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Published: February 6, 2025 1:44 PM IST 
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The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most challenging exams in India, with lakhs of aspirants competing for just a few hundred positions. Only a proper combination of hard work, guidance and tenacity can help UPSC aspirants crack the IAS exam. While many candidates with access to top coaching and resources struggle to clear it, some individuals overcome significant hardships to achieve success. One such inspiring story is that of IAS officer Ansar Ahmad Shaikh, who defied all odds to clear the UPSC exam in 2016 on his very first attempt. He cleared the exam at the age of just 21, making him the youngest IAS officer in the country.
Ansar comes from a humble background. His father, Yunus Shaikh Ahmed, worked as an auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, while his mother worked in the fields to support the family. Growing up, education was never a priority in his household, and his family struggled to earn enough for their daily needs.
Ansar’s brother had to stop attending school in the seventh grade and start working at a garage to help maintain the family financially. Furthermore, his sister was married at the youthful age of 15. Despite these great obstacles, Ansar stayed consistent and committed to his studies, ultimately clearing one of the world’s most difficult exams.
Despite financial hardships, Ansar was a bright student. He always worked hard to gain knowledge and score well in exams. In his 10th board exams, he secured 91% marks, and later, he graduated with a degree in Political Science from Ferguson College, Pune, scoring 73%.
“Many people give excuses that they are poor. But remember poverty has nothing to do with success. You should be hardworking and determined towards your goal. Your background doesn’t matter much,” IAS Ansar Shaikh said in one of the interviews.
There was a time when his father wanted to take him out of school due to financial difficulties, but Ansar remained determined to continue his studies. His dedication paid off when he cleared the UPSC exam in 2016 with an All India Rank (AIR) of 361.
He is presently serving as the ADM in Cooch Behar, West Bengal.
