Daijiworld Media Network - Trivandrum
Trivandrum, Apr 7: The journey to the civil services is often described as a marathon of faith and resilience. For Reenu Anna Mathew, who secured All India Rank (AIR) 81 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024, the path to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) was marked by years of intense preparation, repeated setbacks, and an unexpected comeback.
Reenu’s dream was born in 2017 during her time at St Stephen’s College, Delhi. She credits those formative years for developing the critical thinking and articulation skills necessary for the high-stakes examination. However, her first attempt in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, ended in failure at the preliminary stage due to poor time management and lack of revision.
Turning point in Trivandrum: Seeking a more structured environment, Reenu moved to Trivandrum, Kerala. The shift proved pivotal as she immersed herself in rigorous practice, solving a vast number of mock tests and mastering elimination techniques. While she successfully cleared the Prelims on her second attempt, she faced a heartbreaking setback when she failed to qualify after the interview stage.
The following year brought her to what she describes as "rock bottom." Despite waking up at 4:30 am and dedicating her entire day to studies, she failed the Prelims once again. Distraught, she briefly gave up on her IFS dream and began preparing for other competitive exams while working part-time as an economics teacher.
The unexpected comeback: In 2024, Reenu decided to appear for the exam one last time with a renewed perspective. Entering the hall with "zero expectations," she found a quiet confidence that carried her through. After clearing the Prelims, she approached the Mains with laser focus, practicing answer writing so relentlessly that she had to wrap her fingers in bandages to manage the physical strain of writing 50 pages per paper.
The final stage of her journey felt like a homecoming as she returned to Delhi for her interview. She described the experience as a "warm conversation," a stark contrast to the pressure of previous years.
Results and reflection: The results, released on April 22, 2025, confirmed her success with AIR 81, finally securing her a spot in the Indian Foreign Service.
Reflecting on her journey, Reenu emphasized that failures are not final but lessons in disguise. "The UPSC journey is not a sprint; it’s a marathon of faith, effort, and inner strength," she said. Her story serves as a testament to perseverance, proving that even when an aspirant feels like giving up, focused preparation and resilience can lead to a miracle.