Wrote UPSC Mains exam after 17 days of giving birth, became IAS Officer with AIR…,she is…

Meet woman, who appeared for UPSC Mains exam after 17 days of giving birth. Read her success story.

The Civil Services Examination (CSE) is India’s most prestigious competitive examination. It is conducted for recruitment into various civil services across India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and the various central services. The examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam is held through three stages – Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

Who is this officer who wrote UPSC Mains just 17 days after giving birth?

Nonetheless, this civil servant’s success story is nothing short of extraordinary — she took the UPSC Civil Services (Mains) Examination just 17 days after she gave birth in September of last year. Malavika G. Nair, residing in Thiruvalla, secured All India Rank(AIR) 45 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024. Not only did she become the top ranker in the state, but she also became a role model for millions of women.

What was her All India Rank in the UPSC 2024 exam?

This accomplishment is noteworthy on its own, but what makes it exceptional is that Malavika sat the UPSC Mains while being a new mother. She gave birth to her son on September 3 and attempted the Mains just 17 days later on September 20. Speaking of her family, Malavika’s husband is an IPS officer. According to the media reports, Malavika completed her schooling in the state. She earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from BITS Pilani, Goa Campus. Her baby was barely two weeks old when she entered the exam hall—not just to take a test, but to reshape her career path.

While speaking to Indian Masterminds, Malavika stated, “This was my sixth and final attempt. I chose sociology as my optional subject. I did not have the option to choose my graduation subject, as it is not in the list offered by UPSC. I had decided that I would give the attempt everything I could – despite the odds.”

She had already passed the UPSC exam in 2020 and was working in the Revenue Department, Indian Revenue Service, as the Deputy Commissioner. Meanwhile, Malavika wanted to join an all-India service. Her family was the real unsung hero. Her mother, a gynecologist, doubled up as both a doctor and a mother, securing Malavika’s safe delivery and caring for the newborn so Malavika could prepare for one of the country’s most demanding examinations.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Malavika G. Nair, residing in Thiruvalla, ranked 45th in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.
2. She gave birth to her son on September 3 and attempted the Mains just 17 days later on September 20.
3. Malavika is an IRS officer from the 2020 batch.
4. Malavika’s husband is an IPS officer.

Malavika’s father, K.G. Ajith Kumar, is a retired AGM from Kerala Financial Corporation. This is not the first time Malavika has made her mark in the UPSC exams. In 2019, she secured the 118th rank, and in 2022, she achieved the 172nd rank. Her husband, Nandagopan, reportedly cleared the UPSC in 2022 with AIR 233.

In 2024, she secured an All India Rank(AIR) 45 in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2024. She secured 1000 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2024. She scored 835 marks in the written exam and 165 marks in the personality test/interview round.