Renu Raj IAS is a 2015-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre who secured All India Rank 2 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2014 — in her very first attempt — while working as a surgeon. She is currently serving as Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Kerala (since June 2026).
Contents
- Quick Stats Table — Dr. Renu Raj IAS
- Who Is Renu Raj IAS? The Short Version
- Early Life and Family Background of Renu Raj IAS
- Education: From Classroom Topper to Country Topper
- The UPSC Journey: A Doctor Becomes a Topper
- Why Did a Doctor Choose to Become an IAS Officer?
- Renu Raj IAS Career: Every Posting, Every Chapter
- Renu Raj IAS Current Posting (2026)
- The Munnar Moment: When Renu Raj Became a Hero
- Ernakulam District Collector and the Brahmapuram Controversy
- Renu Raj IAS Marriage and Personal Life
- Renu Raj IAS Age and Personal Details (2026)
- Conclusion: What Makes Renu Raj IAS Stand Out?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1. What is Renu Raj IAS’s UPSC rank?
- Q2. What is Renu Raj IAS’s current posting in 2026?
- Q3. Who did Renu Raj IAS marry in 2022?
- Q4. What is Renu Raj IAS’s age in 2026?
- Q5. Does Renu Raj IAS have children?
- Q6. What is Renu Raj IAS’s educational qualification?
- Q7. Which cadre and batch does Renu Raj IAS belong to?
- Q8. What is Renu Raj IAS famous for?
Quick Stats Table — Dr. Renu Raj IAS
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Renu Raj |
| Date of Birth | 21 May 1987 |
| Age (2026) | 39 Years |
| Birthplace | Changanassery, Kottayam, Kerala |
| Home State (Domicile) | Tamil Nadu |
| Cadre | Kerala |
| Batch | 2015 |
| UPSC Exam Year | 2014 (CSE 2014) |
| UPSC Rank | All India Rank 2 (AIR 2) |
| Total Marks (UPSC) | 1056 out of 2025 |
| Optional Subject | Malayalam Literature |
| Category | General |
| UPSC Attempt | 1st (First Attempt) |
| Educational Qualification | MBBS, M.A. (Public Administration) |
| College | Government Medical College, Kottayam |
| School | St. Teresa’s Higher Secondary School, Changanassery |
| Father’s Name | Rajakumaran Nair (Retired KSRTC employee) |
| Mother’s Name | V.N. Latha (Housewife) |
| First Husband | Dr. Bhagat L.S. (Divorced) |
| Current Husband | Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman (IAS, AIR 2, CSE 2012) |
| Marriage Date | April 28, 2022 |
| Children | Not officially confirmed |
| Current Posting | Additional Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Dept., Kerala (since June 8, 2026) |
| Total Postings | 9 |
| Years of Service | 11 Years |
| Retirement Year | 2047 (Expected) |
| Pay Level | Level 12 in the IAS Pay Matrix |
| Officer Code | 01KL114L01 |
Who Is Renu Raj IAS? The Short Version
- Renu Raj IAS is not your typical IAS topper story.
- She is a doctor, a daughter of a KSRTC bus conductor, a woman from a small town in Kerala — and she cracked India’s toughest exam in her very first try.
- She scored AIR 2 in UPSC CSE 2014 with a total of 1056 marks out of 2025, including a stellar interview score of 198 out of 275.
- She chose Malayalam Literature as her optional — unusual for a medical doctor — and it paid off brilliantly.
- Today, Dr. Renu Raj IAS is a seasoned administrator with 11 years of service, nine postings, and a reputation as one of Kerala’s most fearless officers.
- She is currently posted as Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Kerala, with three additional charges — as of June 2026.
Early Life and Family Background of Renu Raj IAS
- Renu Raj IAS was born on 21 May 1987 in Changanassery, Kottayam district, Kerala.
- Her father, Rajakumaran Nair, was a retired District Transport Officer (DTO) with KSRTC — the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. Some reports refer to him as a bus conductor; his role was in the transport department.
- Her mother, V.N. Latha, is a homemaker.
- Renu Raj IAS Family includes two sisters — both doctors by profession.
- Her childhood inspiration? As a school student, her father took her to meet then-Kottayam Collector Mini Antony. That one conversation lit a spark that never went out.
Renu Raj IAS Family — At a Glance
| Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Rajakumaran Nair — Retired KSRTC DTO |
| Mother | V.N. Latha — Homemaker |
| Sisters | 2 sisters, both doctors |
| First Husband | Dr. Bhagat L.S. — Doctor (Divorced) |
| Current Husband | Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman — IAS Officer (AIR 2, CSE 2012) |
| Children | Not officially confirmed |
Education: From Classroom Topper to Country Topper
- Renu Raj IAS completed her schooling at St. Teresa’s Higher Secondary School (HSS), Changanassery, Kottayam.
