This blog is about the inspiring life of IPS officer Anjana Krishna, whose recent display of courage in Solapur, Maharashtra, has touched hearts all over India. It narrates her journey of becoming an IPS officer—how she overcame obstacles, the strategies she adopted, and the principles that drive her pursuit of public service. It is a tale of determination, self-knowledge, and devotion to public service that is an inspiration to future civil servants.
The Solapur Standoff: A Moment of Integrity
In August 2025, Deputy Superintendent of Police Anjana Krishna faced a defining moment. While leading her team to Kurdu village to confront the widespread practice of illegal sand mining, she received a phone call from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, instructing her to call off the operation.
Despite immense pressure, Officer Anjana Krishna stood her ground. She respectfully insisted that any instructions be communicated through official channels, and having found no legitimate licenses, she persisted in carrying out her legal duty. This act of defiance, captured in a viral video, ignited a national debate about civil service autonomy, women’s leadership, and the courage required to challenge vested interests.
Despite later efforts to discredit her efforts, Anjana remained resolute, becoming an overnight icon of integrity and a source of inspiration.
The Journey of a Determined Dreamer: From Kerala to the IPS
Anjana Krishna’s journey to the IPS was not without twists. A BSc Mathematics graduate, she had first thought of becoming a doctor before deciding that it was not really for her. She then pursued a degree in Journalism, which exposed her to the nuances of society.
It was not the uniform’s charm that attracted her to the IPS, but the deep influence she could make on society. For her, an IPS officer’s duty is to assure security—even at the risk of their own life—and she has already demonstrated this dedication in action.
Her UPSC ordeal was a marathon, consisting of four attempts in five years. Every year had its share of challenges and learning about perseverance. And, at last, in 2022, her hard work came to fruition, and she realized her dream with an All India rank of 355.
Fortune IAS Academy: A Crucible for Growth and Learning
Studying at Fortune IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram marked a significant turning point in her life. She calls it her “alternate college,” an institution where she grew as a student and as an individual. Here, she learned to be more tolerant, to empathize with people, and to appreciate qualitative things over material things.
Cracking the Code: Anjana's UPSC Strategy for Success
Anjana’s success in the UPSC exam can be credited to a combination of effective planning, dedicated effort, and a supportive network. Here are some important aspects of her strategy:
1. The Power of a Partnership: Ardhra Asok
Anjana’s quest was synonymous with that of her roommate, study buddy, and friend, Ardhra Asok (AIR 681 in 2022). They weren’t friends from childhood days, but a strong bond was established during their preparation. Where one lacked expertise, the other filled the gap, offering emotional support along the way. Together, they cracked all three levels of the exam on the fourth attempt, while also maintaining balance with weekly movie nights.
2. Prelims: Quality Over Quantity
Acknowledging her limited retention capacity, Anjana reduced her study material. Her mantra was simple: “Don’t be a note collector.” She emphasized revising limited resources she could retain, promoting an individualized approach suited to each person.
3. Mains: The Art of Answer Writing
Having failed her first prelims, she avoided the mains test series—a decision she would later regret. She found that the mains exam requires good skills in answer writing. On subsequent attempts, she created a peer group committed to writing and critiquing answers daily.
4. Optional: Playing to Her Strengths
She opted for Malayalam Literature as her optional subject and performed very well in it. She had classes from Mini Teacher (Fortune IAS Academy – Malayalam Faculty) and mostly depended upon her class notes for Paper II, adding her own explanations to them. Having a love for reading, she enjoyed the open-ended nature of the literature papers. She also prepared a test series for Paper I from Thulasi Teacher and utilized common notes from toppers.
5. Interview: Confidence Through Practice
She worked closely with her peer group. She also gained great value from DAF (Detailed Application Form)-based sessions with Nandagopan Sir at Fortune IAS Academy. These sessions helped her learn to present her true self before the board.
The Pillars of Her Success: Mindset Over Memorization
The three pillars of her success are discussed below.
Self-Comparison, Not Social Comparison:
Anjana always compared her progress with her own past level, and not with that of others. This kept her going, and she was always hungry for improvement.
Breaking down the Process:
When she answered something incorrectly, she and her study buddy would break down what was going through their heads to figure out where the flaw in reasoning was, instead of just memorizing the right piece of information.
An Unwavering Support Group:
She attributes her “strong and productive peer group” and the inspiring climate of being around people who had cleared the exam to her mental toughness.
Knowing When to Hold On:
Three failures, and she was even about to give up. But thanks to her support system, she agreed to do it “one last time.” She sensibly adds that being able to know when to stop is equally important and supports a balanced approach to the UPSC experience.
A Beacon for Aspirants and a Symbol of Integrity
Anjana Krishna’s tale goes beyond UPSC success. It is a testament to the courage, conviction, and character of the human spirit. It tells us that real strength comes from self-knowledge, building relationships, and sticking to one’s guns.
She remains to serve with honor in Solapur, reminding us all of the most powerful weapon in any officer’s mind: an unshakeable moral compass. Her tale is a shining example of hope and inspiration for future civil servants and everyone who lives by the strength of integrity.
Watch her detailed, heartfelt success story interview here: https://youtu.be/M3iVsPAIPS4?feature=shared