Anu Kumari IAS is an inspiring Indian civil servant who secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017. Hailing from Haryana, she left a successful corporate career to pursue public service and is currently serving as the District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Known for her determination, discipline, and commitment to social welfare, she is also a motivational figure for women and aspiring civil servants across India.
Quick Facts Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anu Kumari |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 2 (All India Rank 2, UPSC CSE 2017) |
| Current Position | District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Batch | 2018 IAS (Kerala Cadre) |
| Age | 39 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Sonipat, Haryana, India |
| Educational Background | B.Sc. (Hons) Physics, MBA Finance & Marketing |
| Optional Subject | Sociology |
| Notable Achievement | Cleared UPSC in 2nd attempt after missing by 1 mark |
Personal Information
Basic Details
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anu Kumari |
| Popular As | Anu Kumari IAS, Anu Bhokar |
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1986 |
| Age | 39 years (as of December 2025) |
| Birthplace | Sonipat, Haryana, India |
| Current Residence | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste/Community | Jat |
| Profession | Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer |
| Cadre | Kerala Cadre (2018 Batch) |
| Marital Status | Married |
Family & Personal Life
Family Background
| Relation | Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Mr. Baljit Singh | HR Department, Jaipur Golden Hospital, Rohini |
| Mother | Mrs. Santro Devi | Homemaker |
| Siblings | 1 Elder Sister, 2 Younger Brothers | – |
| Husband | Varun Dahiya | Businessman (Delhi-based) |
| Son | Rihan Dahiya | Student |
Hometown: Sonipat, Haryana
Anu Kumari IAS comes from a close-knit middle-class family from Sonipat, Haryana. Her father, Baljit Singh, worked in the HR department of Jaipur Golden Hospital in Rohini, while her mother, Santro Devi, is a devoted homemaker. Anu Kumari is the second among four siblings—she has an elder sister and two younger brothers. Her family has been her strongest pillar of support throughout her UPSC journey.
Marriage and Personal Sacrifice
Anu Kumari IAS married Varun Dahiya, a Delhi-based businessman, in 2012. The couple has a son named Rihan Dahiya. One of the most remarkable aspects of Anu Kumari IAS’s journey is the immense personal sacrifice she made during her UPSC preparation. When she decided to prepare for the civil services exam, her son was only 2.5 years old. To create a distraction-free study environment, Anu Kumari IAS made the difficult decision to stay away from her child and husband for nearly two years. She moved to her maternal aunt’s home in Sonipat, where her mother and aunt helped care for her son. This sacrifice exemplifies the determination and commitment that define Anu Kumari IAS.
Physical Statistics
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 50 kg (110 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Build | Slim |
Educational Background
Academic Journey
| Level | Institution | Degree/Field | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schooling | Shiva Shiksha Sadan, Sonipat, Haryana | Secondary Education | – |
| Graduation | Hindu College, Delhi University | B.Sc. (Hons) in Physics | – |
| Post-Graduation | IMT Nagpur | MBA in Finance and Marketing | 2008 |
Anu Kumari IAS’s educational journey began at Shiva Shiksha Sadan School in Sonipat, Haryana, where she was always recognized as an intelligent and dedicated student. She pursued her undergraduate degree in B.Sc. (Honors) in Physics from the prestigious Hindu College, Delhi University. After graduation, Anu Kumari IAS decided to pursue management studies and completed her MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Nagpur, in 2008.
Her diverse educational background—from science to business management—gave Anu Kumari IAS a unique advantage during UPSC preparation, especially while tackling subjects like economics and public administration.