- She scored an impressive 96.3% in Class X and 95% in Class XII.
- She then pursued MBBS from Government Medical College, Kottayam — one of Kerala’s most respected medical institutions.
- Her graduation percentage was 69.3%.
- After MBBS, she worked as a surgeon at ASI Hospital in Kalluvathukkal, Kollam district.
- She later completed an M.A. in Public Administration — a qualification listed in her official DoPT civil list record.
Education Timeline
| Year | Qualification | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2005 | Class X (96.3%) | St. Teresa’s HSS, Changanassery |
| 2005–2007 | Class XII (95%) | St. Teresa’s HSS, Changanassery |
| 2007–2013 | MBBS | Government Medical College, Kottayam |
| Post-service | M.A. (Public Administration) | In-service qualification |
| 2014 | UPSC CSE AIR 2 | Direct Recruit — Kerala Cadre |
The UPSC Journey: A Doctor Becomes a Topper
- Renu Raj IAS started preparing for UPSC in December 2013 — just a few months before the 2014 exam.
- She studied 6 to 8 hours per day, all while continuing to work as a doctor.
- She took coaching for prelims and optional from Pala Institute and NSS Academy, Trivandrum.
- For most of her preparation, she relied on self-study, newspaper reading, answer writing practice, and mock tests.
- She chose Malayalam Literature as her optional subject — a choice she explains was driven by genuine interest and passion, not just strategy.
- Result? She cleared the exam in her very first attempt with AIR 2.
Renu Raj IAS UPSC Score Breakdown (CSE 2014)
| Stage / Paper | Marks |
|---|---|
| Essay | Included in mains total |
| Optional Paper 1 (Malayalam Literature) | 147 / 250 |
| Optional Paper 2 (Malayalam Literature) | 172 / 250 |
| Optional Total | 319 / 500 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | 198 / 275 |
| Final Total | 1056 / 2025 |
| UPSC Rank | AIR 2 (CSE 2014) |
| Batch Allotted | 2015 Batch |
| Cadre Allotted | Kerala |
Why Did a Doctor Choose to Become an IAS Officer?
- This is the question every aspirant asks when they hear Renu Raj IAS‘s story.
- The answer is simple and powerful.
- As a surgeon, she could help hundreds of patients. As an IAS officer, she could help thousands — even lakhs — of people.
- “As an IAS officer, she can help lakhs of people,” her father told Manorama News when the CSE 2014 results were announced.
- Dr. Renu Raj IAS once said in an interview: “I have no notion of changing society overnight.”
- Her choice of Malayalam Literature as an optional (instead of the more obvious Medical Science) also reflects this: she wanted to connect with her roots, culture, and language — not just leverage her degree.
Renu Raj IAS Career: Every Posting, Every Chapter
- Renu Raj IAS has held 9 postings over 11 years of service, entirely in the Kerala cadre (State cadre — no central deputation as of 2026).
- Her longest posting was 2 years 2 months as Director, Urban Affairs, Kerala.
- Her most talked-about early posting was as Sub Collector, Devikulam — where she took on land mafias and politicians with zero fear.
Renu Raj IAS Posting History (Complete List)
| # | Role | Department / Location | Period | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Additional Secretary (Current) | Health & Family Welfare Dept., Kerala + Director, Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. + MD, Kerala Health Research & Welfare Society + ED, State Health Systems Resource Centre | Jun 2026 → Present | 4 months+ |
| 2 | Director | Scheduled Tribes Development Department | Jul 2024 → Jun 2026 | 1 year 11 months |
| 3 | District Collector | Wayanad | Mar 2023 → Jul 2024 | 1 year 4 months |
| 4 | District Collector | Ernakulam | Jul 2022 → Mar 2023 | 8 months |
| 5 | Director | Urban Affairs, Kerala | May 2020 → Jul 2022 | 2 years 2 months |
| 6 | Deputy Secretary | General Administration Department | Sep 2019 → May 2020 | 8 months |
| 7 | Sub Collector | Devikulam (Munnar area) | Nov 2018 → Sep 2019 | 10 months |
| 8 | Sub Collector | Thrissur | Sep 2017 → Nov 2018 | 1 year 2 months |
| 9 | Assistant Secretary | Tribal Affairs | Jul 2017 → Sep 2017 | 2 months |
Renu Raj IAS Current Posting (2026)
- Renu Raj IAS Current Posting as of 2026: Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Kerala.
- She assumed this role on June 8, 2026, with three additional charges:
- Director, Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (KMSCL)
- Managing Director, Kerala Health Research and Welfare Society
- Executive Director, State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC)
- This is a highly significant posting — combining health policy, healthcare procurement, research, and resource management for the state of Kerala.
- Given her MBBS background, Dr. Renu Raj IAS is arguably one of the most uniquely qualified officers Kerala could place in this role.
