Sreedhanya Suresh, an IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, has assumed charge as the District Collector and Magistrate of Kasaragod. She shared this information via her official Instagram account on September 16, 2026. Upon her taking charge as the new District Magistrate of Kasaragod, SP (IPS) Nidhinra welcomed her by presenting a bouquet.
Sreedhanya Suresh’s story serves as an inspiration for young people who dream big despite having limited resources. Coming from a very modest economic background, her parents once worked as daily wage laborers under the MGNREGA scheme. Despite facing numerous financial challenges, she persisted with her studies, cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination, and became an IAS officer.
Kerala’s First Tribal Woman IAS Officer
Sreedhanya Suresh is a 2019-batch IAS officer belonging to the Kerala cadre. Originally from the Wayanad district of Kerala, she hails from the Kurichiya tribal community. She holds the distinction of being the first tribal woman from Kerala to become an IAS officer.
Childhood Spent in a Modest Family
Sreedhanya’s childhood was marked by financial hardship. Her parents worked as laborers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Wayanad. To supplement the family income, they also sold bows, arrows, and baskets.
Sreedhanya received her early education at a government school in Pozhuthana village, Wayanad. She later pursued higher education in Zoology at St. Joseph’s College, Calicut.
Inspired to Become an IAS Officer After Meeting a Collector
After completing her higher education, Sreedhanya worked as a clerk in Kerala’s Scheduled Tribes Development Department to support herself and her family. Later, she also served as a warden at a tribal hostel.
It was during this time that she met the then-District Collector, IAS Sriram Rao. Observing his work as a Collector sparked a desire in her to join the administrative service. It is said that Sriram Rao was the one who encouraged her to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Friends Raised ₹40,000
With the goal of becoming an IAS officer, Sreedhanya quit her job as a warden and began preparing for the UPSC examination. After persistent hard work, she cleared both the preliminary and main exams, but financial constraints arose when it came to traveling to Delhi for the interview.
Upon learning of this, her friends pooled together approximately ₹40,000 to help her. With this assistance, Sreedhanya traveled to Delhi and appeared for the UPSC interview.
Secured 410th Rank in Third Attempt
Sreedhanya Suresh secured the 410th rank nationwide in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2018. She was allotted the Kerala cadre—her home state. She achieved this success in her third attempt at the age of just 22.
After becoming an IAS officer, Sreedhanya Suresh has handled various responsibilities within the administrative service. She has served as the Assistant District Collector in Kozhikode and has also been posted in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram.
Now, as she takes charge as the District Collector of Kasaragod, Sreedhanya Suresh’s story of struggle and success is once again in the spotlight. Her journey—rising from a small village in Wayanad to the position of District Collector—serves as an inspiring example of hard work, self-confidence, and determination for the youth.