UPSC Journey & Career Timeline
UPSC Preparation Strategy
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Optional Subject | Sociology |
| Coaching | Primarily self-study; joined Sociology Test Series at Nice IAS under Praveen Kishore Sir after prelims |
| Purpose of Coaching | Improved answer writing and conceptual clarity |
| Daily Routine | – Woke up at 4:00 AM – Studied 10–12 hours daily – Listened to All India Radio during morning walks – Watched Rajya Sabha TV during meals – Slept at 10:00 PM – Utilised every moment productively |
UPSC Attempts Timeline
| Year | Attempt | Result | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | First Attempt | Failed Prelims | Missed the cutoff by 1 mark; prepared only 40 days |
| 2017 | Second Attempt | AIR 2 | Secured All India Rank 2; Female Topper |
Attempt-wise Summary
2016 – First Attempt
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Only 40 days |
| Result | Missed the prelims cutoff by 1 mark |
| Reason | Elder brother filled the form; attempted without full preparation |
| Reaction | Did not lose hope; used failure as motivation |
2017 – Second Attempt
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Result | All India Rank 2 (Female Topper) |
| Approach | Hard work + Smart study |
| Impact | Inspired UPSC aspirants, working professionals, and mothers |
Career Postings & Administrative Positions
Chronological Career Timeline
| Year | Position | Location/Department |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | IAS Training** | Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie |
| 2019-2021 | Sub-Collector** | Kerala (Various Districts) |
| 2021 | Best Sub-Collector Award | Kerala State |
| 2022-2024 | Mission Director** | Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) & Kerala State IT Mission |
| July 2024-Present | District Collector | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
Current Position (2024-2025)
Designation: District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala
Key Responsibilities:
- Overall administration and governance of Thiruvananthapuram District
- Chairperson of the Monitoring Committee for resolving rehabilitation issues related to the Vizhinjam Port Project
- Implementation of government schemes and welfare programs
- Revenue administration and disaster management
Major Achievements & Recognition
Awards and Honours
| Year | Award/Recognition | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | UPSC CSE AIR 2 | Secured 2nd rank in All India; Female Topper |
| 2017 | Brand Ambassador | ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign in Sonipat District, Haryana (declared by Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister, Kavita Jain) |
| 2021 | Best Sub-Collector | Kerala State |
| 2024 | Leadership Role | Appointed District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram |
| 2025 | Educational Initiative | Pioneered Kerala’s first comprehensive sexuality education campaign, “Project X” for children’s safety |
Special Distinctions
- Female UPSC Topper 2017: Anu Kumari IAS was the highest-ranking female candidate in UPSC CSE 2017.
- Working Mother’s Success: At 31 years of age with a 4-year-old son, Anu Kumari IAS proved that motherhood and career aspirations can coexist with proper planning and family support.
- Self-Study Success: Anu Kumari IAS achieved her remarkable rank primarily through self-study, demonstrating that dedication matters more than expensive coaching.
- Resilience After Failure: Missing the prelims cutoff by just 1 mark could have been devastating, but Anu Kumari IAS turned failure into fuel for success.
- Age is Just a Number: Becoming an IAS officer at 31 after working for nearly a decade, Anu Kumari IAS inspired many late starters and working professionals.
Financial Information
Salary Structure (IAS Level 10)
| Component | Amount (INR per month) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 |
| HRA (House Rent Allowance) | ₹13,464 |
| DA (Dearness Allowance) | ₹9,537 |
| TA (Travel Allowance) | ₹3,600 |
| DA on TA | ₹612 |
| Total Monthly Salary | ₹83,313 |
Interesting Facts About Anu Kumari IAS
| S.No. | Fact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brother’s Initiative | Her elder brother filled her first UPSC application form without her full consent, motivating her to attempt the exam. |
| 2 | Corporate Experience | Worked nearly 9 years in the corporate sector at ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund (Mumbai) and Aviva Life Insurance (Gurugram); annual salary ₹20 lakh. |
| 3 | The One-Mark Miss | Missed the UPSC prelims cutoff by just one mark in 2016, making her success story even more inspiring. |
| 4 | Maternal Aunt’s Support | Stayed at her maternal aunt’s house in Sonipat for a peaceful preparation environment. |
