Exclusive Interview: The Success Story Of Ajay R Raj In UPSC Exam
Ajay R Raj, a remarkable individual whose journey is as inspiring as it is determined. A visually impaired college teacher from Kerala, Ajay has secured the 730th rank in the 2024 UPSC Civil Services Examination—an extraordinary milestone that stands as a testament to his resilience and academic brilliance. An alumnus of Delhi’s St. Stephens College and a faculty member in the English Department at Christ College, Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, his success has drawn widespread acclaim, including praise from Kerala’s Higher Education Minister, Dr R. Bindu.
Here are excerpts from the conversation Timeline held with Ajay R Raj:
Q: What was your support mechanism?
A: I had a vibrant support system in Trivandrum. It felt like a family. The academy where I studied was founded by one of my brother’s friends, who also acted as my local guardian during my Class 11 and 12. I stayed with him and was directly guided by the founder of the academy. That kind of mentorship is a great support during preparation.
People used to wait for his feedback on their answer scripts. I also had a flatmate who would sit with me late at night, review my answers, correct me, and give me clarity. So, Lead IAS in Trivandrum was my academy, and Anirudh Sunny was my mentor and guide. I would say friends, the academy, and family were my support system.
Q: How long were you preparing for the civil services? Did you ever doubt yourself or consider giving up, given how competitive it is?
A: Absolutely. The doubts were always there, and they only disappeared when I saw my name on the rank list. From the first day of preparation until the results were announced, I was full of doubt.
I often turned to my friends for clarity. They understood me and could think from a third-person perspective. There were many moments when I doubted myself and questioned whether I was on the right path. But my friends gave me the energy to move forward. They’d remind me not to overthink and to stay on track. That clarity and support helped reduce my anxiety.
Q: Listening to your story, many might get inspired. Do you have a message for aspirants who are preparing for the exam?
A: Yes, absolutely. My first message is that you have to be realistic. As it’s often said, “Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.” A friend of mine, who cleared after five attempts, had posted this. During those five years, he was mocked, but once he cleared, everyone celebrated him.
Ajay R Raj
Just because someone is in the rank list doesn’t mean those who didn’t make it are any less capable. Sometimes luck favours some people. Nobody is a superhuman. Civil services is a risky process—if you don’t clear Mains, you have to start again. So aspirants should give themselves one or two full attempts and then start considering a plan B.
If someone is genuinely passionate, one or two years is enough for good preparation. They should then assess their weak areas while also working on alternative options. Civil services is one opportunity, not the end of the world.
Q: Do you plan to improve your rank?
A: Yes, definitely. A friend told me to take a couple of days to just cherish the moment. This comes after years of effort. But yes, if I have to improve, I will.
There’s always scope for improvement. This is not the end. I’ll wait for my scorecard to understand what went wrong, what worked, and what areas I need to improve. Then I can make a realistic analysis and move forward.
Q: How do you feel now, after years of hard work and finally making it?
A: I’m happy. For me, it’s hard to quit something once I’ve started. If I give up, it stays in my mind as an unfinished plot.
I’m grateful. It’s a prestigious examination, and clearing it gives you confidence to explore your life more freely. These are the two emotions I have right now—happiness and gratitude.
Q: You were a rank holder in Kerala Plus Two. Has being studious made this journey easier for you?
A: I did have the habit of studying. But I had to unlearn many things. Coming from a literature background, I was more used to analytical thinking than factual learning. UPSC requires a balance, especially in exams.
For interviews, my English background helped. So, it was a mix of unlearning, relearning, and continuing what I already knew from my graduation.
Q: You chose sociology as your optional. Why?
A: Yes, I love sociology. Even the English syllabus at DU is interdisciplinary—it includes Indian and South Asian literature, with a lot of sociological analysis. That’s where my interest in sociology started.
In my first two attempts, I chose Malayalam literature because it had a lighter syllabus, and people were scoring high. But I faced limitations with that subject. Then I switched to sociology.
I studied at Shankar IAS Academy in Chennai, under Rajitha ma’am, who has 18 years of experience. I got the right support system there, and since I liked the subject, it felt like the right move.
Ajay being felicitated at him home by CPI Calicut district council
Q: Aspirants usually take three approaches—self-study, online resources, or coaching. What do you recommend?
A: There’s no one-size-fits-all method. It depends on the individual. If someone is naturally analytical and disciplined, they can manage with self-study. But average students often need coaching.
Academies help track trends in question papers. For example, modern history was a major area till 2021, but now it has fewer questions. If an aspirant doesn’t know this, they might waste time.
Mentors also help with answer writing—they’ve guided many toppers and can provide insights we won’t get from only evaluating our own work. So, it really depends on each person’s capacity.
Q: This was your fourth attempt. Some people withdraw after multiple tries. What’s your advice to them?
A: I don’t see withdrawal as negative. You need to know when to stop. Otherwise, it’s like a never-ending game. We often talk about the “sunk cost” fallacy—after spending years, you feel one more try will do it, then another, and so on.
If it’s not working and you feel this is not your path, you can move on. Many people discover new interests through UPSC prep. For example, some get into disaster management and pursue it at TISS or elsewhere.
UPSC is just one option. There’s a whole world of opportunities out there. If you find a new direction, go for it.
