Valluru Kranthi: From the Last Bench to the Frontline
A 2016-batch IAS officer, Valluru Kranthi is among the rare few who have ticked every box in a childhood dream list—NTSE scholar, IIT graduate, and IAS officer. Known for her clarity, composure, and consistency, Kranthi’s journey—from being the only girl in an all-boys IIT coaching campus to handling Telangana’s first COVID case as Municipal Commissioner of Karimnagar—has been one of silent strength and unwavering focus.
In a freewheeling interview with The Pioneer’s Naveena Ghanate, Kranthi opens up about childhood ambitions, civil services prep, love, motherhood, long-distance marriage, and how yoga and Arya—the toddler who changed her world—keep her centered in a life built on purpose.
All-Rounder in the Making
I was both studious and playful. I followed a disciplined routine—school, change, homework, and then games. I was labelled an all-rounder in school. I loved basketball, and I was even selected for a state-level tournament in Class 7, but couldn’t go because my mother didn’t want studies to be disrupted. I did well in studies too, consistently securing the first or second rank. I even topped district-level and state-level talent tests. Dance was another passion. I learnt dance in Class 5—Bharatanatyam—and as Municipal Commissioner, Karimnagar, I learnt Kuchipudi for six months. I learned classical dance briefly, but I gravitated more towards Bollywood and Western styles. I’ve always believed in having a creative outlet along with routine work. As a child, I had three goals: become a National Talent Search Examination scholar, get into IIT, and crack the IAS. I felt if I could even do two out of three, I would be happy. I did all three.
Liberal and Warm Upbringing
Hailing from Kurnool, my parents Dr. Rangareddy and Dr. Lakshmi are doctors, but they were never strict. They gave me a lot of freedom. I have a sister who is a doctor. My mother would always say, “As a woman, you should study well, get a good job—it’s important for your own self-confidence and to stand out in society.” That stayed with me. Since I was self-motivated, they didn’t pressure me. Looking back, my childhood was full of warmth and laughter. I studied up to Class 8 in a regular school. I was a friendly child with a close circle of 5–6 friends. We used to always grab the last bench—those were our spots. During intervals, we would sing and dance. I never got into serious trouble. Except once—during Holi, when we weren’t given a holiday, all of us mass-bunked. The next day, our principal reprimanded us. But that’s the most ‘naughty’ I got. I also turned vegetarian in Class 5. My entire family eats meat, but I just felt it wasn’t right to kill birds or animals. This decision was influenced by what I read—about Gandhi and other prominent people. It stayed with me. However, in Telangana, we get very good non-vegetarian food, and due to protein consciousness and food availability, now I eat both.
Intermediate Away from Home
Since my sister and father were doctors, there was no pressure from them to take up medicine. In fact, they suggested I take MPC—as if civil services is the ultimate goal, the graduation stream doesn’t matter. I also loved Maths, so MPC was the natural choice. I never liked the idea of dissections—cockroaches and frogs were compulsory back then. Once, I went to the government medical college with my mother and saw the anatomy lab and cadavers. That decided it for me—BiPC was not for me. I studied in Montessori High School up to 8th, I did my 9th and 10th in Bashyam, Kurnool, and then Intermediate at Narayana Junior College, Dilsukhnagar. I was homesick for the first month, but once some school friends joined me on campus, I adjusted well. In Intermediate first year, I was in an all-girls hostel and topped all the weekly competitive exams. They shifted me to an all-boys campus in 2nd year because the faculty there was better—especially for Physics, Chemistry, and Maths. I was the only girl in the entire campus, and in the hostel, there were long-term girls. Initially, it was tough, but I adjusted. I stayed in the hostel but attended classes at the boys’ college.
IIT Delhi and Singapore Chapter
I secured an AIR of 983 and joined IIT Delhi. I had hoped for Computer Science but didn’t know that you had to be in the top 200 or so. Still, I was thrilled. I chose IIT Delhi over IIT Madras, even though it was farther from home—I wanted to experience a different culture and learn Hindi. My parents were overjoyed but also apprehensive when they dropped me off. At IIT, I didn’t limit myself to academics. I was the girls’ lawn tennis captain, sports secretary for my hostel, and later, house secretary. I participated in dance events and other activities. I was doing okay in academics, but I really focused on all-round development. I got placed in Flipkart but didn’t join—I had already decided to prepare for the civil services. In my third year, I got selected for the Singapore Technologies Engineering scholarship, so they paid my entire academic fee for the four years and also sponsored this internship in Singapore for six weeks. So that was very good—going out on your own to another country, studying there, and working for a different company.
