Regardless of being the daughter of a cab driver and facing severe financial constraints from an early age, IAS C Vanmathi has had an inspiring journey so far! She is among the very few IAS officers who earned high All India Ranks despite challenging financial circumstances.
A native of Sathyamangalam (Erode district, Tamil Nadu), Vanmathi comes from a very humble background. Her father worked as a car driver. The multitalented bureaucrat did many odd jobs to extend a helping hand to her father.
Despite several obstacles, studies were always her priority. No matter what she did, she made time for her studies.
According to reports, Vanmathi was motivated to join the IAS by two different people.
The first time she knew her call was to become an IAS after she saw a TV program called ‘Ganga Yamuna Saraswati’ in which the lead actress played an IAS officer. She was so inspired by the TV show that she made sure that no matter what she would become an IAS.
She was also inspired by a lady Collector who had visited her native. After completing her post-graduate degree in computer applications, she had to overcome the challenge of marriage and fight against society norms to achieve her dream.
However, her journey wasn’t as easy as one would think. She made it to the interview stage in her very first attempt, but could not clear the exam. She could not clear Prelims in her 2nd attempt, while she got stuck in the Mains in her 3rd attempt. Such setbacks would have demotivated any individual, but Vanmathi carried on with her preparation with determination.
In the meantime, she cleared the bank exam and joined IOB as an Assistant Manager. Balancing her job and preparation, she was finally able to clear the exam in 2015 with AIR 152.
She is currently posted as Joint Commissioner (Enforcement), State Tax in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Vanmathi’s life journey offers a ray of hope for women from all segments of society to dream and work hard to achieve those dreams!