Sreedhanya Suresh: First Kerala Tribal Woman to Clear IAS Exam

The Background of UPSC Topper Sreedhanya Suresh

1. Sreedhanya was born to Suresh and Kamala, a couple who earned their livelihood as daily wage laborers, selling handcrafted bows and arrows in the local market.
2. Despite growing up in an incomplete house, lacking basic amenities, Sreedhanya did not let her circumstances deter her academic pursuit.
3. Her parents, who had four children to raise, predominantly relied on the MGNREGA scheme for their income.
4. Sreedhanya hails from the Kurichiya tribe.
5. She spent her childhood in the Ambalakkolly tribal settlement at Achooranam in Wayanad District, where even a leaking roof and makeshift cloth walls did not hamper her dedication towards her studies.
6. Despite their financial struggles, her parents prioritized education, which eventually paid off.
7. Sreedhanya’s father expresses his pride, stating, “Despite the hardship, we never compromised on their education and Sreedhanya gave us a big gift today. We are proud of her.”
8. Her exceptional achievement, against all odds, has earned her a distinguished place among the list of IAS toppers.

In 2018, the first rank was secured by IITian Kanishak Kataria. You can read his story here .

The Educational and Professional Journey of Sreedhanya Suresh

1. After completing her schooling, Sreedhanya moved to Kozhikode (Calicut) to pursue a degree in Zoology from St. Joseph’s College.
2. She furthered her studies by completing a post-graduate degree in Applied Zoology from Calicut University.
3. Sreedhanya secured a clerical position with the Scheduled Tribes Development Department of the state government after her studies.
4. She also served as a warden at an Adivasi hostel in her native Wayanad.

The Journey Towards Becoming an IAS Officer

1. It was during her tenure at the ST development department that Sreedhanya had an enlightening conversation with the Collector of Wayanad, Mr. Sreeram Rao.
2. Inspired by Mr. Rao's encouragement, Sreedhanya decided to prepare for the IAS exam and moved to Thiruvananthapuram for her coaching.
3. Preparing for one of the toughest exams in the country was no easy task for Sreedhanya, but her determination was unwavering.
4. Even the loss of two sacks of books during the Kerala floods did not deter her, as she persevered in her efforts to crack the exam.

Optional Subject

Sreedhanya chose Malayalam Literature as her optional subject.

For more insights on literature optionals, you can refer to the articles mentioned in the table below:

The Driving Force

Upon the announcement of the UPSC 2018 results, Sreedhanya received congratulatory messages from several notable figures, including the Chief Minister of Kerala. She stated, “I am from the most backward district in the state. There are no tribal IAS officers from here even though there is a considerably large tribal population,”.

She hopes her success will inspire other tribal individuals to attempt the IAS exam.

Quick Facts About Sreedhanya Suresh

1. UPSC Rank: AIR 410, CSE 2018
2. Attempt: Third
3. Optional Subject: Malayalam Literature
4. Education: M.Sc. Applied Zoology
5. Work Experience: Clerk with Scheduled Tribes Development Department, Kerala Govt.
6. Age: 26
7. Native State: Kerala

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