UPSC results 2017: Anu Kumari from Haryana, mother of a 4-yr-old, gets 2nd rank in 2nd attempt

Anu Kumari, who studied at Hindu College, Delhi, and IMT Nagpur, has a four-year-old son

Anu Kumari, 31, form Haryana’s Sonepat district, secured the 2nd rank in the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) Civil Services exam 2017, the results of which were declared on Friday. Anu is married and has a four-year-old son.

A Physics Honours graduate from Hindu College, Delhi University, and an MBA from IMT Nagpur, Anu was working for a private company for nine years before she decided to follow her dreams.

“My job was good, but there was no internal satisfaction. It all became so mechanical that at one point I could not take it anymore. So I decided to quit and take up something through which I can contribute to society,” she told the Hindustan Times.

It was around two years ago that Anu left her last employer, Aviva Life Insurance, to start preparing for UPSC civil services exam. She gave her first attempt in 2016 with two months of preparation, but missed making the cut in the prelims by just one mark.

“Technically this was my second attempt, but I consider it as my first only because I could not prepare at all last time. I’m glad that I cleared it this time or next year would have been my last attempt due to the age limit,” she said.

The 31-year-old said she wants to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and make a change in the lives of women and children. “I come from Haryana, where we see regularly the regressive nature of society and increasing crimes against women. Since I have got this amazing opportunity now, I would like to make most of it and work on women’s empowerment,” she said.

Asked about her success mantra, Anu sane one must keep reminding herself about her goal. “I did not take any coaching. I studied myself and ensured I don’t lose focus,” she shared.

Anu’s husband is a businessman.