Youngest IAS officer Ansar Shaikh clears UPSC at 21, inspiring millions with his journey from a small village to government service. (Image Credit: Only IAS)
Ansar Shaikh has become India's youngest IAS officer at the tender age of 21, having cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on his first attempt. His achievement has encouraged aspirants all over the nation that determination and hard work can beat all odds.
Born and brought up in Shelgaon, a humble village within Maharashtra's Jalna district, Ansar was brought up in a poverty-stricken family. His father toiled as a rickshaw driver and struggled with alcoholism, while his mother worked on fields and suffered domestic violence. In spite of all the adversities, Ansar was determined to pursue education.
Ansar Shaikh achieved a good 91% in his 12th standard, setting the stage for further studies. He subsequently passed Political Science from Fergusson College, Pune, with 73% marks. Despite his family struggling financially and socially his brother dropping out of school to work in a garage and his sisters being married off early on Ansar stuck to his goals. He would study late at night under poor circumstances, demonstrating exceptional determination.
With a year of intense preparation along with coaching guidance, Ansar passed the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2016 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 361. Now, he works as an Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in West Bengal, leaving a positive impact through his bureaucratic services and motivating younger candidates from the same backgrounds.
Ansar Shaikh's success is a shining example that even the most testing situations can be overcome through sheer perseverance, grit, and determination. From Maharashtra's rural background to India's corridors of power, his is a rags-to-riches story that proves the redemptive power of education, self-confidence, and single-minded effort in pursuing one's passion. Today, he inspires students and youngsters all over the nation through motivational lectures and mentorship camps.
