UPSC Journey: How Telangana’s Ananya Secured AIR 3 In Her First Attempt, Know Her Success Mantra – News18

Last Updated:March 05, 2025, 17:08 IST

UPSC Success Story: Donuru Ananya Reddy, who secured AIR 3 in her first UPSC attempt, credits her success to disciplined preparation and inspiration from Virat Kohli’s perseverance.

UPSC Success Story: Success in the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Civil Services Exam (CSE) is not something that comes easily. One of India’s most difficult, the Civil Services Exam is even included in the world’s toughest exam rankings. It takes perseverance, commitment, and rigorous study to ace the UPSC exam. Even though thousands of students sit for the UPSC Civil Services Exam, only some of them make it to the final list following the interview. IAS officer Donuru Ananya Reddy is one such example.

How Did Donuru Ananya Reddy Achieve Her Dream?

In the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2023, Donuru Ananya Reddy, a resolute candidate from Mahbubnagar, Telangana, secured an exceptional All India Rank 3. Even more impressive is the fact that, after two years of dedicated study, she passed the exam on her first attempt.

Donuru Ananya Reddy, who graduated from Miranda House in Delhi, studied Geography for her bachelor’s degree and minored in Economics. During the last few years of her studies, she moved to Delhi and lived in rented accommodation to concentrate on her UPSC preparation. Her optional subject was Anthropology, and she chose to receive coaching in that field while studying independently for the other subjects. She dedicated 12 to 14 hours a day to studying.

She did not have a strict study plan at first, but as the exam drew closer, she increased her study hours. She underlined that choosing the appropriate materials and understanding the exam format were essential to her success. To manage her stress and balance her studies, Donuru Ananya Reddy turned to reading novels and watching cricket. She looks up to Virat Kohli because of his unwavering work ethic and perseverance.

“Virat Kohli, he is my favourite player and I think there’s a kind of inspiration and never give up attitude he has,” she had said in an interview with a local news channel. She had further added, “The discipline and his work are a major takeaway from Virat Kohli, that’s why he is inspiring.”

Further in the video, Donuru Ananya Reddy acknowledged the help she had received from her parents, relatives, and friends, and conveyed her appreciation for their encouragement during her journey.

The IAS officer sees her success as a duty and strives to provide efficient service to others while maintaining accessible administration.