Daijiworld Media Network - Vijaywada
Vijayawada, Jun 15: In a tale that exemplifies resilience and quiet determination, 31-year-old Mulagani Uday Krishna Reddy, from the small village of Ullapalem in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district, has turned personal adversity into a powerful story of transformation — from a police constable to securing an All India Rank of 780 in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024.
Uday’s early years were marked by hardship. He lost his mother, Jayamma, when he was just four-and-a-half, and his father, Srinivasula Reddy, when he was 15. Raised by his grandmother Ramanamma, a daily wage labourer, Uday studied in government schools and colleges, completing his BA at Jawahar Bharathi Degree College after a vocational Intermediate course in lab technology. Currently, he is pursuing his MA in Political Science through distance learning.
Though life threw him many challenges, Uday’s resolve only grew stronger. In 2012, he was selected for the Andhra Pradesh police as a constable and began service in October 2013 at Gudluru station. But a turning point came in 2018 when he was publicly humiliated by his circle inspector during a disciplinary drill in front of nearly 60 colleagues. The incident left a lasting impact and led him to resign from service the following year.
Instead of letting bitterness take root, Uday redirected his energy toward preparing for the civil services. He studied Political Science and International Relations as his optional subject, dedicating 8–10 hours a day to his goal. He trained under Sarath Chandra IAS Academy for the mains and interview.
The journey wasn't easy. He faced setbacks in 2019, 2021, and 2022. But each attempt taught him more than just academics. With support from his brother Pranay Krishna Reddy, maternal uncle Koti Reddy, and close friends including Yogi, Siva Kumar, Sarath Chandra, Sunil, and Rajesh, Uday kept going. Encouragement from the then Prakasam SP Siddharth Kaushal also proved instrumental in keeping his morale high.
When the results of UPSC 2024 were announced, Uday's perseverance finally bore fruit. His modest background, emotional wounds, and a career detour couldn’t stop him from cracking one of the country’s toughest exams.
Looking ahead, Uday wants his career in public service to reflect the values that helped him succeed: discipline, courage, and empathy. He dreams of launching a 109 helpline service — inspired by 108 emergency medical response — exclusively for the rescue and rehabilitation of stray animals. He also hopes to organise regular Praja Darbars to stay connected with the people he serves and plans to work actively against drug abuse, especially among youth.
To aspirants, his message is simple but powerful: “Discipline, determination, and a fearless pursuit of excellence can change your life.”