Writing down her dreams where she could see them every day was always a habit for Sreeja J. S. Back in Class 10, she had written ‘Full A+’, and she achieved it. That belief stayed with her as she grew. When she decided to take on one of the toughest exams in the country, she did the same again. She took a small piece of paper and wrote, “Sreeja JS, IFS, AIR 15.”
There was no well-painted wall to place this note on as something aesthetic. But for Sreeja, it was never about decorating a room; it was about shaping her own mind. On a rough, unpainted wall in her small home, that handwritten dream quietly waited.
For two years, those words watched over late nights, moments of self-doubt, and relentless effort. When the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025 results were declared, Sreeja was on the list. She secured an impressive all-India rank of 57.
A DREAM BUILT IN A SMALL ROOM
Sreeja J. S. belongs to Naruvamoodu near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Her preparation did not happen in a perfect setup. It took place in a simple room with bare walls. When the space began to feel dull and dark, she and her father painted it together using her small savings, turning it into a place filled with hope.
Her father, Jayakumar, studied only till Class 9. But he carried a vision far bigger than his circumstances. He had already decided that financial struggles would never limit his daughter’s dreams.
He says to the media,
“Sometimes I cycle 40 km up and down for work. We wanted to ensure our children achieve their academic dreams and that money should not become a barrier. I pledged our gold, including my wife’s tali, to secure a loan of ₹8 lakh for her civil services preparation. At times, relatives also helped.”
The road was not easy. But both her parents stood firmly with her. Even after returning from work, her father would help in the kitchen, making sure Sreeja never lost time meant for studying.
EDUCATION BECAME HER STRENGTH
From a young age, Sreeja understood one thing clearly: education was her way forward.
Sreeja studied at Little Flower School, Vellayani; New Higher Secondary School, Nellimoodu; and St. Mary’s School, Pattom. Inspired by her teachers, she first dreamed of becoming an IAS officer. Later, she went to Madras Christian College for her degree and postgraduate studies in political science. It was here that her interest in international relations grew deeper.
Her mother, a postgraduate in history, had once narrowly missed a government job. That experience quietly strengthened the family’s determination to see Sreeja succeed.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH DIPLOMACY
Civil services first caught her attention in Class 7. But it was during college that she truly found her calling.
International relations excited her. It felt vast, dynamic, and full of possibilities. The idea of representing India, understanding cultures, and working in diplomacy drew her strongly toward the Indian Foreign Service.
She also admired leaders like S. Jaishankar and Nirupama Rao, shaping her vision of the officer she wanted to become.
ONE ATTEMPT, ONE GOAL
Sreeja kept her preparation simple but powerful. She wrote a note to herself:
“I am writing the UPSC CSE only once and am taking the Indian Foreign Service in 2025-26. Now, get to work!!! you lazy buffoon!“
Every day, she looked at it before studying. Whenever she felt tired, it reminded her why she started.
She followed a disciplined plan, trusted her mentors, and focused on consistency rather than long hours. Some days were shorter, some longer, but she made sure her daily targets were always completed.
Her preparation was not just about books. Even her pet cat Lara became a small source of joy, often pulling her away from stress. Her faith also grounded her; prayers, church, and conversations with loved ones helped her stay calm through the journey.
THE MOMENT EVERYTHING CHANGED
When the UPSC CSE 2025 results were announced, Sreeja checked her rank again and again. Each time, it showed 57.
She ran to her parents and shouted, “Amma, Acha, I made it!”
Today, Sreeja is an inspiration. Her story carries belief, discipline, and quiet strength, something that can guide many aspirants. She still calls herself “the same old Sreeja”—talkative, simple, and grounded. But her vision is clear: to become a compassionate and capable diplomat and to represent India with pride.
The story proves one thing. Sometimes, the biggest journeys don’t begin with perfect opportunities. They begin with a small dream, moments of self-doubt, holding the dream tightly, writing it down on a simple wall, looking at it every day, and finally achieving it with quiet determination.
(This article is written by Ahamed Sabith Abdul Bari, copy editor at Indian Masterminds.)
