Meet IAS Renu Raj, a doctor who cracked UPSC exam in her first attempt with AIR 2

Everyone knows UPSC exam preparation is one of the toughest tasks. However, if the civil services exam preparation is done the right way, one can successfully crack the exam in less time also.

There are many UPSC aspirants who are confused or don't know the right approach for the examination. For such people, the story of IAS officer Renu Raj can be a source of inspiration, who cracked the UPSC exam on her first attempt and secured All India Rank (AIR)2 in 2014.

Renu Raj was already pursuing a medical career when she decided to give a shot at UPSC. With a few months of preparation, she was able to clear the civil services exam.

Renu Raj, a native of Kerala, did her schooling from St Teresa Higher Secondary School in Kottayam. Her father is a retired government employee and her mother is a housewife. 

After completing her school, Renu pursued medical studies at the Government Medical College, also in Kottayam. She started preparing for the UPSC exam in 2013, alongside her medical studies. In 2014, she cracked the exam on her first attempt securing a rank of two. 

In many interviews, Renu Raj has shared her desire to make an impact on society. Once she mentioned that the reason she chose to leave the medical profession is that as a doctor she would only be able to help 50 to 100 people but as an IAS she would get to help thousands of people. 

According to News18, in an earlier interview, Renu Raj shared her thoughts on changing society, “I have no notion of changing the society overnight."

“I can guarantee you one thing. Nobody will have to approach me for a second time if they have a genuine demand," she added.

Currently, Renu Raj is posted as the District Collector of Alappuzha in Kerala.