Passing competitive examinations to secure a government job is a significant challenge for many. But for Palakkad native S Aparna, even securing high ranks in several PSC tests is a walk in the park. She has already found a place on the rank lists of around 10 tests conducted buy the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), but the brilliant woman is continuing her studies to best more tests. An MSc and BEd holder, the young woman’s latest achievement is the first rank in the list for upper primary (UP) school assistants in her native district.

Aparna's superb show in PSC examinations proves that a government job is within reach for candidates who engage in focused preparations. Wife of Satheesh Kumar of Mamilikkad, Peruvembu in Palakkad, Aparna's name regularly features on several PSC rank lists. The lists include those of secretariat assistant, Bevco assistant, university assistant, lower-division clerk, sales assistant and last-grade servants in Palakkad district, among others. She has secured high ranks too in all the lists.

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Aparna's first posting was as an assistant in the University of Kerala after making it into a PSC rank list. She utilised a facility for inter-university transfer to move to the Agricultural University and is working there at present. Though she is now likely to get an advice memo from the PSC for UP school assistant, Aparna is undecided whether to take up that job.

Aparna says it was systematic studies spread over two to three years that helped her secure top ranks in several PSC tests. She had prepared a time table and followed it. A regular reader of newspapers, Aparna went through publications like 'Thozhil Veedhi' and 'Competition Winner' also. In addition, she attended coaching classes at Focus Academy in Palakkad.

With an MSc in Chemistry, BEd and SET qualification, Aparna wishes to become a higher secondary school teacher and is continuing her efforts in this direction.

Aparna's husband Satheesh Kumar is an upper-division clerk with the Town Planning Department in Palakkad. The couple has a son, Sathwik, who is an LKG student.