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Anu Kumari, IAS: Profile, Bio, Age, Husband and Family



Early Life & Education

Anu Kumari was born in Sonipat, Haryana, into a modest, middle‑class family. Her father, Baljit Singh, worked in HR at a local hospital, while her mother managed a buffalo shed to supplement family income (Indian Masterminds). Growing up, Anu displayed academic excellence and a flair for extracurriculars—scoring 89% in Class XII with a blend of Mathematics and Biology, while also participating in dance and art competitions (Indian Masterminds).

Securing admission to Delhi University's prestigious Hindu College, she undertook a demanding 90 km daily commute, reflecting early determination (Indian Masterminds). Post-graduation in 2006, she pursued an MBA in Finance at IMT Nagpur. Soon after earning her MBA in 2008, Anu joined ICICI Prudential in Mumbai and later moved to Gurugram, working there until 2016 while starting a family (Indian Masterminds).

From Corporate Success to UPSC Commitment

By 2016, Anu was a successful finance professional, married to Varun Dahiya and mother to her son, Viaan. Her turning point came after UPSC 2015 played out, where her younger brother secretly enrolled her for the 2016 edition (Indian Masterminds). With financial backup from her uncle and full support from her father, Anu quit her job and began preparations (Indian Masterminds).

However, balancing UPSC preparation and motherhood was challenging. She stayed away from her toddler at her maternal aunt’s house, with Viaan staying with his grandmother, allowing her focused study periods. The emotional toll of this separation was profound (Indian Masterminds).

UPSC Attempt One: Learning Curve

Anu's first attempt in 2016 ended with her missing the prelims by just one mark. Instead of discouragement, this near-miss fueled her resolve, leading her to intensify the preparation (Chronicle India).

UPSC 2017: Cracking AIR 2

Anu Kumari’s landmark came in 2017, topping the UPSC with an All India Rank 2 (Indian Masterminds). This remarkable feat—achieved at age 31 in her second attempt—resonated widely among aspirants (Reddit) and highlighted exemplary perseverance.

In interviews, she attributed her success to:

  • Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy

  • Family and friends’ unwavering support

  • Structured preparation sources like NCERT, Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (Modern Indian History), Shankar (Environment), and Insights on India for current affairs (Indian Masterminds, Chronicle India).

She emphasizes integrated Prelims–Mains preparation over 1.5 years, early mornings, disciplined schedules (study by 4 AM), a social media detox, and strategic use of soft note-taking.

Entry into the Administrative Service

Post‑UPSC, Anu completed Phase 2 training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) . Allocated to the Kerala cadre (2018 batch), she began as an Assistant Collector in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by Sub-Collector of Thalassery and District Development Commissioner in 2022 (Kerala Kaumudi).

Leadership in Thiruvananthapuram: Digital Governance & District Collector

In July 2024, Anu was appointed District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, succeeding Geromic George (Elets eGov). Her responsibilities include overseeing rehabilitation linked to Vizhinjam Port and championing sectors such as education, tourism, and social welfare (Elets eGov).

Previously, as Director of the Kerala State IT Mission, she led major e‑governance initiatives, with publicly acknowledged efforts in digital governance (Elets eGov).

Recent Initiatives & Public Engagement

1. Comprehensive Sexuality Education Program (July 2025)

Anu spearheaded Kerala’s first‑ever Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) campaign aimed at children’s safety and well‑being. The initiative received media praise for its progressive stance (Instagram).

2. District Governance & Public Welfare

Since taking over as Collector, she’s prioritized inclusive development, coordination with elected officials, and citizen engagement through town halls and public forums .

Controversies & Public Perception

As of today (July 2025), no public controversies have been recorded against Anu Kumari. Her legal standings trace back to cases involving UPSC tie-breaking but not any civil-services-related misconduct.

  • Legal note: She had approached the Central Administrative Tribunal regarding cadre preferences post CSE 2017; it reached Delhi High Court but is procedural (DNA India, Indian Kanoon).

  • Sources: Indian Kanoon and DNA India detail her UR preference issue—not scandalous. These stem from misunderstanding, not allegations.

Her performance in office has earned public trust and minimal criticism—a testament to professionalism and ethical governance.

🔍 Summary Table

Aspect Details
Name Anu Kumari
Birthplace Sonipat, Haryana
Education DU (Physics), IMT Nagpur (MBA Finance)
Corporate Career Wipro (offer), ICICI Prudential
UPSC 2016: Failed by 1 mark; 2017: AIR 2
Cadre & Batch Kerala, 2018
Previous Roles Assistant/Sub‑Collector, IT Mission Director
Current Role District Collector, Thiruvananthapuram (since July 2024)
Recent Projects CSE campaign, district welfare initiatives
Controversies None significant presently

🔑 Top Interesting Facts

  1. Mother Together with Career: Anu uniquely balanced motherhood with UPSC prep, temporarily being away from her 30‑month‑old son—a rare sacrifice (Indian Kanoon, Indian Masterminds, DNA India, Kerala Kaumudi).

  2. Late Bloomer: She cleared UPSC AIR 2 at age 31, citing “grit and perseverance” as critical—a popular motivational narrative .

  3. Digital Governance Pioneer: As IT Mission Director, she led e‑governance transformation before becoming Collector .

  4. Strong Role Model: Her ethos, citing Vivekananda and disciplined living, resonates across aspirant communities .

  5. Socially Progressive: Today’s advocate of progressive causes like sexuality education demonstrates modern governance thinking .

❓ FAQs about Anu Kumari, IAS

Q1: What is Anu Kumari’s current administrative position?
A: She’s the District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram since July 2024, overseeing comprehensive welfare and urban development initiatives .

Q2: How did Anu manage studying while being a mother?
A: She strategically stayed at her aunt’s, facilitated by her family, allowing focused study sessions, while her son stayed with his grandmother. The separation was emotionally hard yet significantly helpful .

Q3: What strategies did she use to clear UPSC?
A: Her systematic strategy included NCERT basics, standard reference books, strong current‑affairs sources, disciplined timing (4 AM–10 PM), minimal digital distraction, and softcopy note-taking .

Q4: Were there any controversies during her career?
A: No notable controversies. Legal challenges relate to UPSC procedural aspects, not professional or ethical misconduct .

Q5: What notable programs has she launched in Kerala?
A: She led the state’s first Comprehensive Sexuality Education campaign (July 2025) and has been proactive in digital‑governance and public‑welfare projects as collector .

✍️ Concluding Thoughts

Anu Kumari’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, sacrifice, and service. Quitting a corporate job, enduring personal separation, and taking the test of UPSC brought her to an influential role in governance. In her current role, she stands out for innovation (digital), inclusivity (child safety), and ethical leadership.

As a mid‑career officer with no public scandal, Anu remains a role model for aspirants, working professionals, and women, embodying how personal ambition, family support, and public service can harmoniously coexist.


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