Women across the world have rewritten how the future would look for the generations of daughters, sisters and wives to come. While there is a long road ahead, women are continuously working towards a better tomorrow with their determination, aspiration and diligence. One success story at a time, they are changing and nurturing the growth of the country. Minnu Joshy’s story is one such tale of hard work.
Minnu Joshy is the perfect example of how a woman can handle both her household responsibilities and her dreams. With a little support from her family, Minnu aimed for the sky and rightfully claimed her spot among the achievers. Let’s take a look at her journey from being married at a young age to cracking one of the toughest exams in India.
Minnu Joshy was married at the age of 21
In the small, quiet village of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, Minnu Joshy defied the odds. Thanks to her perseverance, she not only achieved something for herself but also fulfilled a dream she once saw with her father. Minnu’s father was a dedicated policeman. However, his untimely demise left her in shock. While she secured a clerical position in the Kerala Police Department in 2012 through the ‘die-in-harness’ scheme, her dreams were far bigger than what people around her could understand.
However, Minnu Joshey was married at the age of 21. While many would have lost their dreams in the blend of responsibilities of a wife and daughter-in-law, Minnu kept her dream tightly captured in her fist. She soon welcomed a baby boy at the age of 23. She was not just a wife and a full-time employee now, but also a mother. Yet, she managed to hold onto the hope that one day her dreams would find a glimmer of hope.
Minnu Joshy’s preparation for the IAS exam

Three years later, Minnu found that hope, and at the age of 26, she started preparing for the IAS exam. Minnu was motivated by the fact that her current job was viewed as a continuation of her deceased father’s service, and not her own achievement, and this was something she was determined to change. It was at that moment that she decided to give the exams her best attempt and fulfil a dream she shared with her late father. She would spend every morning at the Shankar Library, diligently reading the Hindu.
Minnu Joshy soon after joined the Shankar IAS Academy, and after 6 attempts and long hours of study sessions, she successfully cleared the exam with flying colours. Minnu spent her days managing paperwork and her nights buried in books. Through relentless determination and grit, she secured an All India Rank of 150 in the Civil Services Examination, proving that no dream is too distant when fueled by resolve.
Minnu Joshy’s journey stands as a testament to what happens when courage meets opportunity. And today, she is not just a diligent officer but someone her entire family can feel pride over.
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