Excellence from Jharkhand took center stage as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the Indian Forest Services Examination 2024 (IFS) results on May 19. Leading the list is Ranchi girl Kanika Anabh (28) whose remarkable feat has brought immense pride to the State and inspired aspirants nationwide. The examination was conducted last year from November 24 to December 1 while the interviews were held from April 21 to May 2, 2025. A total of 143 candidates have been recommended for appointment under various categories with Kanika Anabh securing the All India Rank 1. Kanika, a Zoology graduate from Miranda House, Delhi University and an MSc in Biotechnology from Jawaharlal Nehru University (2020) had been pursuing a PhD at National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) when she decided to switch to civil services for greater public engagement. During the initial days of PhD at NCBS, while working in the lab I thought a field which involved more public interaction would be better suited for a career option and that is when I thought of joining the civil services. IAS and IFS were the top preferred choices and I had not particularly thought of IFS but it being a very coveted service, this was one I was trying for. I also appeared for two interviews at civil services but both the times I missed making it to the final list. Thankfully I made it to the list of IFS in my third attempt, said a beaming Kanika.    Born and brought up in Ranchi, Kanika did her schooling from Sacred Heart School and JVM Shyamali in 2015. Being a science student throughout, she started preparing for the competitive exam from scratch in 2021 with NCERT books, built on her general studies and rigorously practiced mock tests and past papers. Each stage requires a unique approach—prelims, mains, and especially the interview- with clear cut answers to dodging controversial questions all while maintaining a balanced view. The inspiration largely came from seeing good work being done and since childhood APJ Abdul Kalam is a personality I have always looked up to, added the budding officer Kanika has chosen Odisha as her first cadre preference citing its rich biodiversity and proximity to home state. Kanikas father Abhay Kumar Sinha is a retired Principal District Judge from Khunti, who is currently posted in Koderma as the Consumer Forum Chairperson, while her mother Anita Sinha is a homemaker. Since my father has been in the judiciary, the government service inspiration comes from him. I have seen and learnt from him how to maintain integrity and public life. My parents have been very particular that the quality of education I receive is the best. With my father being in a transferable job, my mother and I stayed in Ranchi so that I could complete my schooling here which I feel was the first support and also a major sacrifice on their part. As I largely prepared from home, they have been very encouraging despite all the failures and the credit for all my achievements goes to them, added Kanika.

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