From Cinema to Civil Services: How actress HS Keerthana who once worked with Vijay became an IAS officer

How actress HS Keerthana who once worked with Vijay became an IAS officer

Most people know her as the charming child star from popular films and TV shows, but today she wears a different hat, that of an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. Meet H.S. Keerthana, a woman who left the glitz and glamour of the film industry for the challenging yet impactful world of civil services.

Keerthana's journey began at a very young age when she stepped into the world of acting. With over 32 films and 48 television shows to her credit, she became a familiar face in households across South India. Some of her notable works include Karpoorada Gombe, Ganga-Yamuna, Upendra, Lady Commissioner, and Simhadri. She even shared the screen with Tamil superstar Vijay in the 1992 film Naalaiya Theerpu, winning hearts with her performances and earning several awards.

However, at the age of 15, at the peak of her success, Keerthana made a decision that surprised many, she left acting to focus on her education. Her father's dream of seeing her serve the nation as a civil servant became her own. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

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Clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of the toughest exams in the country, was no easy task. Keerthana faced many challenges and setbacks. It took her six attempts to finally achieve her goal. But she never gave up. In 2011, she cleared the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) exam and served as a KAS officer for two years. This experience only strengthened her resolve to crack the UPSC exam.

In 2019, her hard work paid off. Keerthana secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 167 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. She scored 794 marks in the written exam and 190 in the personality test, totaling 984 marks. As an OBC category candidate, her achievement became an inspiration to many.

Today, IAS officer H.S. Keerthana, the Chief Executive Officer of Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka, stands as a symbol of determination and versatility. Her journey from the silver screen to public service reminds us that success is not limited to a single path.