T.N. Candidate from Madurai Secures AIR 226 in Civil Services Exam R. Mahandi, a candidate from Madurai, has achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 226 in the Civil Services Examination 2025, according to the Union Public Service Commission’s announcement of the final results on March 6. Mahandi, who was trained at the Shankar IAS Academy’s Madurai branch, is now among the top performers in the competitive exam, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging in India. The candidate, who pursued the General Studies Prelims Cum Mains (GSPCM) program at the institute, credited her success to her dedication, disciplined preparation, and unwavering commitment to excelling in the examination. Her achievement highlights the rigorous training and focus required to secure a high rank in the civil services exam, which is known for its intense competition and comprehensive syllabus. Mahandi’s rank places her in the elite group of candidates who have cleared the exam, which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and serves as the gateway to prestigious positions such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS). The result underscores the growing prominence of coaching institutes in preparing aspirants for such high-stakes exams, with institutions like Shankar IAS Academy playing a significant role in shaping successful candidates. The UPSC’s announcement of the final results marks the culmination of months of preparation for thousands of aspirants across the country. The exam, which tests candidates on subjects such as history, geography, polity, economics, and current affairs, is designed to evaluate both general knowledge and analytical skills.#r_mahandi #shankar_ias_academy #madurai #union_public_service_commission #upsc

‘Thaai Kizhavi’ movie review: Radikaa Sarathkumar’s masala comedy of gold standards signals a commanding new filmmaking voice Radikaa Sarathkumar’s film, produced by Sivakarthikeyan, is a riotous rural comedy that blends soul, style, and subversion, marking Sivakumar Murugesan as a formidable new force in Tamil mainstream cinema. The debut film of the director, Thaai Kizhavi, is described as a masterclass in balancing humor, emotional depth, and progressive themes, offering a fresh perspective to the genre. The story revolves around Pavunuthaayi, an elderly woman in Karumathur, whose strict adherence to tradition and authority over her family sets the stage for a series of comedic and heartfelt events. Her sons, each with their own quirks and flaws, return to their hometown not out of concern for their ailing mother but because she has vowed to leave them no inheritance until her death. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the sons discover that their mother has secretly hidden 160 sovereigns of gold, sparking a chaotic quest to locate it. Sivakumar Murugesan’s direction is praised for its seamless integration of humor and sincerity. The film’s opening introduces Pavunuthaayi as a figure of both reverence and ridicule, her weekly trips to Madurai for gold transactions becoming a source of town gossip. Her daughter Suruli, overshadowed by her mother’s dominance, is portrayed with subtle nuance, while the sons’ comedic misadventures—ranging from Vijayan’s obsession with trivial monetary gains to Uppiliyan’s Kamal Haasan fandom—add layers of absurdity. The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance slapstick humor with moments of genuine emotional resonance, such as the strained relationships between the characters and their evolving dynamics.#madurai #radikaa_sarathkumar #sivakarthikeyan #sivakumar_murugesan #karumathur