Madurai: In a proud moment for Tamil Nadu, Rajeshwari from Vadipatti, Madurai, has secured the second rank in the recently announced UPSC Civil Services Examination results. She is the only woman among the top five rank holders in the country this year.

Rajeshwari, who completed her electrical engineering from Anna University, Chennai in 2018, has already cleared the TNPSC Group-1 examination and is currently serving as a Deputy Collector. Her mother is an associate professor, and her father runs a two-wheeler spare parts shop and works as an insurance consultant. Sociology is her favourite subject.

Mock interview draws attention

Prior to her success, Rajeshwari’s answers during a UPSC mock interview session had attracted attention and were recently published by Times Now news media. The mock interview included questions on the controversial Thiruparankundram Deepam issue, demonstrating her awareness of local socio-political matters.

When asked about the controversy regarding lighting a lamp on the hill in Thiruparankundram, Rajeshwari explained, “It was a controversy over lighting lamps at the Thiruparankundram Subramania Swamy temple. Recently, the court allowed Hindu organizations to light lamps since the property belongs to the temple.”

On the reason for the dispute, she stated, “The district judge stayed it citing law and order issues and concerns about social harmony.”

Handling communal tensions

The interviewer posed a challenging hypothetical situation: “Suppose you are the district collector there and have issued this order. People do not follow the order. When they go to light lamps, another community gathers and starts pelting stones. You are at the scene. What will you do?”

Rajeshwari demonstrated her administrative acumen in response. “I will immediately coordinate with the Superintendent of Police and the temple authorities. I will call the group leaders for peace talks and try to defuse the social conflict immediately.”

When pressed further about non-compliance, she stated, “I will try to bring the situation under control by using police forces without resorting to major violence.”

Asked about potential escalation such as burning buses and property damage, she responded, “In that case, we will move on to the next stage of action by arresting those involved, dispersing the crowd and restoring law and order.”

Training and success

Rajeshwari has been undergoing training under the Naan Muthalvan scheme, which has contributed to her preparation. Her success at the national level brings pride to her hometown Madipur and serves as an inspiration to aspiring civil servants across Tamil Nadu.

The UPSC results released this year have placed Rajeshwari among the country’s top civil service candidates, with her thoughtful responses and administrative vision now drawing widespread appreciation.