The Three-Attempt Journey
I began preparing for the civil services in my 4th year. My two career options were an MBA or IAS, and I chose IAS because it gave me a deeper sense of purpose. I cleared Indian Railway Traffic Services in my first attempt. I was disappointed, but I kept going. I joined and took an exemption from the foundation course and prepared again. In my second attempt, I got into the Revenue Service. Again, I felt slightly let down—I had improved my strategy, but still hadn’t made it to IAS. During my training in Nagpur, I appeared for the third attempt. I hadn’t prepared much for the interview because it came earlier than expected. I had assumed it would be scheduled in May, but it came in March. Still, thanks to my mains marks, I cleared IAS. I got allocated the Telangana cadre. My entire family was thrilled—I was the first IAS officer in our family.
Love on the Court
Training in LBSNAA was fantastic. Trekking, exposure to the interiors of the Himalayas—it was something else. You usually see Manali or hills from the outside. But when you trek, you see nature from within. I met my husband Ashish Sangwan during training at LBSNAA. He is my batchmate, now Collector, Kamareddy. We were playing basketball, and I accidentally broke his specs. I went to apologise, and that’s how we started talking. Though we both went to IIT Delhi, we hadn’t met before. We became friends, love blossomed, and eventually got married during the COVID pandemic second wave. At that time, I was the Commissioner of Karimnagar. We kept it simple—just three days’ leave, got married at my home in Kurnool with 10–15 close family members. It was peaceful, with no shopping, no pressure or relatives. My parents were clear that I should choose my own partner. They knew that for women in the IAS, finding a match becomes more complex as careers progress. He’s from Haryana and was posted in the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He chose to stay in the Telangana cadre after marriage so that at least one of us could be closer to home. We’ve managed our long-distance marriage through visits, festivals, and planned leaves. So far, we have never had a posting together.
Hitting the Ground Running
My field training was in Nirmal district for one year. The Collector advised me to visit departments in person instead of summoning officials to my office. That changed my approach—understanding their work from their environment made a difference. My first posting was as Special Officer in Mahabubnagar during the elections. After that, I became the Municipal Commissioner of Karimnagar. It was intense COVID time. We had to keep people indoors, contain the spread, and at the same time, execute Smart City works. Since roads were empty, we laid roads and built parks quickly. By the time lockdown ended, people got better spaces.
Pandemic on Day One
That’s when Telangana’s first COVID case was detected—just 2–3 weeks into my posting. The case brought national media attention. People even joked, “Madam came, and so did COVID.” It was an overwhelming time. We had to control movement, implement quarantine rules, and simultaneously push through Smart City projects. One incident that stands out—there was an isolation centre where complaints were coming in. My staff assured me everything was fine. But when I visited, I found they weren’t entering due to fear. I wore a PPE kit and went inside myself. That boosted their confidence, and they began doing their duties. Unfortunately, one of my most efficient staff contracted COVID and passed away. I used to video call him every day and assure him he’d be fine. After he passed, we ensured his wife received a compassionate appointment.
Districts, Development and Diplomacy
After Karimnagar, I was posted as Collector in Jogulamba Gadwal. It’s a backward district with significant focus on irrigation projects. We had to handle land acquisition with care. There was one reservoir project stalled for over 7–10 years. We restarted it by involving local representatives and ensuring proper compensation. From there, I was posted in Sangareddy as Collector. It’s like mini-India—urban, rural, tribal, industrial. It had everything—630 gram panchayats, 12 municipalities, 3 GHMC circles. I learned a lot. We had politically significant leaders, but with good communication, there were no issues. Recently, I am posted as Managing Director of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) and FAC Director, Mines.
Arya, Yoga and Everything in Between
I became a mother while I was Collector of Gadwal. I was pregnant on duty, travelling for field inspections. My doctor and mother were worried, but I wanted to work till 36 weeks and took leave after. I was happiest when my daughter Arya was born, and she is now three. Parenting has been fulfilling. I’ve never had uninterrupted sleep, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m fortunate—either my mother or mother-in-law stays with me. On weekends, I take her out to parks, swimming, or play zones. Sundays are for rest, family time, and reconnecting. Fitness and wellness are important to me. I’m a certified yoga trainer—I did a 200-hour teacher training course. I don’t teach, but I practise regularly. If I don’t have time for yoga, I go for walks or play tennis. It helps me stay balanced.
Rapid Fire
Happiest moment: When Arya was born
Sad moment: IAS preparation phase when I had to undergo small surgeries
Favourite food: Homemade dal and lemon rice
Favourite actor: Mahesh Babu
Favourite actress: Sai Pallavi
Favourite movie: Baahubali
Favourite place to travel: Goa
Favourite song (recent): “Hey Rangule” from Amaran
Last book you read: Secrets of Divine Love
Quote that you use often: “If you want something with 100% determination, the entire universe will help you get it.”
Best advice received: “Always have faith in people. Believe in humanity.” — from my school maths teacher
Pets: I gifted my husband with a golden retriever
Dream: I want to spend more time trekking deep into the Himalayas
