Perseverance pays, says UPSC AIR 2 rank holder from Madurai, who took 7 years to clear her exams
Chennai (PTI): A gruelling seven-year struggle marked by a disciplined lifestyle and a refusal to yield to setbacks has culminated in a historic achievement for Rajeshwari Suve M, who secured the second rank in the UPSC civil services examination 2025.
For Rajeshwari, the journey to the top of the All India Rank (AIR) list was a marathon of persistence that began shortly after her graduation in 2017. While some candidates find success early, she navigated nearly a decade of preparation, eventually balancing her UPSC goals with her current role as a Deputy Collector trainee in the Tamil Nadu government.
"It has been a long journey for me. It had its own challenges, but I had to address the faults I made in previous attempts," Rajeshwari told PTI Videos.
She emphasised that a candidate must be willing to scrutinise their own failures to move forward.
"I made a SWOT analysis for my own tests and performance. It needs persistence, and family support was the main pillar for me," added the rank holder.
Her father, R Murugadoss, who runs an electrical business and works as an LIC agent in Vadipatti in Madurai, said he only raised his children with the expectation that they remain honest and contribute positively to society.
It is his wife, Dr S Nagarani, a mathematics professor, who guided Rajeshwari and brought her to this point, he acknowledged.
But, ultimately, the credit should go to Rajeshwari, he insisted. "My daughter has utilised the opportunity we gave her well. It is my desire that she should continue to be honest and do good for this society," Murugadoss told PTI Videos.
During her preparation, Rajeshwari said she adopted a lifestyle where, apart from time spent eating and sleeping, she was a full-time student.
She cautioned future aspirants against the "n number of sources available online" which often act as distractions.
"We have to stick to the basics like NCERTs, and we have to be very prompt in giving test series, evaluating it, and getting feedback from the faculties," she said.
Rajeshwari also credited the Tamil Nadu government’s 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme as a major catalyst during her journey, particularly after she had shifted focus toward state services.
She said she received financial assistance and residency support during the prelims, mains, and interview stages.
It is also while training for state services that she realised that her ultimate goal remains rooted in public service, said Rajeshwari.
"My goal is to deliver government services in a good manner to all people, even to those at the very edge of society," she added.
The UPSC results declared on Friday recommended 958 candidates for appointment, with Anuj Agnihotri from Rajasthan taking the top spot and Akansh Dhull from Chandigarh securing the third rank.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Nashik court sends ‘godman’ Kharat to 3-day police custody in 7th sexual exploitation case
Nashik (PTI): A court in Maharashtra's Nashik has remanded self-styled astrologer-cum-godman Ashok Kharat to police custody till April 29 in the seventh case of sexual exploitation registered against him.
Kharat, a former Merchant Navy officer arrested on March 18, is accused of sexually exploiting several women and indulging in large-scale financial fraud by claiming to have divine powers and knowledge of black magic.
In the seventh case, Kharat sexually exploited a married woman who had approached him in search of solutions to her family problems.
ALSO READ: ED cracks down on suspected interstate liquor racket, raids 9 sites in Arunachal
The accused allegedly gave the woman something to drink, sexually assaulted her while her husband sat outside his office and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about it.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing into 12 cases of sexual exploitation and financial fraud registered against Kharat in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts, on Sunday filed a request application in the court demanding his custody in the seventh case.
Kharat was produced in court for a virtual hearing in the seventh case on Monday.
The prosecution demanded six-day police custody for Kharat, citing the discovery of a locker in Kharat's house during the investigation, from which the police recovered two blank cheques and other documents, all of which have to be probed.
The court agreed to the prosecution's demand and remanded Kharat to three-day police custody till April 29 in the case.
Kharat has been at the centre of a political firestorm, as he was well-connected, and photographs of him with political leaders and other important members of society have been surfacing in mainstream and social media since his arrest.
