New Delhi: The journey of Sridhanya Suresh, a 2019-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, is an example of how determination and support can help overcome financial and social challenges. Hailing from Wayanad’s Kurichiya tribal community, Sridhanya grew up in a family that faced financial difficulties and went on to become the first tribal woman IAS officer from Kerala.
Her journey from walking several kilometres to attend school to clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination has made her story an inspiration for many young people from underprivileged backgrounds.
Sridhanya Suresh Used to Walk 4 Km to School
Sridhanya spent her childhood in Wayanad among the Kurichiya tribal community. Her parents worked as daily-wage labourers to support the family, and financial resources were limited.
Despite these challenges, her family gave importance to education. Sridhanya would walk around 4 kilometres to reach school, continuing her studies despite the difficulties associated with limited resources.
Her early life taught her to remain focused on education and gradually strengthened her ambition to build a different future.
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How Sridhanya Developed an Interest in Civil Services
Sridhanya later worked with the Scheduled Tribes Development Department, where she gained a closer understanding of government administration and the role of civil servants.
During this period, she observed the work of then-Wayanad Sub-Collector Sriram Sambasiva Rao and the respect he received from local people.
Seeing how an administrator could directly influence people’s lives made a strong impression on her. This experience encouraged Sridhanya to consider the civil services as a career and motivated her to prepare for the UPSC examination.
Friends Helped Her Reach Delhi for UPSC Interview
Clearing the written stage of the UPSC Civil Services Examination was an important milestone, but Sridhanya faced another major challenge when she was shortlisted for the interview.
Her family’s financial condition made it difficult to arrange the money needed to travel to Delhi for the interview.
Her friends stepped in to support her and reportedly collected around ₹40,000 to help cover her travel and other expenses related to the interview.
Their support enabled her to reach Delhi and appear for the crucial final stage of the selection process.
Sridhanya Secured AIR 410 in UPSC 2019
Sridhanya’s hard work eventually paid off. She secured All India Rank 410 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2019 and was selected for the Indian Administrative Service.
Her achievement was particularly significant because she became Kerala’s first tribal woman IAS officer.
An interesting part of her journey was that the officer whose work had inspired her to consider civil services later became someone she had the opportunity to work with during her own administrative career.
From Assistant Collector to District Administration
After entering the IAS, Sridhanya served as an Assistant Collector in Kozhikode, marking an important stage in her administrative career.
Her career subsequently took her to district administration, where she served as District Collector of Kasaragod.
Her journey has included several stages, from growing up with limited financial resources and travelling on foot to school to clearing one of India’s toughest competitive examinations and taking on responsibilities in public administration.
Sridhanya Suresh IAS: Key Facts
- Name: Sridhanya Suresh
- Service: Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
- Batch: 2019
- Cadre: Kerala
- Community: Kurichiya tribal community
- Hometown: Wayanad, Kerala
- UPSC Rank: All India Rank 410
- Childhood challenge: Walked around 4 km to school
- UPSC interview support: Friends reportedly contributed around ₹40,000
- Early administrative experience: Assistant Collector, Kozhikode
- District-level role: District Collector, Kasaragod
Sridhanya Suresh’s Journey Offers Inspiration to Aspirants
Sridhanya’s story highlights the challenges that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds can face while pursuing competitive examinations.
Her journey also underlines the role that family support, friends and determination can play when financial and social barriers stand in the way of a career goal.
From walking 4 km to school to securing a place in the IAS, her journey continues to be cited as an example of perseverance and ambition among civil services aspirants.
