Chennai, January 10, 2026 – In the mist-shrouded hills of Yelagiri, where the Malayali tribe has long navigated the twin burdens of isolation and inequality, one woman's unyielding resolve is etching a new chapter in India's tribal empowerment narrative. V. Sripathy, now 25, has not only shattered glass ceilings but forged an unbreakable path for her community. As the first woman from Tamil Nadu's Malayali tribe to don the robes of a civil judge, her ascent from a humble hamlet to the hallowed halls of justice stands as a testament to grit, sacrifice, and the quiet revolution brewing in the nation's forgotten corners.
Sripathy's odyssey began in the verdant yet unforgiving terrain of Thuvinjikuppam village, a speck on the map bordering a reserved forest in Tiruvannamalai district. Born the eldest of three siblings to S. Kaliappan, a daily-wage farmer eking out a living from rain-fed fields, and K. Malliga, a homemaker, she grew up amid the rhythms of tribal life – where access to education was a luxury, and dreams often dissolved in the face of poverty. The Malayali tribe, one of Tamil Nadu's 36 recognized Scheduled Tribes comprising over 5.5 lakh members, predominantly inhabits the Eastern Ghats' hill tracts like Jawadhu and Yelagiri. Plagued by socio-economic disparities, low literacy rates hovering around 60%, and limited opportunities, the community has historically been sidelined, with women bearing the brunt of early marriages and domestic drudgery.
Yet, Sripathy's parents, defying these odds, prioritized her schooling. The family migrated to Athanavoor village in Yelagiri Hills for better prospects, enrolling her at the local St. Charles Higher Secondary School. "Education was our only weapon against uncertainty," Kaliappan recalls in interviews, his voice laced with pride. Sripathy excelled, topping her class and harboring an early fascination with law – inspired by tales of Ambedkar's fight for the marginalized. In 2018, she secured a seat at the prestigious Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College in Chennai, a 250-km journey from home that symbolized her first leap into the unknown. Funded by scholarships and family scrimping, she immersed herself in legal studies, emerging with a law degree in 2022.
But triumph was no straight path. Married at 21 to S. Venkatesan, a fellow villager and steadfast supporter, Sripathy balanced domestic life with her ambitions. The pivotal moment came in late 2023: just two days after giving birth to her daughter, she defied medical advice and the pull of new motherhood to travel to Madurai for the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Civil Judge (Junior) recruitment exam. "I held my baby in one arm and my notes in the other, whispering promises of a better world," she later shared, her eyes gleaming with that unquenchable fire. The grueling three-stage process – prelims, mains, and viva voce – tested her mettle, but in February 2024, results heralded her as the 147th rank holder among 245 selected candidates, making history as the first from the Malayali tribe to crack the code.
Appointed as a civil judge in Kariapatti, Virudhunagar district, Sripathy now presides over cases that once seemed worlds away from her hillside home – from property disputes to family matters. Her courtroom, she insists, is an extension of her roots: "I see my people in every petitioner – the landless farmer, the silenced widow. My duty is to decode the law for them, in their language, so rights aren't just words on paper." In a state where tribal representation in judiciary remains abysmally low – less than 1% despite affirmative quotas – her milestone amplifies calls for systemic reforms, including dedicated tribal legal aid cells and enhanced coaching for aspirants from hill communities.
The feat has reverberated far beyond Tamil Nadu's borders, reigniting viral acclaim two years on. Social media buzz, fueled by fresh shares from platforms like Instagram and Facebook, has amassed millions of views, with users hailing her as "the Draupadi of modern justice." Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who congratulated her in 2024, reiterated his government's commitment during a recent assembly session: "Under the Dravidian model, we've reserved 69% for locals and prioritized Tamil-medium first-generation graduates like Sripathy. Her success is our collective victory – a blueprint for empowering 8% of India's population that is tribal." Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin echoed the sentiment, praising her "perseverance that rivals any athlete's sprint."
Sripathy's story also spotlights the transformative role of state initiatives. The TNPSC's relaxed eligibility for tribal candidates, coupled with free coaching under the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, bridged gaps that once loomed insurmountable. Yet, challenges persist: Yelagiri's remoteness means spotty internet for online prep, and cultural stigmas around women's higher education linger. "Many girls here drop out after Class 10," Sripathy notes, vowing to mentor a cohort of 20 tribal law aspirants via virtual sessions. Her husband, Venkatesan, a government school teacher, adds, "She's not just our judge; she's our compass."
As India's tribal populace – over 10 crore strong, per the 2011 Census – grapples with land rights erosion and climate vulnerabilities in hill ecosystems, Sripathy emerges as a beacon. Advocacy groups like the Tamil Nadu Tribal Peoples' Association urge replication: "One Sripathy inspires a thousand; scale this with policy, and we'll rewrite destinies en masse." For now, in Kariapatti's modest court, a young mother-turned-jurist wields the gavel not with authority alone, but with empathy forged in Yelagiri's hills. "Justice isn't blind," she says softly. "It's rooted – and mine are deep in the soil of my tribe." Her journey, far from over, promises to till fresh grounds for empowerment, one verdict at a time.
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