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Her UPSC journey included success, setbacks and a missed prelims, but she never stopped trying. Years later, persistence brought her closer to her IAS dream
Kajal Raju’s story reflects the reality that success is often shaped by persistence as much as talent, and that setbacks need not define the outcome of a long journey.
Success Story: For many UPSC aspirants, clearing the Civil Services Examination once would be the culmination of years of hard work. For Kajal Raju, however, success was only one step towards a bigger dream. Despite securing a government service in her first attempt, facing repeated setbacks and balancing a demanding job with preparation, the Kerala native persevered until she achieved All India Rank (AIR) 167, bringing her closer to her ambition of becoming an IAS officer.
Kajal Raju hails from Nileshwar in Kerala’s Kasaragod district and was born with a rare congenital condition known as Phocomelia Syndrome, due to which her right forearm did not develop.
Rather than allowing the condition to shape her future, Kajal focused on her education from an early age and built a reputation for perseverance and self-belief. She has consistently maintained that determination and hard work matter far more than physical limitations.
Kajal pursued higher education at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, where she completed an integrated Master’s degree in Development Studies.
It was during her years at IIT Madras that she developed an interest in the Civil Services. Inspired by the prospect of working for society and contributing to nation-building, she decided to prepare for the UPSC examination after completing her studies.
Kajal’s preparation yielded results quickly. In her very first attempt at the Civil Services Examination, she secured AIR 910 and was selected for the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS). For many candidates, securing a place in the Civil Services would have marked the end of the journey. Kajal, however, had set her sights on the Indian Administrative Service and chose to continue her preparation.
The path to her goal was far from straightforward.
In subsequent attempts, her rank declined and, on one occasion, she was unable to clear the preliminary examination. Instead of viewing these setbacks as failures, Kajal treated them as opportunities to reassess her preparation and improve her strategy.
After every attempt, she reviewed her mistakes, refined her approach and returned with renewed determination.
Her challenge was made more demanding by her professional commitments. After joining the Indian Railway Management Service, Kajal had to undergo training while continuing her UPSC preparation. Managing official responsibilities alongside a rigorous study schedule required discipline and careful time management.
Despite the pressures of work and training, she continued to devote every available opportunity to her studies.
Years of persistence eventually paid off.
In her fourth attempt at the Civil Services Examination, Kajal secured AIR 167, a significant improvement that brought her much closer to her long-standing aspiration of joining the Indian Administrative Service.
The achievement marked the culmination of years of preparation, resilience and unwavering commitment to her goal.
Kajal Raju’s journey stands out not simply because she cleared one of India’s most competitive examinations, but because she chose not to settle after her first success. Born with a physical challenge, navigating the highs and lows of the UPSC process and balancing preparation with a professional career, she continued to pursue her ambitions despite repeated obstacles.
Her story reflects the reality that success is often shaped by persistence as much as talent, and that setbacks need not define the outcome of a long journey.
Kasaragod, India, India
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