Anu Kumari’s remarkable journey from a working mother to a top-ranking IAS officer is an inspiring tale of dedication and perseverance. This comprehensive biography delves into her life, career, and the remarkable achievements that have made her a role model for aspiring civil servants.

Biography/Wiki

Anu Kumari, born on November 18, 1986, is a 31-year-old woman hailing from Sonepat, Haryana. Her exceptional performance in the 2017 UPSC Civil Services Examination, where she secured AIR 2, has made her an icon for IAS aspirants. Notably, she topped among female candidates. Balancing her roles as a wife, mother, and working professional, she dedicated herself to her UPSC preparation, residing at her maternal aunt’s house to focus entirely on her studies.

Physical Appearance

Anu Kumari possesses a charming and intelligent demeanor. She stands approximately 5’3″ tall and weighs around 50 kg. Her dark brown eyes and black hair complement her graceful personality.

Family, Caste & Husband

She comes from a Hindu-Jat family. Her parents are Baljit Singh (father) and Santro Devi (mother). She has a younger sister and two brothers. Married to Varun Dahiya, a Delhi-based businessman, she is also a mother to a son, Rihan Dahiya.

Career

Anu’s educational journey includes schooling at Shiva Shiksha Sadan, Sonepat, a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics from Hindu College, Delhi University, and an MBA from IMT, Nagpur. She gained nine years of experience at Aviva Life Insurance before leaving her job in 2016 to fully concentrate on the UPSC exam.

Her career path demonstrates a commitment to both professional success and personal ambition. Leaving a secure job to pursue her dream exemplifies her dedication.

Facts

Here are some key highlights of Anu Kumari’s journey:

• Cleared the UPSC exam in her second attempt.
• Her first attempt in 2016 served as a learning experience, narrowly missing the prelims by just one mark.
• Her first UPSC application was surprisingly submitted by her elder brother without her initial knowledge.
• To focus on her studies, she lived at her maternal aunt’s home, temporarily sending her four-year-old son to live with his grandparents for a year and a half.
• She dedicated 10-12 hours daily to her studies.
• She is passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of children and women, aiming to take legal action against criminals.
• Following her success, she received congratulatory messages from Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
• She was appointed as the brand ambassador for the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign in Sonipat District, Haryana.

Educational and Professional Timeline