Anjana Krishna IPS: Inspiring Journey from UPSC Aspirant to Respected Kerala Police Officer

Detailed Biography: The Complete Narrative

Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings in Vilavoorkal

Born on April 17, 1990, in the village of Vilavoorkal, Malayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, Anjana Krishna IPS grew up in circumstances that millions of Indian families would recognize—modest means, hardworking parents, and emphasis on education as the path to a better life.

Her father, V.S. Biju, ran a small clothing shop in Thiruvananthapuram. It wasn’t a big business, but it provided for the family’s basic needs. Her mother, L. Seena, worked as an Upper Division Typist at the Vanchiyoor District Court. Every day, she would type legal documents, court orders, and judgments, perhaps never imagining that her daughter would one day uphold these very laws as a police officer.

The family lived simply. There were no luxuries, no connections in bureaucracy, no shortcuts to success. What they had was strong values—honesty, hard work, education, and self-respect. These values, instilled by her parents, would become the foundation of Anjana’s character.

Growing up in Kerala, a state with high literacy rates and strong emphasis on education, Anjana was encouraged to study well. But like many middle-class families, her parents worried about finances, about her future, about whether their limited resources would be enough to give her the opportunities she deserved.

Chapter 2: Education and Early Dreams

Anjana attended St. Mary’s Central School in Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram. She was a good student—focused, disciplined, and curious. The school environment, teachers, and competitive atmosphere shaped her academic foundation.

For her undergraduate studies, she enrolled in HHMSPB NSS College for Women in Neeramankara, Thiruvananthapuram, pursuing a B.Sc. in Mathematics. Mathematics—the subject of logic, problem-solving, and precision—suited her analytical mind.

But somewhere during these years, a dream took root. Perhaps inspired by news of IAS and IPS officers making a difference, or influenced by Kerala’s culture of civil services aspiration, Anjana decided she wanted to serve the nation in uniform. She wanted to be more than just a mathematics graduate; she wanted to be someone who could create real impact.

After graduation, she took an interesting detour—an internship as a cub reporter in a prominent Malayalam daily. This experience proved invaluable. It taught her to observe society closely, understand current affairs, communicate effectively, and develop the thick skin needed to face criticism. Little did she know these skills would serve her well in both UPSC preparation and police service.

Chapter 3: The UPSC Dream Begins

The decision was made. Anjana would prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. For someone from her background, this was both exciting and daunting. The UPSC is known to be one of the toughest examinations in the world. It demands years of preparation, financial resources for books and coaching, and the mental strength to handle failure.

She enrolled at Fortune IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram. The coaching institute provided structure, study materials, current affairs updates, and a competitive environment. More importantly, it connected her with fellow aspirants who shared her dreams.

Her strategy was taking shape:

• Optional subject: Malayalam Literature (leveraging her native language strength)
• Medium: English (for broader comprehension and national-level competitiveness)
• Approach: Quality over quantity

But choosing Malayalam Literature as optional while writing the exam in English was a calculated risk. It required managing two languages and ensuring neither suffered.

Chapter 4: The Painful Failures

First Attempt: She appeared for the examination with hope and preparation. But UPSC has its own ways of humbling aspirants. She didn’t clear the Preliminary examination or perhaps failed at Mains. The disappointment was crushing, but she decided to try again.

Second Attempt: Armed with lessons from the first failure, she appeared again. This time, perhaps she cleared Prelims but couldn’t make it to the Interview stage, or failed at Mains again. Two failures. The pressure was mounting—from society, from well-wishers asking “what next?”, from self-doubt.

Third Attempt: The third attempt is often considered the last realistic chance by many aspirants. She prepared harder, revised more, but UPSC remained unconquered. Three failures. At this point, most people give up. Parents start suggesting marriage or alternative careers. Friends begin moving ahead in different paths. The loneliness of preparation becomes suffocating.

Anjana was at a crossroads. Should she try once more or accept that UPSC might not be her destiny? The financial strain on her family, the emotional toll, the opportunity cost—everything weighed heavily.

Chapter 5: The Fourth Attempt—Now or Never

She decided to give it “one last shot.” But this time, her approach changed fundamentally. Perhaps the three failures had taught her what mere success never could.

She found a study partner—Ardhra Asok, who was also on her fourth attempt. They became roommates, study buddies, and emotional support systems for each other. Where one lacked expertise, the other filled the gap.

The New Strategy:

1. Minimalist Material: “Don’t be a note collector.” She drastically reduced her study material, focusing only on what she could realistically revise multiple times.
2. Deep Analysis: When she got answers wrong in practice tests, she and Ardhra would dissect their thought processes to find the flaw in reasoning, not just memorize correct answers.
3. Self-Comparison: Instead of comparing herself with toppers or other aspirants, she tracked her own improvement—comparing today’s Anjana with yesterday’s Anjana.
4. Balanced Life: Despite intense preparation, they maintained work-life balance with weekly movie nights. This prevented burnout and kept them mentally fresh.
5. Peer Support: They studied in an environment of people who had cleared the exam, which built mental toughness and provided practical insights.
6. Knowing Limits: She accepted that there’s only so much one can retain and focused on maximizing that, rather than trying to know everything.

