Dr. Renu Raj: From surgeon to IAS topper

July 9, 2025 Unknown Wizards Valli Sarvani

The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is considered one of the toughest exams in the world, demanding intense dedication, focus, and resilience.

Each year, lakhs of aspirants appear for it with hopes of joining elite services like IAS, IPS, or IFS, but only a few succeed.

Among those who cracked it in their first attempt is Dr. Renu Raj, who secured All India Rank 2 in UPSC CSE 2014, proving that determination can triumph over all odds.

Born in 1987 in Changanassery, Kottayam district of Kerala, Renu Raj comes from a humble background.

Her father was a KSRTC bus conductor, and her mother is a homemaker. A bright student since childhood, Renu completed her schooling in her hometown.

Driven by a passion for medicine, she pursued an MBBS from the Government Medical College, Kottayam.

After graduation, she began working as a surgeon at ASI Hospital in Kalluvathukkal, Kollam district.

However, alongside her medical career, she nurtured a long-standing dream to become an IAS officer.

Renu Raj began her UPSC preparation in December 2013 while continuing her full-time job as a doctor.

She followed a strict schedule, studying 3 to 6 hours daily, maintaining consistency and discipline.

Renu Raj believed in self-study but also joined coaching to ensure comprehensive preparation.

She chose Malayalam Literature as her optional subject. Her preparation strategy included:

Reading newspapers regularly
Taking mock tests
Practising answer writing

Her efforts paid off when, at the age of 27, she cleared UPSC CSE 2014 in her very first attempt, achieving the second highest rank in the country.

Since her selection, IAS Dr. Renu Raj has served in several key administrative roles, including Sub-Collector and District Collector in different parts of Kerala.

Her journey continues to inspire aspirants across India, proving that with hard work, consistency, and a clear goal, anything is possible.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on April 05, 2017