H.S. Keerthana, once a familiar face in South Indian films and television, has transitioned from acting to becoming an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. She left the glamour of cinema to pursue a career in civil services, following her father’s dream of seeing her serve the nation.
Early Acting Career
Keerthana began acting at a very young age, appearing in over 32 films and 48 television shows. Some of her notable works include Karpoorada Gombe, Ganga-Yamuna, Upendra, Lady Commissioner, and Simhadri. She also acted alongside Tamil superstar Vijay in the 1992 film Naalaiya Theerpu, earning acclaim and awards for her performances.
A Bold Decision
At just 15 years old, Keerthana chose to step away from acting at the height of her success to focus on her education. This decision marked the beginning of her journey toward civil service.
Journey Through Civil Services
Clearing the UPSC Civil Services Examination, one of India’s toughest exams, was a challenging path. Keerthana faced several setbacks, taking six attempts before succeeding. In 2011, she cleared the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) exam and served as a KAS officer for two years, which strengthened her resolve to pursue the UPSC exam.
Achieving the UPSC Milestone
In 2019, Keerthana achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 167 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination, scoring 794 marks in the written exam and 190 in the personality test, totaling 984 marks. As an OBC category candidate, her accomplishment became an inspiration to many aspiring civil servants.
Current Role
Today, IAS officer H.S. Keerthana serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka. Her journey from the silver screen to public service highlights determination, versatility, and the idea that success can take many forms.
