Donuru Ananya Reddy, hailing from the remote village of Ponnekal in Telangana’s Mahabubnagar district, defied the odds by securing the third rank in the highly competitive UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023. At just 22 years old, her achievement stands as a testament to her grit, perseverance, and dedication to public service.
Ananya Reddy’s journey is remarkable not only for her young age but also for her unconventional approach to exam preparation. Apart from Anthropology, she opted for self-study, eschewing coaching classes for other subjects. Her success underscores the importance of determination and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges.
Raised in a middle-class family, Ananya pursued her schooling in Mahabubnagar before moving to Hyderabad for higher education. After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Geography from Miranda House College, Delhi University, she relocated to New Delhi with the singular goal of cracking the Civil Services.
“Despite her youth, Ananya’s performance in the interview stage surpassed expectations, propelling her to the third position nationwide. Reflecting on her achievement, she expressed gratitude for being the first in her family to enter the Civil Services, fulfilling a lifelong ambition rooted in her desire to serve society.”
Ananya’s preparation strategy, characterized by rigorous self-study for 12-14 hours daily, exemplifies her determination and discipline. Beyond academics, she is passionate about cricket and aspires to mentor and inspire future generations through teaching.
Ananya Reddy’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants across the country, highlighting the transformative power of perseverance, dedication, and self-belief in pursuing one’s dreams against all odds.
