In a small, quiet house in Naruvamoodu, a village near Thiruvananthapuram, the walls tell a story that the nation is finally reading. These aren’t walls decorated with expensive art or modern paint; they were, until recently, bare and unpainted. But for Sreeja JS, these walls were the blueprint of her future.
On 7 March 2026, the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 results were announced, and a 24-year-old girl from Kerala emerged as a beacon of hope. Securing All India Rank 57 on her very first attempt, Sreeja has paved her way towards her lifelong dream: the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
The Habit of a Lifetime: Writing Her Own Destiny
While “manifestation” is a trending buzzword today, for Sreeja, it was a raw, childhood instinct. She didn’t follow a trend; she followed a habit. Since she was a young student, Sreeja had a practice of pinning her goals in the most visible parts of her surroundings. She believed that if she could see the destination every single day, her feet would find the way.
When she began her UPSC journey, she and her father, Jayakumar, personally whitewashed her study corner to improve the lighting. On that fresh white surface, she didn’t just write notes—she wrote her future. In bold letters, she inscribed: “SREEJA JS IFS.” She lived with that vision for two years. Every morning it was her command, and every night it was her promise.
A Foundation Built on Sacrifice
Sreeja’s success is a family victory. Her father, a daily wage labourer to earn the money needed for his children’s, never let financial constraints dim her brilliance. Her mother, Sheejakumari—a postgraduate in history who once harboured dreams of government service—saw her own unfulfilled ambitions take flight through her daughter.
The journey was not without its hurdles. To fund her education at the prestigious Madras Christian College (MCC), the family faced significant financial hardships, including pawning jewellery and taking loans from Kudumbashree. Sreeja didn’t just study for herself; she studied to honour the sweat and toil of her parents.
The Strategic Partnership: Fortune IAS Academy
While the fire was Sreeja’s own, the fuel and direction came from her time at Fortune IAS Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, The best IAS Academy in Kerala. Recognising the need for a structured approach to tackle the world’s toughest exam, she joined our Prelims cum Mains (PCM) batch.
How Fortune Shaped Her Success:
Expert Mentorship: Under the guidance of mentors like Achuth Sir and the dedicated faculty, Sreeja refined her focus on Polity, International Relations, and Governance.
The Interview Edge: The academy’s Interview Guidance Programme was instrumental in transforming the quiet village girl into a confident diplomat-to-be. Mock interviews helped her polish her communication and present her thoughts with the poise required for the IFS.
Consistency is Key: Sreeja credits the disciplined environment of the academy for helping her maintain her “dawn-to-dusk” study routine. She was a student who never let a day’s newspaper go unread or a daily lesson go unfinished.
Reaching the Moon
Inspired by the first session in Fortune by Fabi Rasheed (AIR 71, 2023 – First attempt ), Sreeja decided early on that she would give the UPSC only one attempt. It was a “do-or-die” mindset that left no room for excuses.
Though she aimed for a Top 15 rank, securing AIR 57—and becoming the top Malayali rank holder of the year—is what she describes as “reaching the moon.” As a postgraduate in Political Science, her heart has always been in international diplomacy. Soon, she will be representing India on the global stage, carrying the values of Naruvamoodu to the halls of international power.
The Lesson for Every Aspirant
Sreeja JS is living proof that your current circumstances are not your permanent address. You don’t need a luxury study or a high-end coach to succeed. You need:
A Visible Goal: Like Sreeja, put your dream where you have to look it in the eye every day.
Unwavering Discipline: Treat every day as your only chance.
The Right Guidance: Find a support system, like Fortune IAS Academy, that believes in your dream as much as you do.
As Sreeja prepares to join the IFS, her unpainted wall in Naruvamoodu stands as a silent witness to a miracle that was actually years of hard work, a father’s sacrifice, and a girl who refused to look away from her goal.
Sreeja JS: Journey at a Glance
Rank: 57 (UPSC CSE 2025)
Attempt: 1st Attempt
Service: Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
Hometown: Naruvamoodu, Thiruvananthapuram
Educational Background: MA Political Science (Madras Christian College)
Coaching Partner: Fortune IAS Academy