| 5 | Ultimate Sacrifice | Lived away from her 2.5-year-old son for almost two years during preparation; she considers his sacrifice the biggest contribution. |
| 6 | Job Dissatisfaction | Despite a good job, she felt no internal satisfaction and described the work as mechanical. |
| 7 | No Fixed Plan Initially | She did not follow a rigid study plan; adopted strategies from various toppers based on what felt genuine. |
| 8 | Early Bird | Woke up daily at 4 AM, building her routine around early rising. |
| 9 | Inspiration for Working Mothers | Her journey inspires working mothers and married women preparing for UPSC. |
| 10 | Sociology from Science Background | Though a Physics graduate with an MBA, she chose Sociology as her optional subject. |
| 11 | Brand Ambassador | Became brand ambassador for ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ in Sonipat district after her UPSC success. |
| 12 | Social Media Presence | Active on Twitter (@Anubhokar), sharing updates and motivating aspirants. |
| 13 | Kerala Connection | Serving in Kerala since IAS training and is now an important part of its administrative framework. |
| 14 | Pioneering Initiatives | As District Collector, launched Kerala’s first comprehensive sexuality education campaign. |
| 15 | Best Sub-Collector Award | Received the Best Sub-Collector Award (2021) in Kerala for exceptional administrative work. |
Conclusion: The Legacy of Anu Kumari IAS
Anu Kumari IAS’s journey is a powerful example of resilience and determination. From missing the prelims cutoff by one mark to securing AIR 2, and from balancing motherhood to serving as District Collector, she proves that setbacks cannot stop a committed mind.
She has broken multiple stereotypes—showing that mothers, working professionals, and science graduates can all excel in the UPSC without expensive coaching. Her work in Kerala, especially her progressive and people-centric initiatives, highlights her dedication to meaningful governance.
Her message to aspirants is simple yet profound: your background does not define you; your determination does. Anu Kumari’s legacy continues to inspire countless UPSC aspirants to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with courage and discipline.
Disclaimer: This biography is compiled from publicly available information and media reports. For official information, please refer to government sources or contact the District Collectorate, Thiruvananthapuram.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the current position of Anu Kumari IAS?
Anu Kumari IAS is currently serving as the District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, a position she assumed in July 2024. She also chairs the monitoring committee for the Vizhinjam Port Project rehabilitation issues.
Q2: What rank did Anu Kumari achieve in UPSC?
Anu Kumari IAS secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2017. She was also the female topper of that year.
Q3: Is Anu Kumari IAS married?
Yes, Anu Kumari IAS is married to Varun Dahiya, a Delhi-based businessman. They have a son named Rihan Dahiya.
Q4: What was Anu Kumari IAS’s optional subject?
Anu Kumari IAS chose Sociology as her optional subject for the UPSC examination.
Q5: Did Anu Kumari IAS take coaching for UPSC?
Anu Kumari IAS primarily followed self-study. However, she joined the Sociology test series at Nice IAS under Praveen Kishore Sir after clearing the preliminary exam to improve her answer writing.
Q6: What was Anu Kumari IAS’s educational background?
Anu Kumari IAS completed her B.Sc. (Honors) in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi University, and later pursued an MBA in Finance and Marketing from IMT Nagpur in 2008.
Q7: How many attempts did it take for Anu Kumari to clear UPSC?
Anu Kumari IAS cleared UPSC in her second attempt in 2017. In her first attempt (2016), she missed the prelims cutoff by just one mark.
Q8: What was Anu Kumari IAS doing before UPSC?
Before joining civil services, Anu Kumari IAS worked for nearly 9 years in the corporate sector with companies like ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund and Aviva Life Insurance, earning approximately ₹20 lakh per year.
Q9: What is Anu Kumari IAS’s salary?
As an IAS officer at Level 10 in the pay matrix, Anu Kumari IAS earns approximately ₹83,313 per month, including basic pay and allowances, totaling around ₹10 lakh annually.
Q10: What sacrifice did Anu Kumari IAS make for UPSC preparation?
Anu Kumari IAS stayed away from her 2.5-year-old son and husband for nearly two years during her UPSC preparation. She moved to her maternal aunt’s house in Sonipat to create a distraction-free study environment.
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