The Munnar Moment: When Renu Raj Became a Hero
- No biography of Renu Raj IAS is complete without talking about what happened in Munnar.
- As Sub Collector of Devikulam (which covers the Munnar area), she ran a fierce crackdown on illegal constructions and land encroachments.
- During one drive, a local MLA — S. Rajendran of Devikulam — showed up, intimidated revenue officials, and reportedly showered verbal abuse at the sub-collector herself.
- Renu Raj IAS did not flinch. She submitted a report directly to the Kerala High Court.
- On her very last day as sub-collector (September 24, 2019), she cancelled four fake title deeds that had been used to encroach on government land, and directed the Tahsildar to take over 2.5 acres of encroached land.
- She also cancelled the licence of a resort near a mosque in Munnar that had been issued illegally.
Ernakulam District Collector and the Brahmapuram Controversy
- In July 2022, Renu Raj IAS was appointed as District Collector of Ernakulam.
- Her tenure coincided with the Brahmapuram waste plant fire — a crisis that drew national attention.
- Amid criticism of her handling of the Brahmapuram situation, the Kerala government issued a transfer order in March 2023.
- Renu Raj IAS was transferred to become District Collector of Wayanad.
- She held the Wayanad charge from March 2023 to July 2024 — overseeing the ecologically sensitive and tribal-dominant district for over a year.
Renu Raj IAS Marriage and Personal Life
- Renu Raj IAS Marriage has two chapters — and she has been open about both.
First Marriage
- Renu Raj IAS First Husband was Dr. Bhagat L.S., a medical doctor.
- At the time of her UPSC exam in 2014, she was already married.
- The marriage later ended in divorce.
- She handled her personal journey with dignity and continued her career without interruption.
Second Marriage (2022)
- Renu Raj IAS married Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman — an IAS officer of the Kerala cadre — on April 28, 2022.
- The ceremony took place at an auditorium in Chottanikkara, Kerala.
- It was a simple, low-key affair attended only by close family and friends.
- Sriram Venkitaraman had secured AIR 2 in UPSC CSE 2012 and serves as MD of Kerala Medical Services Corporation.
- Both Renu and Sriram are MBBS graduates, IAS officers of the Kerala cadre, both ranked 2nd in their respective UPSC years, and both served as sub-collectors of Devikulam.
Renu Raj IAS Marriage — Comparison Table
| Dr. Renu Raj IAS | Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman | |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC Rank | AIR 2 (CSE 2014) | AIR 2 (CSE 2012) |
| Cadre | Kerala | Kerala |
| Batch | 2015 | 2013 |
| Educational Background | MBBS | MBBS |
| Sub-Collector posting | Devikulam | Devikulam |
| Married | April 28, 2022 | April 28, 2022 |
Renu Raj IAS Children
- Renu Raj IAS Children: Not officially confirmed in any public record as of October 2026.
Renu Raj IAS Age and Personal Details (2026)
- Renu Raj IAS Age: 39 years (born May 21, 1987).
- Renu Raj IAS is expected to retire in 2047, giving her more than two decades of service ahead.
- She has already completed 11 years of active service with 9 postings across Kerala.
- Pay Level: Level 12 in the IAS Pay Matrix (consistent with her batch seniority).
Conclusion: What Makes Renu Raj IAS Stand Out?
- Renu Raj IAS is a compelling story of clarity of purpose, disciplined preparation, and courageous administration.
- She did not just crack UPSC. She cracked it in the first attempt, with AIR 2, while working a full-time medical job.
- As a district collector, she took on encroachers, politicians, and land mafias — and stood firm under pressure.
- As a senior officer in 2026, she is now steering health and welfare policy for an entire state, with four key roles under her name.
- Dr. Renu Raj IAS proves something simple: you do not need perfect circumstances. You need perfect intent.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Renu Raj IAS’s UPSC rank?
Renu Raj secured AIR 2 in UPSC CSE 2014 on her first attempt.
Q2. What is Renu Raj IAS’s current posting in 2026?
She serves as Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Kerala, according to the provided details.
Q3. Who did Renu Raj IAS marry in 2022?
She married IAS officer Dr. Sriram Venkitaraman on April 28, 2022.
Q4. What is Renu Raj IAS’s age in 2026?
Born on May 21, 1987, she is 39 years old in 2026.
Q5. Does Renu Raj IAS have children?
Information about her children is not officially confirmed publicly.
Q6. What is Renu Raj IAS’s educational qualification?
She holds an MBBS degree from Government Medical College, Kottayam.
Q7. Which cadre and batch does Renu Raj IAS belong to?
She belongs to the Kerala cadre, 2015 batch.
Q8. What is Renu Raj IAS famous for?
She is known for taking action against illegal constructions and land encroachments in Munnar.
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