The UPSC exam is known as one of the toughest examinations in India, leading to appointments in prestigious positions like IAS and IPS. Every year, lakhs of candidates attempt the exam, but only a handful succeed. Today, let's read the inspiring story of Ratna Viswanathan, a woman who unexpectedly passed the UPSC exam. Despite being allocated the IPS cadre, she opted for a different path based on her family’s advice. Eventually, she decided to leave her job and dedicate her life to educating children. Through her organisation, 'Reach to Teach,' Ratna is making a significant impact by teaching in government schools across the country.

Background

Ratna Viswanathan, originally from Odisha, moved to Lucknow with her father for business, and her family eventually settled there. She completed her studies in Lucknow. Initially, Ratna was not serious about the UPSC exam; she was pursuing an MA in English Literature at Lucknow University. When her friends filled out the UPSC application, she decided to join in as a joke.

Despite the lack of coaching institutes and resources at the time, she engaged in group study with her friends. After successfully clearing the prelims, she realised she could actually crack the exam. From that point on, she dedicated herself to preparing for the Mains and Interview, ultimately achieving success in 1987 and securing an IPS cadre.

UPSC journey

When Ratna received the IPS cadre, her father advised her against joining the police service, believing that she might not be suited for that field. He encouraged her to consider another career path. Taking his advice to heart, Ratna chose to join the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IAAS), which operates under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). Over the course of 21 years, she held various positions within this service, working in key departments such as Audit, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Voluntary retirement

Despite her extensive experience in government service, Ratna felt a strong desire to contribute more to society. In 2008, she opted for Voluntary Retirement (VRS) and bid farewell to her government job. Following this, she collaborated with various national and international organisations. For four years, she served as the Operations Director at Oxfam India and also worked with several other NGOs dedicated to social change.

CEO of 'Reach to Teach' 

In 2020, Ratna Viswanathan became the CEO of 'Reach to Teach,' an organisation dedicated to providing quality education in government schools across various states in India. Ratna believes that since the majority of children in the country attend government schools, there is a critical need to enhance the quality of education in these institutions. She is committed to teaching children and delivering education in an engaging manner in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Haryana.