A Doctor Quits Her Job To Become IAS Officer (AIR 2); Shares UPSC Prelims Book List And Other Tips

Here’s how Dr. Renu Raj juggled between her job as a doctor and UPSC CSE preparation to inspire millions.

Uncountable stories are floating in the world of civil services and the UPSC exam. From a Rickshaw puller's son becoming an IAS officer to clearing the UPSC exam without coaching in just the first attempt - reading about such stories of tenacity and resolve in the face of adversity gives us the drive to succeed in our goals. One such story is of Dr. Reenu Raj from Kottayam, Kerala.

IAS Officer Dr. Renu Raj - Quick Highlights

For as long as she can remember, Renu has had the dream to one day join the Indian Administrative Service. This desire became more tangible for her during the time she was practicing as a house surgeon when she interacted with people from a variety of social classes and came across harsh realities of life during this time period. 

She was 27 years old when she worked at ASI Hospital in Kalluvathukkal, Kollam district in Kerala, and decided to kickstart her IAS journey.

10 tips for UPSC preparation by IAS officer Dr. Renu Raj

There have been a lot of candidates who have been successful in passing the UPSC CSE exam as well as the interview in their native language, but having a strong command of the English language can help you write your answers more readily and perform better in the interviews.

1. Create a schedule that is reasonable and doable - that you are able to adhere to!
   
   
2. Identify both your strengths and weaknesses. They will be of tremendous assistance to you in gaining an advantage over the other contenders.
   
   
3. Your preparation for the UPSC should begin with the daily reading of newspapers and periodicals, and should then transition into the study based on the curriculum.
   
   
4. Dispel the fallacies that students who have an extraordinary educational background are the only ones who can pass the test. Remember, It is not the quantity of time spent studying that is important, but rather the quality of the time spent.
   
   
5. Solve the papers from prior years to boost your confidence. It is not overhyped; rather, it assists in comprehending how papers are framed.
   
   
6. To keep the level of preparation at a high standard, frequent short breaks are essential.
   
   
7. The lessons you learned in college can be quite helpful for your UPSC preparation.
   
   
8. It is normal to experience frustration when trying to understand new topics. Don't freak out because everything is going to become much more clear with time.
   
   
9. When going into the interview, it is important to have a strong understanding of one's own culture, language, and anything else that is distinct. Mock interviews are a wonderful source of preparation.
   
   
10. Instead of blindly following others in a pack, train yourself to form your own opinions about things. What is even more crucial is acquiring the skills necessary to articulate one's viewpoint politely. 

UPSC Prelims book list

This married working doctor was able to pass the IAS exam on her very first attempt by being dedicated throughout the process and devising a thoughtful strategy. 

Here is the set of books and resources that IAS officer Renu Raj recommends to prepare for UPSC Prelims.

You are well on your way to becoming an IAS officer, and here are some more stories to help you along the path!

• Betrayed By A Friend, IAS Nirish Rajput Sold Newspaper To Make Ends Meet Before He Cracked The UPSC Exam
• A Concise Guide To Acing The UPSC Ethics Paper With Ease
• “And I Still Rise”, Says UPSC Aspirant After Failing To Make The Cut On His Final Attempt
• How Actress Rubina Dilaik’s Instagram Post From 2020 Became A Question In UPSC CSE 2022
• With 44 Percent in 10th And Repeated Failures In Several Exams, This IAS Officer's Journey Culminated In AIR 77 In UPSC-CSE!