late former President of India and Bharat Ratna awardee, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee. Under the able leadership of Prof. Sathyashree Boominathan, this prestigious institute has, over the past 13 years, produced over 1000 All India civil servants (IAS, IPS, IFS). Notably, Ishita Kishore (2022) and Aditya Srivastava (2023) secured All India Rank 1 and are proud alumni of KingMakers IAS Academy. Reasons Behind KingMakers' Success Prof. Sathyashree Boominathan stated that one of the key reasons for KingMakers IAS Academy's consistent success is the high-quality coaching provided by expert faculty for both Preliminary and Main examinations. Additionally: * Specialized sessions like GMT (General Mental Training) and DAWS (Discussion and Weekly Sessions) helped students understand current affairs deeply. * Most importantly, under the guidance of former UPSC Chairman Mr. D.P. Agrawal, students received top-tier training for the Personality Test (PTGP), which played a significant role in their success. Admissions Open at KingMakers IAS Academy Admissions for the 2025-2026 Civil Services and TNPSC Group 1 exams are currently open at the KingMakers IAS Academy branches in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Puducherry, and New Delhi. Interested candidates are welcome to join and benefit from the coaching.
