IAS 2013 Topper - HARITHA V KUMAR

She encountered many hurdles one after the other in fulfilling her dreams. Sometimes she lagged behind just by 18 marks, at other times not being able to speak English fluently posed problems. Despite all this, strong determination and self-confidence led 24 years Harita V Kumar to top the Civil Services Examination 2012.

About her success Harita says that she wanted to become a civil servant since childhood. Soon after taking her engineering degree, she started preparing for this examination. Not getting success in the mains by just 18 marks did not deter her in anyway. In fact, this gave boost to her confidence that she can clear the examination and that she can fulfill the dream which she saw as a child. 

About her experience in the interview she says that she was asked to tell four problems and their solutions that India is currently facing. She pointed out Corruption, Hunger, Issue of women’s security and Unemployment among the educated as major problems of the nation. She suggested that transparency should be brought through information communication technology as a solution to these problems. In her view this was her best answer. 

About her studies she says that she did her schooling from a Malayalam medium school in Tiruvantpuram. After her schooling she studied electronics and communication from a government engineering college. 

In 2007, after her B.Tech she started preparing for IAS. She chose Economics and Malayalam literature as her main subjects. She says, ‘I had interest in economics. This subject underlines all the problems of Indian society and I wanted to study this in detail.' 

In her first attempt in 2009, she could not clear her mains exam. After this she realized that she had to put in more effort to succeed. At leisure time she loves to read books specially Khalil Gibran books. She says,' From time to time I also watch Malayalam movies.' She tells that two years back in 2010 she chose IRS but she wished to be an IAS at heart. She felt that IRS would not give her opportunity for public serving as would IAS. So, once again she set herself to achieve her goal. Making use of proper facilities and guidance she started preparing. Finally she achieved success. Friends also helped her in making her dream come true. 

Before joining IRS a major obstacle was her command over English. She says that because of her improper communication skill she failed and was rejected twice. But after joining IRS Academy she continuously conversed in English with her friends and this gave her an opportunity to improve her English and communication skill. This played an important role in her selection.