“Why should we educate a girl child? She will eventually belong to another family.”
For many years, this question reflected the dominant mindset surrounding women’s education. Conversations once centred on early marriage rather than education, and aspirations were often limited to domestic roles. The shift from discussing when a girl should marry to enabling her with the capability to become independent and powerful has not been a simple or immediate transition.
Yet, the story is changing.
Encouragingly, today’s data tells a very different story. The growing number of women entering the civil services reflects not only women’s empowerment but also the progress of society itself. Every woman who clears the UPSC Civil Services Examination represents a family that chose education over limitation—and a society moving steadily towards equality and inclusive leadership.
A National Shift: Women Rising in UPSC
Over the past decade, women’s participation in the UPSC Civil Services Examination has shown a clear and consistent upward trend.
- In 2010, women constituted around 23% of UPSC aspirants
- By 2021, this figure rose to nearly 33%
- From 2019 onwards, women consistently crossed the 30% participation mark
- In 2023, women accounted for 35% of successful candidates, the highest recorded so far
The impact is even more visible in the final results. The number of women in the final merit list has almost doubled within four years—from about 220 women in 2019 (24%) to 397 women in 2023 (35%).
Importantly, women are no longer just clearing the examination. They are leading it. Over the last decade, six women have secured All India Rank 1, and in certain years, women have occupied up to 60% of the Top 20 ranks.
These numbers signal a powerful shift—from participation to performance, and from aspiration to authority.
Kerala’s Success Story: When Women Lead the Way
Among Indian states, Kerala stands out as a compelling example of women’s success in UPSC. Despite its relatively small population share, Kerala consistently ranks among the top five states in total UPSC selections.
What makes Kerala’s performance remarkable is the dominance of women among its top rank holders:
- Kerala produces 40–54 UPSC selections every year
- In recent years, 70–80% of top-ranked candidates from Kerala have been women
- Historically, Kerala women account for 35% or more of IAS recruits, exceeding the national average
UPSC CSE 2024: A Defining Moment
The 2024 Civil Services Examination results once again highlighted this trend:
- Kerala had six candidates in the Top 100
- Five of them were women, securing ranks 45, 47, 54, 81, and 95
- Malavika G. Nair – AIR 45
- P. Nandana – AIR 47
- Sonnet Jose – AIR 54
- Reenu Anna Mathew – AIR 81
- Devika Priyadarshini – AIR 95
This is not an isolated success. In the 2020 examination, 8 out of 11 Kerala candidates in the Top 100 were women. Year after year, Kerala records one of the highest ratios of women in elite UPSC ranks.
Why Are More Women from Kerala Succeeding?
1. Strong Educational Foundation
Kerala has one of the highest female literacy rates in India (around 92%), creating a solid academic base for competitive examinations like UPSC.
2. Targeted Financial Support
The state has introduced several schemes to support aspirants:
- Civil Service Fee Reimbursement (CSFR) for minority and economically weaker students
- Employability Enhancement Programme (EEP) for OBC aspirants
- Special schemes such as Vidhyateeram for students from disadvantaged communities
These initiatives ease financial pressure and allow aspirants to focus on long-term preparation.
3. Supportive Family and Social Environment
Kerala’s emphasis on education and professional independence has played a crucial role. Families increasingly see civil services as a shared goal, not a personal risk.
Stories like Safna Nazarudeen, the youngest Muslim woman IAS officer from Kerala, and Nisa Unnirajan, who cleared UPSC at the age of 40 while raising two children, reflect a culture that supports women’s ambitions.
4. Access to Quality Coaching Within the State
The availability of high-quality UPSC coaching in Kerala has eliminated the need for migration, making preparation more accessible, flexible, and sustainable—especially for women.
5. Role Models Who Inspire
From Anna Rajam Malhotra, India’s first woman IAS officer from Kerala, to today’s top rankers, women aspirants have strong role models who prove that leadership has no gender.
The Role of Fortune IAS Academy: Shaping Women Leaders
Behind many of these success stories lies the support of institutions that understand both academic demands and real-life responsibilities. Fortune IAS Academy, Thiruvananthapuram, has played a significant role in empowering women aspirants across Kerala.
Scholarships: Removing Financial Barriers
Fortune IAS Academy offers merit-based and need-based scholarships, ensuring that financial limitations do not restrict talent.
These scholarships help:
- Aspirants from rural and underrepresented backgrounds
- Women candidates prepare independently and confidently
- Reduce financial stress and allow complete focus on preparation
Mentorship Beyond Academics
UPSC preparation is not just an academic challenge—it is an emotional journey. Fortune IAS follows a holistic mentoring approach that supports aspirants through:
- Subject guidance, answer writing, and exam strategy
- Managing self-doubt, burnout, and repeated attempts
- Balancing preparation with family responsibilities and work commitments
This empathetic mentoring has been especially impactful for women aspirants.
Empowering Women Through Online Learning
Recognising that many women cannot attend full-time classroom programmes, Fortune IAS Academy offers comprehensive online UPSC batches.
These include:
- Live and recorded classes by experienced faculty
- Structured test series with detailed evaluation
- Continuous mentor interaction and performance tracking
This flexibility has enabled homemakers, working professionals, and aspirants from remote areas to prepare effectively.
A powerful example is Marina Victor, IRS, whose journey from homemaker to Indian Revenue Service officer stands as a testament to what structured guidance, online learning, and determination can achieve.
Creating Administrators, Not Just Rank Holders
Fortune IAS Academy focuses not just on clearing exams, but on shaping ethical, confident, and capable administrators.
Notably, all five women from Kerala who secured Top 100 ranks in UPSC CSE 2024 trained at reputed local academies such as Fortune IAS, highlighting the academy’s contribution to this success.
Women in Power: A Society in Transition
The increasing presence of women in the civil services reflects a deeper transformation in Indian society. Women officers today are leading districts, framing policy, and strengthening governance with empathy and integrity.
From questioning the value of educating a girl child to celebrating her success as a civil servant, the journey has been long—but meaningful.
Kerala’s women aspirants, supported by families and institutions like Fortune IAS Academy, demonstrate how education, mentorship, and opportunity together create powerful leaders.
The future of Indian bureaucracy is not just changing—it is becoming more inclusive, balanced, and increasingly led by women.