Renu Raj Biography 
Dr. Renu Raj is an Indian administrative officer from the state of Kerala who currently serves as the sub-collector of Devikulam which includes the Munnar area. She made big headlines in February 2018 when she refused to bow down to political pressure and squared up to local leaders of ruling Communist party during a clean-up drive against encroachments and illegal construction. When the building had lacked the necessary authorisation, local leaders led by CPM MLA Rajendran blocked certain officials from revenue department who were dispatched to stop the construction of an industrial centre on the banks of the Muthirapuzha river. Abuse remarks made by the MLA against IAS officer were heavily criticised by social media and publishing houses of Kerala.
Renu hails from Kottayam, Kerala. V.N. Latha and Rajakumaran Nair are her parents. Her father is a retired government servant father who retired as DTO in the KSRTC and mother is a housewife. She schooled from St. Teresa’s Higher Secondary School in Changanassery, Kottayam. She also completed her MBBS degree at the Government Medical College at Kottayam. Both her sister and her husband are doctors. She is a trained classical dancer and has won prizes till school level competitions.
Since young, Renu dreamt to become an IAS officer. She started preparations from December 2013 onwards and used to study between 3 to 6 hours per day. Finally she cracked the IAS exam in the maiden attempt in 2015 at the age of 27 while she was working as a doctor at ASI Hospital in Kalluvathukkal, Kollam. She earned laurels for Kerala when she topped the civil service exams with a second rank in 2015, in her first attempt.
Her uncompromising stand in the face of organised adversity made the state proud and she has been made a local hero by Kerala people. She received support from all corners. When the legislator S. Rajendran intimidated the revenue officials and showered abuses on the sub-collector, she refused to buck under pressure and submitted a report before the Kerala High Court.
Published: February 18, 2019
Updated: February 18, 2019
