Anu Kumari IAS: The Inspiring True Story of UPSC Rank 2 Achievement

Anu Kumari IAS is one of India’s most inspiring civil servants. She secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017 and became the highest-ranked woman candidate that year. Her journey from a working professional and young mother to a top-ranking IAS officer has motivated thousands of aspirants across the country.

Belonging to the 2018 batch of the Kerala cadre, Anu Kumari has served in multiple important positions in Kerala. Her story shows how determination, smart planning, and family support can help someone achieve big goals even while balancing personal responsibilities.

Quick Information Table

Anu Kumari IAS Age, Early Life and Education

Anu Kumari was born on 18 November 1986 in Sonipat, Haryana. She grew up in a supportive middle-class family that valued education. Her father, Baljit Singh, worked in the HR department of a hospital, and her mother, Santro Devi, is a homemaker. She has two brothers and one sister.

She completed her schooling at Shiva Shiksha Sadan School in Sonipat. From a young age, she showed strong interest in studies and performed well academically.

For higher education, she moved to Delhi and joined Hindu College, University of Delhi. She graduated with a B.Sc (Honours) degree in Physics. Later, she pursued an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Nagpur.

After completing her studies, Anu worked in the corporate sector for nearly nine years. She worked with ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and later with Aviva Life Insurance, earning a good salary. Despite professional success, she felt a strong desire to serve the public and decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

UPSC Journey and Success

Anu Kumari left her high-paying job in 2016 to prepare full-time for the civil services. In her first attempt (2016), she missed the prelims cutoff by just one mark. Undeterred, she prepared more systematically for the next year.

In her second attempt in 2017, she secured All India Rank 2 with a total of 1124 marks. She chose Sociology as her optional subject. At the time of her success, she was a mother of a four-year-old son. She studied 10–12 hours daily and stayed with her parents for focused preparation.

Her achievement made her a national inspiration, especially for working women and mothers preparing for competitive exams.

Family Details

Anu Kumari is married to Varun Dahiya, a businessman based in Delhi. The couple has one son named Rihan Dahiya. Her family provided strong emotional and practical support during her UPSC preparation. She has often credited her parents and husband for helping her balance studies with family responsibilities.

Career and Current Posting

After selection, Anu Kumari joined the Indian Administrative Service in the 2018 batch and was allotted the Kerala cadre. She completed her training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie.

Her key postings in Kerala include:

• Assistant Collector / Sub-Collector
• Sub-Collector, Thalassery
• Mission Director, MGNREGS
• Director, Kerala State IT Mission
• District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram (from July 2024)

In September 2026, she was transferred and posted as Special Commissioner, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Kerala.

As District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, she worked on education, mental health, digital governance, and women-centric initiatives. She also received recognition for efficient district administration.

Awards and Achievements

The biggest achievement of Anu Kumari’s career so far is securing All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017. She was also the highest-ranked woman candidate that year. This result brought her national recognition and made her a role model for thousands of aspirants across India.

Before clearing the UPSC, Anu Kumari had a strong academic record. She completed her B.Sc (Honours) in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi University, and later earned an MBA in Finance and Marketing from IMT Nagpur. Her consistent performance in school and college helped build the foundation for her civil services success.

Key Achievements

• All India Rank 2 in UPSC CSE 2017 (highest among women candidates)
• Named brand ambassador for the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme in Sonipat by the Haryana government
• Recognition for excellent work as Sub-Collector
• Best District Collector Office Award under her leadership in Thiruvananthapuram

Professional Career and Administrative Contributions

Anu Kumari joined the Indian Administrative Service in the 2018 batch and was allotted the Kerala cadre. After completing her training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, she began her field career in Kerala.

She has served in several important positions, including:

• Assistant Collector / Sub-Collector
• Sub-Collector, Thalassery
• Mission Director, MGNREGS
• Director, Kerala State IT Mission
• District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram (July 2024 – September 2026)
• Special Commissioner, GST, Kerala (current posting since September 2026)

In these roles, she has worked on district administration, digital governance, rural employment programmes, education initiatives, and public service delivery. Her work reflects a strong focus on effective governance and citizen-centric administration.

Interesting Facts About Anu Kumari IAS

• Anu Kumari secured the 2nd rank in UPSC CSE 2017-18, making her one of the top-ranked IAS officers of her batch.
• She is from Kerala cadre and has been serving as an Indian Administrative Service officer since 2018.
• Her exceptional UPSC rank brought her national recognition and made her a prominent figure among civil services aspirants.
• Anu Kumari’s success story has inspired thousands of candidates preparing for the UPSC examination across India.
• She has participated in various administrative reforms and developmental projects in Kerala during her postings.
• Her performance in all three stages of UPSC examination (Preliminary, Mains, and Interview) was consistently strong.
• Anu Kumari has been recognized by educational institutions and coaching centers as an exemplary civil services candidate.
• Her journey from preparation to achieving such a high rank demonstrates the effectiveness of systematic planning and disciplined preparation.
• She has contributed to discussions on public administration and governance at various forums and platforms.
• Anu Kumari’s career reflects the growing presence of talented women officers in the Indian Administrative Service.

Conclusion

Anu Kumari IAS stands as a powerful example of perseverance and balanced ambition. From a corporate professional and young mother in Haryana to All India Rank 2 and an accomplished IAS officer in Kerala, her journey continues to inspire lakhs of aspirants. Her story proves that with clear goals, disciplined effort, and family support, even the toughest examinations can be cracked while managing personal responsibilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Anu Kumari’s UPSC rank?

She secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017.

2. What is Anu Kumari IAS age?

She was born on 18 November 1986 and is 39 years old as of 2026.

3. Who is Anu Kumari’s husband?

Her husband’s name is Varun Dahiya. He is a businessman.

4. Does Anu Kumari have children?

Yes, she has one son named Rihan Dahiya.

5. Which cadre does Anu Kumari belong to?

She belongs to the Kerala cadre of the 2018 IAS batch.

6. What is Anu Kumari’s educational qualification?

She holds a B.Sc (Hons) in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi University, and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from IMT Nagpur.

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