In a world where ambition often collides with financial hurdles and societal pressures, there are always a few who choose to rise — not just for themselves, but for generations to come. And this year, Tamil Nadu’s civil services aspirants have done just that, scripting an inspiring new chapter of success, determination, and hope.

A Dream Nurtured, A Dream Realized
For decades, cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam has been seen as a distant dream for many. But in 2024, Tamil Nadu’s young minds proved that with the right support, dreams can indeed become reality. This year, 57 candidates from the state cleared the nation’s most prestigious examination — a significant leap from 45 last year.

The Backbone of Their Success: ‘Naan Mudhalvan’
Behind this remarkable achievement stands the Tamil Nadu government’s visionary initiative — Naan Mudhalvan. Out of the 57 successful candidates, an inspiring 50 were beneficiaries of this scheme. Among them, 18 brilliant minds, including the state topper, underwent rigorous training at the government’s free residential coaching centre, showing that opportunity coupled with hard work creates magic.

Breaking New Grounds
The air was electric with celebration when five young achievers from Tamil Nadu stormed into the top 50 ranks nationally. B Sivachandran secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 23, closely followed by Gee Gee A S at 25, and Subash Karthik, R Monika, and Pavitra P clinching the 29th, 39th, and 42nd spots respectively. Their journey symbolizes not just personal victories but the resurgence of an entire state’s potential.

The Power of a Helping Hand
Scholarships, mentorship, and structured coaching made all the difference. Through Naan Mudhalvan, aspirants received ₹7,500 per month during their preliminary preparation and ₹25,000 during their mains. To further fuel their ambition, an additional ₹50,000 was awarded to those reaching the interview stage. Small steps by the state, giant leaps for its youth.

“We have the best results in terms of quality and quantity this year, compared to the past three years,” shared S Chandru, academic head of Shankar IAS Academy, his voice brimming with pride.

Behind Every Success, a Team of Believers
It wasn’t just financial aid. It was mentorship from serving IAS and IPS officers, it was retired bureaucrats sharing life lessons, it was the spirit of resilience instilled in every coaching class. “Connecting with officers who had once been in our shoes made all the difference,” recalled R Monika, one of this year’s shining stars.

A Vision for the Future
The story doesn’t end here. Tamil Nadu dreams of recreating the golden year of 2014, when a staggering 119 candidates from the state made it to the civil services. Today’s achievement is a powerful reminder that with the right ecosystem, excellence isn’t a rarity — it’s an expectation.

As these 57 trailblazers step into their roles as future administrators, they carry not just their own dreams, but the aspirations of thousands who will dare to believe because of them. Their journeys tell us something profound:

Sometimes, the strongest leaders are forged not in ease, but in effort.
Not in privilege, but in perseverance.