HS Keerthana, once a celebrated child artist in South Indian cinema, has successfully cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination, securing an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 167 in the 2019 Main Examination. Her remarkable journey from the entertainment industry to becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer exemplifies dedication and perseverance.

Impressive UPSC Performance After Multiple Attempts

Keerthana, who belongs to the OBC category, scored a total of 984 marks in the Civil Services (Main) Examination, including 794 in the written papers and 190 in the personality test. This achievement reportedly came after six attempts, highlighting her unwavering commitment to realise her ambition of joining the civil services.

Beginning her career at a very young age, Keerthana featured in over 32 films and 48 television shows, becoming a well-known face in the South Indian entertainment scene. Some of her notable works include films such as Karpoorada Gombe, Ganga-Yamuna, Muddina Aliya, Upendra, Kanoor Heggadati, Circle Inspector, and Naalaiya Theerpu, where she starred alongside Tamil superstar Vijay in 1992. Her performances earned her widespread acclaim and several awards during her acting career.

Choosing Education Over Stardom

Despite a flourishing career until the age of 15, Keerthana chose to step away from the limelight to focus on her education. Inspired by her father’s dream, she decided to prepare for the UPSC exams, setting aside her acting pursuits to realise her goal of becoming an administrative officer.

Experience as a Karnataka Administrative Services Officer

Before clearing UPSC, Keerthana cleared the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) examination in 2011 and served as a KAS officer for two years. This experience further fuelled her determination to succeed in the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

The Rigorous UPSC Selection Process

The UPSC exam, conducted annually in three stages, preliminary, main, and interview, is known for its rigorous selection process to recruit officers into the IAS, Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other prestigious positions.

An Inspiring Example of Resilience and Focus

Keerthana’s journey from a child artist to an IAS officer stands as an inspiring example of resilience and focus, demonstrating that with sustained effort, diverse career transitions are possible.