Chapter 6: Success at Last—AIR 355

UPSC CSE 2022 results were declared in 2023. After years of struggle, three painful failures, countless moments of doubt, and immense family sacrifice:

Anjana Krishna V.S. had secured All India Rank 355.

Her study partner Ardhra Asok had also cleared with AIR 681. Both had succeeded in their fourth attempt—a testimony to the power of perseverance and strategic preparation.

The joy was indescribable. Her parents, who had supported her through thick and thin, could finally breathe. The small shop owner father and the typist mother had raised an IPS officer. The village of Vilavoorkal celebrated. Fortune IAS Academy celebrated. Her story became inspiration for thousands of struggling aspirants.

She had chosen Indian Police Service, allocated Maharashtra cadre. A girl from Kerala would now serve in Maharashtra—a beautiful aspect of the civil services that connects India.

Chapter 7: Transformation at SVPNPA

In 2023, Anjana Krishna joined the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad as part of the 2023 IPS batch. The academy, nestled in the outskirts of Hyderabad, is where civil services aspirants transform into uniformed officers.

The training was rigorous:

Pre-dawn mornings with physical training, running, drills. The soft hands that once held pens now learned to handle weapons.

Academic sessions on Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Evidence Act, police administration, human rights, forensic science. The mathematics graduate now became a student of law and order.

Practical training at police stations, exposure to investigation techniques, learning to handle crowds, managing crisis situations. Theory met reality.

Outdoor training including horse riding, adventure activities, building physical endurance and mental toughness.

District attachments where probationers work in actual police stations, experiencing the challenges of law enforcement firsthand.

The academy also instilled values—integrity, courage, compassion, and service above self. The training prepared her not just professionally but also mentally for the challenges ahead.

Chapter 8: First Posting—Reality of Police Work

After completing training, Anjana Krishna IPS received her first posting in Maharashtra. As a probationary officer, she worked in various capacities, learning the ropes of actual policing—very different from academy training.

She experienced:

• The long hours and unpredictable schedule of police work
• Dealing with crime victims and their trauma
• Managing law and order situations
• Coordinating with other government departments
• Handling public grievances and complaints
• The frustration of bureaucratic delays
• The satisfaction of solving cases and helping citizens

These formative months shaped her understanding of ground realities. She learned that policing isn’t just about enforcing laws; it’s about being a bridge between government and people, ensuring justice, and protecting the vulnerable.

Chapter 9: DSP Karmala—Taking Charge

Her posting as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Karmala, Solapur district, gave her independent charge of a sub-division. This was a significant responsibility for a young officer.

Karmala is a rural taluka in Solapur district, with its own unique challenges:

• Agricultural economy with periodic droughts
• Law and order issues typical of rural areas
• Need for community policing
• Environmental challenges including illegal mining
• Limited resources and infrastructure

As DSP, she was responsible for:

• Maintaining law and order in the entire sub-division
• Supervising police stations under her jurisdiction
• Investigating serious crimes
• Coordinating with district administration
• Implementing government policies
• Addressing public grievances

She brought her characteristic dedication and integrity to the role, earning respect from her team and the community.

Chapter 10: August 31, 2025—The Day That Changed Everything

It was a routine day that would become anything but routine. Complaints had been received about illegal soil excavation in Kurdu village, Madha taluka, in her jurisdiction. As the DSP, it was her duty to investigate and take appropriate action.

Anjana Krishna IPS led a police team to the site. What they found confirmed the complaints—excavation work was ongoing, allegedly for road construction, but without proper permissions according to environmental and land laws.

Villagers claimed they had Gram Panchayat approval, but when asked to produce official documents, none could be provided. Following standard procedure, Anjana decided to stop the work and take enforcement action.

Then came the phone call that would change her life.

A local NCP party worker, Baba Jagtap, made a call and handed his phone to the DSP. On the other end was a powerful voice—someone claiming to be Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The Voice: “Suno, mai deputy chief minister bol raha hu aur aapko aadesh deta hu ki vo rokwao” (Listen, I am the deputy chief minister and giving you the order to stop it).

For many officers, this would have been a moment of terror. A direct call from the Deputy CM himself, ordering her to stop the enforcement action. The political pressure couldn’t be more direct or more powerful.

But Anjana Krishna IPS remained calm. Years of UPSC preparation had taught her analytical thinking. Her training had taught her procedures. Her values taught her integrity.

She had several concerns:

1. Identity Verification: How could she be sure this was actually the Deputy CM? Anyone could claim to be anyone on phone.
2. Procedure: Even if it was the Deputy CM, does a phone call override established legal procedures?
3. Documentation: If there was indeed proper authorization, why wasn’t it shown on site?
4. Responsibility: As the officer in charge, she was responsible for following the law.

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