UPSC results: Gahana Navya James, Kerala Research scholar cracks it without coaching

A research scholar in international relations with UGC junior research fellowship, Gahana said she would opt for Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

Gahana with her parents; she graduated from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala

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Gahana Navya James, 25, who ranked 6th in the civil services exam results declared on Tuesday, opted for self study even as she came from Kerala’s coaching hub — Pala town in Kottayam district.

A research scholar in international relations with UGC junior research fellowship, Gahana said she would opt for Indian Foreign Service (IFS). “My uncle Sibi George, 1993-batch IFS officer and present Ambassador of India to Japan, has been a motivating factor for civil services. Besides, his presence in foreign service kindled an interest in keeping a tab on international affairs,’’ said Gahana, who writes poems as a hobby. She is the daughter of a retired college professor couple Chirakkal James Thomas and Deepa George, of Mutholi near Pala. She has a younger brother Gaurav Amar James, a degree student.

“I had a lot of opportunities for coaching in Pala, but I wanted to chart out my own course. I had self-confidence and understood my strengths and weaknesses well. I had shaped an ethical framework for me,’’ she said.

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“My parents were willing to send me anywhere for coaching, but I opted for self-study. My younger brother conducted mock interviews for me. We used to discuss current affairs after reading newspapers. Being a regular newspaper reader helped me to keep abreast of all developments in politics and economics. I discussed current affairs with my brother,’’ said Gahana.

She said the civil services win was never expected. “I am a full-time research scholar and did not go for any dedicated preparation for the civil services. It is not a forced dream… In 2021, I had written the exam, but did not clear the preliminary. It was only an attempt to understand the nature of the exam.’’

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