Meet Sreeja From Kerala: Daily Wage Worker’s Daughter Secures UPSC Rank 57 In First Attempt
Thiruvananthapuram: Sreeja JS, a native of Naruvamoodu village on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, has secured All India Rank (AIR) 57 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, clearing the exam in her first attempt.
Sreeja comes from a modest family background. Her father, Jayakumar, works as a daily wage labourer and often travels long distances by bicycle to construction sites in search of work.
According to the family, he sometimes travels nearly 40 kilometres a day and earns around ₹1,100 depending on the availability of work. Despite limited income, the family prioritised their children’s education and supported Sreeja’s civil services preparation.
To fund her studies, the family reportedly took loans and pledged gold ornaments, including her mother’s mangalsutra. Relatives also helped the family at different stages of her preparation.
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Sreeja completed her postgraduate degree in Political Science from Madras Christian College. During her studies, she developed a strong interest in international relations and diplomacy, which later shaped her ambition to join the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
She began preparing for the civil services examination in 2024. As part of her preparation routine, Sreeja wrote her goal on a piece of paper and pasted it on the wall of her home.
The note read “Sreeja JS IFS – UPSC 2025,” which she says served as a reminder of her target during her preparation.
Sreeja JS did her civil services preparation with coaching support from Fortune IAS Academy in Thiruvanathapuram.
According to mentors at the institute, she stood out from the very beginning.
Achuth Sir from the academy recalled his first interaction with her, saying he noticed a quiet clarity in the way she spoke about the UPSC Civil Services Examination and a sincere, focused approach towards preparation.
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He said her discipline and consistency were visible even in the early stages of training. As Sreeja secured All India Rank 57 in UPSC CSE 2025, her mentors said the achievement reflects the dedication and determination she maintained throughout her preparation.
Her mother, Sheeja Kumari, holds a postgraduate degree in history and had earlier appeared in the rank list for a lower division clerk post in the state water authority, but she did not receive the appointment.
According to the family, her mother strongly encouraged Sreeja to pursue higher education and prepare for the civil services.
Sreeja also said she had developed the habit of writing her goals from a young age. During her school years, she used the same method to set academic targets, which she says helped her stay focused during her UPSC preparation.
Her younger brother, Jyothish Kumar, is currently pursuing a college education.
The results of the Civil Services Examination 2025 were announced by the Union Public Service Commission on Friday. Candidates are selected for various services, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) based on their rank and preference.
