Zoho co-founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu highlighted the career of senior IAS officer Raju Narayan Swamy, recalling his journey from an IIT topper to a civil servant known for dabbling in corruption.
In a post on X Vemba shared that Swamy was his classmate at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and soon stood out for his academic achievements.
“Raju Narayana Swamy was my classmate in IIT Madras. He also had a very high rank in IIT JEE 1985, my recollection was AIR 10 and he was from a small town in Kerala and most of the top people were from big cities so he stood out,” Vembu wrote.
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Reflecting on the career choices of his peers, he added, “Most of our classmates – including me – went abroad. He chose to stay in India.”
Check out the viral post here:
From IIT Topper to UPSC Rank 1
Again shared by Vemba, the post traces Swamy’s academic and professional journey. After excelling in engineering, Swamy secured the All India 1st rank in the Civil Services Examination in 1991 and joined the Indian Administrative Service.
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According to the post, he turned down the opportunity to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and chose to serve in India instead. He added that Swamy believed his education was supported by public funds and felt a responsibility to give back to society.
32 transfers in 34 years
During his tenure in Kerala, Swamy became known for handling sensitive cases, including exposing alleged illegal land deals linked to influential figures. The action reportedly led to the minister’s resignation – and another officer’s transfer.
In a career spanning 34 years, Swamy was transferred 32 times, according to the post. At one point, he is said to have written to the government asking why he was being paid without being assigned meaningful responsibilities.
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In 2025, the Supreme Court of India dismissed his appeal against the denial of his promotion to the post of Chief Secretary.
Outside of administration: Author and scientist
Apart from his administrative work, Swamy also built a parallel career in academics and literature. He holds a doctorate in law, is the author of more than 30 books and has won the Sahitya Akademi award.
His multi-faceted career has contributed to public interest in his story, especially in light of the challenges he allegedly faced within the system.
The Internet is responding
Vembu’s post struck a chord online with many users reflecting on the themes of service, sacrifice and integrity.
One user wrote, “Staying rooted and serving one’s country is the definition of true success. Personalities like Raju Narayana Swamy ji and your sincere appreciation for him are a great inspiration for today’s generation. An incredible blend of simplicity and brilliance.”
Another shared a personal anecdote: “Thanks for sharing. It reminds me of my uncle, an IITian from the same generation in the 70s, who also chose to stay. He used to preach a simple discipline: keep doing the same thing until it becomes standard practice.” The user went on to describe how small habits instilled at an early age can affect long-term behavior.
A third comment read: “A perfect example of sacrificing one’s own life for the nation. Had someone less intellectually capable occupied his seat, hundreds of millions of public funds would have been looted. India needs such civil servants, not those drunk on arrogant power.”
Another user added: “A great man who wanted to serve his country. Few are willing to leave an opportunity for greener pastures to serve their country.”
